Tortoise Shell ? Bakelite?

[Erin Wells]

Hello all!

I have posted about Bakelite here before and was so pleased with all the info! I searched the forum and didn't find a post about Tortoise Shell jewelry.

There is a seller that is offering Tortoise Shell Bakelite Earrings. They are really great looking and I would love to wear them, but my question is, "Is that a thing?" Was jewelry made of tortoise shell or bakelite, or tortoise shell colored bakelite? I hope this makes sense. Any info is appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Linn]

Bakelite and similar plastics such as Celluloid were made to imitate other materials so, yes, there is Bakelite that looks like tortoise shell. There were also items made of real tortoise shell when it was legal. This bracelet in my personal collection was made to imitate Tortoise.

 

[Erin Wells]

Thank you, Linn! I knew you’d come through for me! Beautiful. Bracelet! Do you know what era they made the tortoiseshell Bakelite?