What does the cryptic crossword clue "Religious people gathering shells, essentially as ornaments (6)" mean?

The definition is "ornaments". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). EL (synonym="‘sh EL ls essentially’") in JEWS (synonym="‘religious people’") = JEWELS; definition: "ornaments" The answer is JEWELS.

Religious people gathering shells, essentially as ornaments (6)

Guardian Cryptic #28638 | 4 Down | 2021-12-27 flower

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