Haliotis speciosa: Shell small to medium sized (to 79 mm: Buzz Owen collection), oval, medium weight, little arched, little convex. Spire little elevated, somewhat visible in ventral view. Holes medium sized, round to oval, somewhat elevated, usually 4-9 open. Dorsal surface with fine, somewhat irregularly spaced spiral cords, with a subtle spiral depression a little closer to the row of holes than to suture. Color dull orange, red, brown, and sepia, with blotches of white, cream, or green; occasionally with finely mottled spiral bands; some specimens unicolor. Columella narrow. Nacre bright with steel-blue sheen. No muscle scar.

Haliotis speciosa: Haliotis parva from South Africa is somewhat rounder, has more elevated holes, and more pronounced spiral sculpture.

Haliotis speciosa: South Africa: Cape Town to western Transkei.