Tortoise

Dylanlawless1

What would tortoise shell picks be worth, and is it even legal to sell them? As far as i know previous made antiques like horn and shell are ok to trade if it's made before becoming protected.

Dylanlawless1

right seems i have found the answer myself
Sales of any tortoiseshell guitar picks or items made after 1947 is illegal. Here’s what the UK CITES management authority has to say on this:

“… worked items made from tortoiseshell that acquired before 1 June 1947 do not require Article 10 certificates to allow them to be used for any commercial purpose – which would include sale. However, if a pre-1947 worked item is subsequently re-worked after 1 June 1947, then the derogation would not apply and an individual Article 10 certificate would be required. Anyone selling such re-worked items without an Article 10 certificate would be committing an offence under …. Regulations 1997 and, if convicted, could face up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.


Roy Pitt
Enforcement Co-ordinator
Animal Health Agency
UK CITES Management Authority

I ask because today i found a shell brush and comb, both thick and fairly large for 65 euro, so i think they're either Celluloid and overpriced or else real and under priced. Not sure what to do, am i right saying that if they are real, the seller should have the paperwork for it?

BluesBop Harry

I worked with tortoise shell before. If you can scrape a little piece and burn it you should get an organic smell, the same kind you get when burning a fingernail. If it's celluloid you'd get a plastic-burning smell.
If you do have tortoise shell and want some tips on how to work it send me a PM and I'd be happy to help.

Dylanlawless1

cheers, thanks very much, will do. made a fairly nice one from a synthetic but took a long while because i was just experimenting. If i get shell id like to know more