On the subject of tortoiseshell eyeglass frames, which are now made of plastic: There are many sellers of cheap ($5-$10) unbranded sunglasses that seem in all structural matters to be 90% the equal of brands like Ray-Ban, whose glasses cost $100-200. However, the cheapo sunglasses seem unable to make a decent looking tortoiseshell plastic. What gives? This example is par for the course. You’ll note that the rightmost frames (the knock-off) look more leopard-print than tortoiseshell. So I ask, what’s so hard about tortoiseshell?
It’s made of bone and keratin.
Too soon? 
Hey, this isn’t fake tortoiseshell! It’s some sort of knockoff!
What ever happened to people at least trying to give a legitimate answer before starting with the cracks (easy ones at that)?
Yeah, I know. :rolleyes: This may help a little.
http://www.xrestore.com/pages/tshell.htm
Faux tortoise shell is a beautiful, multi-colored finish where complex shapes fade softly from one to another in random or distinctly directional patterns. Surprisingly, creating or restoring this sophisticated finish is not particularly difficult. That being said, it must be noted that the techniques for producing high quality tortoise shell with the translucence and warmth of the original is not obvious and requires a bit of faith and foresight throughout the process.
There probably isn’t a factual, i.e. legitimate, answer.
There probably is, actually. And if not, the proper thing to do would be to explain why there may not be a legitimate answer. In any case, let’s refrain from joke answers before some attempt has been made to actually answer the question.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
Here’s what I know: good, fake tortoiseshell is typically an old-style, oil-based plastic - like a celluloid or a bakelite or something? It is used in making pen bodies, eyeglass frames and guitar pickguards (which is how I come across it).
It is my understanding that getting the right TS look translates to an expensive manufacturing process.
There are a few boutique guitar makers who source Italian celluloid (I clarified while searching for this link) to make high-end pickguards:
This maker, DeTemple, is also known for charging thousands of dollars for his version of a Fender Stratocaster, made with super-premium parts like this pickguard.
Thanks, that’s interesting. I wonder the source of plastic for proper eyeglass frame manufacturers.
I can’t see from the picture, but is the fake fake tortoiseshell (as opposed to the real fake tortoiseshell) translucent, or is the pattern just painted on? If it’s not translucent, maybe translucent plastic blends are hard to make? They’d require injection of 2 plastics, with just the right amount of mixing.
Or maybe real tortoiseshell is cheaper than fake tortoiseshell?