Definitions for "Tortoise Shell"
Jewelry carved, molded, inlaid, polished, welded, and cut from the hard protective outer covering of the Hawksbill turtle and the Loggerhead turtle in a blond, translucent amber or dark, opaque reddish amber color.
A ware in imitation of tortoise shell obtained by oxides of manganese, copper, antimony, and ochre yellow sponged on over the dry clay, the colors blending in an interesting way under a smooth glaze when fired.
True tortoise shell is the actual shell of a tortoise, widely used in the 19th century for jewelry and decorative hair combs. Today, however, the use of real tortoise shells has been banned. Instead, plastic is used to imitate its coloration and decorative effect.