Let's explore the origins of round tortoiseshell glasses and how they are made today. We'll find out who should wear them and share some tips on how to find the right match for you. We'll also suggest what to pair it with. You'll see why this intricate design has been so popular over the centuries.
What are tortoise-shell glasses made of?
If you're an animal lover, there's no need to worry. Tortoiseshell is no longer made of real tortoiseshell. This material used to be made from turtle shells (rather than tortoises), but fortunately, this practice has since been banned.
Back in the distant past, tortoiseshell was first used by the ancient Greeks to make Musical Instruments. The Romans also used it to add tortoise-shell veneers to their furniture and other household items.
According to archaeological evidence, the earliest round tortoiseshell glasses were probably made around the Middle Ages. During the Renaissance, tortoise-shell glasses, often mixed with baleen, were considered the pinnacle of elegance. Centuries later, they were further popularized in the 1950s and 1960s by celebrities such as Buddy Holly and Marilyn Monroe.
Until the 1970s, the shell was mostly made from the beautiful marbled Hawksbill sea turtle shell. Unfortunately, this turtle was hunted on a massive scale in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is now one of the most endangered species. Thankfully, the turtle shell trade was finally banned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1977.
Hoxby turtles are still sometimes illegally hunted to make genuine tortoiseshell products. But the tortoise-shell glasses worn by celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Oprah, Johnny Depp, and Gwen Stephanie are likely made of animal-friendly cellulose acetate.
The cellulose used to make glasses is usually derived from cotton or wood pulp and is more durable and flexible than real tortoiseshell. Cellulose is made into sheets and is dyed in various colors in the turtle shell pattern. These are diced, mixed, and melted again to form a Mosaic of colors, and finally rolled into a piece of tortoiseshell acetate.
The components of your round tortoiseshell glasses are then cut out of them and sometimes combined with a metal accent. The unique color pattern and the way the acetate is manufactured means that no two pairs of round tortoiseshell glasses are the same.
What color do tortoise-shell frames come in?
As you may be aware by now, tortoiseshells are not so much one color as a combination of many. The classic brown turtle is a warm, mottled mixture of neutral hues such as brown, black, and amber that looks a lot like the original shell of the Hawkpit turtle.
Nowadays, however, the definition of turtle shell has expanded to include different patterns - including big cat prints such as leopard or tiger prints - as well as different colors. You can now buy round tortoiseshell glasses in blue, green, grey, and even pink and white.
Tortoise-shell glasses can be matte or glossy, depending on the look you're going for.
Who should wear tortoise-shell frames?
One of the great things about a turtle skeleton is that it fits almost anyone. Naturally warm tones complement most skin tones, hair, and eye colors, making them a great alternative to solid colors if you want to branch out a little. Depending on the style, they are suitable for both intellectuals and more creative personality types.
Many tortoiseshell glasses are unisex and can please both men and women. They are neutral while still adding individuality and allowing you to express your personality.
The wearing method of round tortoiseshell glasses
Here again, the versatility of tortoiseshell comes to the fore. Tortoise-shell glasses come in a variety of different colors and can be worn with everything from casual or professional to party wear.
Pair it with jeans and a printed T-shirt for a walk in the park or shopping with friends. Put on a monochrome suit and gold earrings for a job presentation. Add animal prints for a stylish look. Or use them to add subtle sophistication to an evening gown.
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