The ability to use heat for shaping made tortoiseshell an ideal jewelry material in the 19th century. Plastic hadn't been developed yet, but tortoiseshell (from the Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles) had been in use since ancient Rome. These Victorian earrings feature beautifully mottled concentric circles suspended from half round tops.
MATERIALS: 10k gold (tests), tortoiseshell
AGE: c. 1880
CONDITION: Very good
SIZE: 2 3/8" length measured from the top of the ear wire, 1 1/4" diameter