tortoise shell

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Scope note
Material made from the thinly-sliced horny plates covering the shells of some turtles and tortoises; the finished material is finely colored gold and brown, translucent, and glossy. It was popular in the 19th-century for inlays, jewelry, hair combs, and other ornaments, but its use is banned today. It differs from "turtle shell" in how it is worked and in the finished appearance; tortoise shell is worked upon like horn, and is usually softened or rendered plastic by placing in boiling water. The most common sources of tortoiseshell are Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), which provides the finest scales, the Loggerhead (Thalassochelys caretta ) and the Green turtle (Chelone mydas).
tortoise shell
Accepted term: 18-Nov-2024