Who Is Tortoise Shell?

Tortoiseshell or tortoise shell is a material produced from the shells of the larger species of tortoise and turtle, mainly the hawksbill sea turtle, which is a critically endangered species according to the IUCN Red List largely because of its exploitation for this trade.

What is the use of tortoise shell?

Tortoise shell has long been used as an ornamental gem material for art objects, jewelry, and personal items such as combs and eyeglass frames. Though humans have used tortoise shell for thousands of years, the material reached the height of its popularity during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.

What is faux tortoise shell made of?

Well before that point, however, less expensive imitations were developed. The first faux tortoiseshell pieces were made of celluloid, a material whose history dates all the way back to the 1860s (see Vintage Plastic Jewelry: What It Is and Isn't for an overview of the different synthetics).