The History of Tortoiseshell Frames

Just like the name suggests, tortoiseshell was made from?shells of tortoises and turtles. That was, until a few decades ago. Now, tortoiseshell is made from anything but. Usually, the hawksbill sea turtle was used to make tortoiseshell frames because of its large size, color, and usability. The tortoiseshell displays a distinctive pattern unmatched across the world, so much so that even animals are named after the design.

Earliest Historical Use

Tortoiseshell was used in ancient times; by Greeks to make their musical instruments called Chelys or Lyre. The Romans used tortoiseshell to craft their furniture like couches for dining among its other usages. Hawksbill shell was considered to be the best source of tortoiseshell among all.

King James II who was the King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland in 1685 wore spectacles made of silver and tortoiseshell that still looks fit?to be worn by a king. He is among the very first historical figures to wear a pair of tortoiseshell glasses and certainly not the last.

Ban of Tortoiseshell Use

It took centuries to ban the use of tortoiseshell in products, and that included its use in glasses. In 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species banned its trade. This gave a much-needed push to an already rising industry of making glasses in tortoiseshell patterns but with plastic and acetate.

Craftsmen in?Japan say there’s no substitute?for tortoiseshell, especially for something worn close to the skin. But, since Hawksbill was an endangered species, its use needed to stop.

Tortoiseshell Today

You could say there has been no effect on the demand for tortoiseshell glasses, only a positive one if any. That tells you it’s more about the look and style rather than the feel of it. Most eyewear designer brands put on a collection every year that includes a tortoiseshell-styled pair of eyeglasses more often than not. The frames look delightful. Why? Well, all you have to do is look into its style of making. A cellulose acetate sheet dipped into tortoiseshell colors is carved to make as many pieces of frames as possible. That means two pairs of frames can't be the same because the pattern is unique. That’s one of the things that people like about tortoiseshell glasses.

In Justice League: The Snyder Cut, we saw Jeremy Irons who played the role of Alfred donning a pair of magnificent tortoiseshell glasses. From celebrities to sports stars, we have seen people from all walks of life flashing a magisterial pair. A pair of tortoiseshell glasses is a must-have in your collection.

Check out Chashma’s collection and see for yourself.