It's shell-like, maybe, a bit pearly (3)
I believe the answer is:
ear
'it's shell-like' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a bit pearly' is the wordplay.
'a bit' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'bit of' mean this).
'EAR' is hidden in the letters of 'pearly'.
'maybe' is the link.
(Other definitions for ear that I've seen before include "A corny bit" , "That makes sense" , "Spike (wheat)" , "Lug (colloq.)" , "Part of cereal plant containing seed" .)