Tortoise shell

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Refractive Index : 1.550 – 0.010

Optical Characteristic : SR

Specific Gravity : SG 1.29 + 0.06 – 0.03

Formula : organic protein material

Crystal System : Organic

Variety/Species : All

Species/Group : Tortoise shell

Birefringence : None

Dispersion : None

Hardness : 2.5

Toughness : Fair

Ultrasonic : Never

Steam : Never

UV Long : Inert to moderate

UV Short : Inert to moderate

Pleochroism : None

Strength : N/A

Pleochroism Colors : None

Heat : Burns easly with a burnt hair odour

Acids : Avoid all chemicals and acids

Light : May darken with age

Polish Luster : Resinous to waxy

Fracture : Uneven to splintery

Fracture Luster : Dull

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Organic materials

Enhancements : Dyeing

Cleavage : None

Color Range : Mottled yellow, brown, occasionally, white, brownish, whitish, blackish

Transparency : Semitransparent to translucent

Phenomena : None

Separations : Tortoise shell from-
Chalcedony : Appearance, birefriegence, SG

Plastic : Appearence, magnification, hot point (possibly), RI(possibly)

Identifying Characteristics and information

The shell of the hawksbill sea tutlie is the source of turtle shell. Availability is limited because Hawksbill turtles are on the endangered species list. Mottled coloration, magnification shows numerous spherical particles. Has a burnt hair odor to hot point.

Spectral Data
Not diagnostic

Trade Names and Misnomers
Tortoise shell

Tags: Tortoise shell