This is a narrow Mitrid (W/L of illustrated specimens is 0.26 to 0.30) with the spire very slightly greater than the aperture length (S/L = 0.51 to 0.56). Spire sides are almost straight and there are about 7 convex teleoconch whorls. The shape and sculpture of teleoconch whorls is quite complex, more so in plate 302, figure A when greatly magnified. The major, abapical portion of the penultimate whorl has almost straight sides with two higher, convex, cords with lower cords about half the width below and above the major cords and in between the major cords. There is a larger cord at the adapical part of the straight section that is raised from the straight area. The shoulder on the left side has two segments defined by three major spiral cords. The area between these major shoulder cords is straight and each angled differently with an intermediate spiral thread. The shoulders on the left have a different slope and appearance from the right side. The dorsal notch is prominent. The aperture has a triangular posterior and widens slowly to the anterior. The outer lip is slightly concave centrally on some specimens with the slope reflected adaxially. The transition of the outer lip to the anterior canal is moderately sharp. The columella is straight with the anterior canal portion angled and straight with a sharp to rounded tip. There are about 4 significant columellar plaits, the posterior two larger and more separated. The fasciole bulges convexly. The shell color is white with brown-red dots and short dashes on top of spiral cords.

The species is similar to D. granatina (Lamarck), in size, sculpture and color-pattern but differs in its slender, fusiform-elongate and less inflated shape, roundly subangulate and more numerous whorls (7-8 in D. granatina and 9-11 in D. gloriola), and short aperture in relation to the spire. The spire whorls have a broad, reddish-brown band and the body whorl 2 broad bands of the same color. In addition, the spiral cords are speckled with numerous white and blackish-brown spots.

Range - From Indonesia to Japan and Papua New Guinea. In coral sand, from the intertidal zone to a depth of 37 m.