Tortoise-shell glasses in Japan.

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by edmorel

You can probably get a great deal on tortoise shell at the Galapagos. Actually, maybe I'll start a business over there, hunt your own and I'll have artisans right there turn your shells into whatever you want.
Tortoise-shell is a misnomer; the stuff is actually made from the shell of a hawksbill turtle, which resides mostly in tropical-like places such as Cuba, and also Vietnam, etc. If you start a business over there, just be careful of getting arrested--Don't drop the soap!--as technically post-1976(?) shell items are illegal internationally due to CITES restrictions.

Originally Posted by RJman

BTW, LK, FYI ABP can make things out of seal.
Phoque?

Originally Posted by Tomasso

Just this afternoon I was perusing a collection of vintage NOS tortoise shell glasses at Art Deco Weekend in Miami Beach.

Sexy.

Originally Posted by kolecho

Are tortoise shell frames brittle?
They're not very. It resembles a rather pliable plastic; it's composed of keratin, I think, so it's easily repaired if it breaks. When heated, it bends easily into whatever shape.

 

[kolecho]

When I visited HCM City in Vietnam some ten years ago, tortoise shell items were in abundance, from eyegalss frames to cigarette boxes. I saw them in a shop in an decent hotel.... IIRC correctly Rex Hotel.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by kolecho

When I visited HCM City in Vietnam some ten years ago, tortoise shell items were in abundance, from eyegalss frames to cigarette boxes. I saw them in a shop in an decent hotel.... IIRC correctly Rex Hotel.
Yes, apparently you can get tortoise-shell items in Vietnam though I suppose one has to be careful of the authenticity, and craftsmanship.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

The woman I spoke with on the beach today quoted me $1500 ballpark but added that she'd wiggle a bit, if need be.

Holy crap!

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by kolecho

Last time I ordered a watch strap from ABP, they messed it up real bad. I assume you are referring to the same place in Paris.

If one's on the ground, one can catch and correct any problems they make. I haven't had any so far.

LK: phoque, yeah.

Teacher: That's really cheap for tortoiseshell.

New glasses in it are from 2500-10,000 euros in Paris.

 

[kolecho]

That'll buy me a tortoise shell business in Vietnam.

 

[globetrotter]

I got a pair last time I was in vietnam - about $65 with frames and sunglass lenses fit in.

 

[kolecho]

That is my kind of price

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by RJman

That's really cheap for tortoiseshell.
I actually blurted that out when she gave me her price-point, skilled negotiator that I am.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

I actually blurted that out when she gave me her price-point, skilled negotiator that I am.

 

[gefinzi]

There is an eyeglass maker in Paris who uses real tortoise...old shells collected before the ban. They have "dispensation" from the French government to continue making new pieces from the old shells. I emailed him about the legality of having glasses made there and imported to the US and he wouldn't tell me...just referred me to his website which doesn't specifically address the issue. Based upon this and further reading I was quite certain it is illegal to import newly made items (you can legally import antique items). The penalties if caught are very severe.

 

[ThinkDerm]



There is an eyeglass maker in Paris who uses real tortoise...old shells collected before the ban. They have "dispensation" from the French government to continue making new pieces from the old shells. I emailed him about the legality of having glasses made there and imported to the US and he wouldn't tell me...just referred me to his website which doesn't specifically address the issue. Based upon this and further reading I was quite certain it is illegal to import newly made items (you can legally import antique items). The penalties if caught are very severe.

maison bonnet?

 

[bboysdontcryy]



There is an eyeglass maker in Paris who uses real tortoise...old shells collected before the ban. They have "dispensation" from the French government to continue making new pieces from the old shells. I emailed him about the legality of having glasses made there and imported to the US and he wouldn't tell me...just referred me to his website which doesn't specifically address the issue. Based upon this and further reading I was quite certain it is illegal to import newly made items (you can legally import antique items). The penalties if caught are very severe.

Seems like bureaucratic red tape if they disallow newly made items from raw materials collected pre-ban. Presumably the intention for the policy regulating the trade of tortoiseshell products is to disincentivise the trade in endangered species etc, and it's not clear how that intention is served in this case - when the raw materials for these dead animals had already been collected before the ban came into effect.

This is setting aside the integrity of the firm.