What exactly is shell briar?

[Cool Breeze]

.......If you are talking Dunhill pipes:
- Shell briar is a line that is sandblasted with a dark stain.
- Root briar is a line that is smooth with a light stain.

So it's more about the finish and not about the actual briar?
I suppose with the unfinished look, they could use the less attractive wood to make them and use the top notch, more aesthetically pleasing wood for the smooth. I guess that could explain the price difference.

That way both would still be the same actual real world quality.