Tortoiseshell – Harry & Co Jewellery

Uses and Applications of Tortoiseshell

Tortoiseshell was widely used in ancient times in the North and in Asia.
It was used in the manufacture of combs, small boxes, frames, and inlays in furniture.
Tortoiseshell was also used for spectacles, guitar picks, and knitting needles.
Manufacturers and consumers were attracted to its beautiful appearance, durability, and warmth against the skin.
Craftsmen in various Asian countries have perfected the art of working with tortoiseshell.

In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES.
The material was often imitated using stained horn and plastic-like cellulose acetate.
Synthetic substitutes for tortoiseshell, such as Delrin, have been used for guitar picks.
Brands like Tortoloid and Tor-tis offer synthetic alternatives to tortoiseshell.
These substitutes provide similar aesthetics without harming endangered species.

Tortoiseshell has been used since ancient times, including in the construction of the ancient Greek lyre.
Wealthy ancient Romans favored inlaid veneers of tortoiseshell for furniture and small items.
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea distinguished between different species of tortoiseshell, with hawksbill being highly regarded.
André Charles Boulle introduced marquetry combining thin inlays of tortoiseshell with wood and metal, a style known as Boulle work.
Piqué work, the inlay of precious metals and jewels into tortoiseshell, was popular for luxury objects.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tortoiseshell.
A 2001 article highlighted the threat to Japanese tradition due to the tortoiseshell ban.
The book 'Corso di Scienze Naturali a uso delle Scuole Complementari' provides information on tortoiseshell.
CITES website mentions multilateral agreements for the conservation of hawksbill turtles, a source of tortoiseshell.
An article in the New York Times discusses the deterioration of cultural treasures made of plastic, including tortoiseshell items.
Lionel Casson's article 'Periplus Maris Erythraei: Notes on the Text' provides insights into tortoiseshell.
The book 'Lécaille [Tortoiseshell]' by Lison de Caunes and Jacques Morabito explores the subject in detail.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/tortoiseshell
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoiseshell
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2141546
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0f2jw5