Thread: A primer on genuine tortoiseshell

very great thread and add on guys !!!

Thanks! I've got a couple more examples en route, I'll put them up as they come in.

Here's one that just came in. French, early 1800s.

Here's one on ebay currently that the seller claims is genuine tortoise.







Anyone want to have a go at it? Real or fake? What material if fake? How did you tell?

I will venture Fake
Crisp lines
second pick color not through
third pick looks to show blond color at chip in dark area.

Best guess dyed horn...

Originally Posted by pfries

I will venture Fake
Crisp lines
third pick color not through
fourth pick looks to show blond color at chip in dark area.

Best guess dyed horn...

Fourth pic? i must be missing one! nevertheless i say fake as well, looks like surface stained, small chunk missing in pic 1 shows darker color only on surface. +1 for dyed horn.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Fourth pic? i must be missing one! nevertheless i say fake as well, looks like surface stained, small chunk missing in pic 1 shows darker color only on surface. +1 for dyed horn.

LOL fixed had the last one from the post above in my view and I was getting help from my four year old..... 2nd and 3d.....

Originally Posted by pfries

Best guess dyed horn...

Bingo. This one is dyed horn, for all the reasons you guys found. The edges are sharp, the colors are a little off, and the dark colors don't penetrate. It is also late English and has collars (though it has been restored so hard to say on that point). Once you've seen a good amount of the dyed horn, even good ones like this jump out right away as faux. Good eyes!

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

and has collars (though it has been restored so hard to say on that point).

This is one of the reasons the last thing I look at when eyeing vintage are the scales, not to mention you can change them just as easily.

Thanks for all the great info ScienceGuy