The shells of these quite common cowries reach on average of length, with a minimum size of and a maximum size of . The surface of the shell is smooth and shiny, the colors usually range from pale brown to dark brown, with numerous small yellowish spots. The base and the margins are purple (hence the common name), while the teeth are commonly white. In the living cowries the mantle is bright red or purplish, with quite long and slightly tree-shaped sensorial papillae. The lateral flaps of the mantle may hide completely the shell surface and may be quickly retracted into the shell opening.
Naria poraria is quite similar to
Naria albuginosa, but in the second cowry the purple color of the base is paler. ==Distribution==