Tortoise shell, also known as long-lived tortoise, can be seen in China and Southeast Asia, but with people's overfishing, the number of tortoise shells has dropped sharply. So, is the tortoise shell specimen valuable for collection? What is the efficacy and function of hawksbill?

Is tortoise shell specimen valuable for collection?

Tortoise shell is a national second-class protected animal, commonly known as "Thirteen Scales", also known as Longevity Turtle. It is called Xuanwu in China ancient mythology, and it is one of the four great beasts in China. Its scales are crystal clear, noble and elegant, and it was known as "gold on the sea" in ancient China. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as auspicious and happy things, representing nobility and sacredness. Tortoise shell is one of the four organic gems recognized by the international jewelry industry alongside pearls, amber and corals.

Tortoise shell is a very rare material, which has been banned by the state. It can be used as a bracelet, glasses frame, etc. In ancient times, it was mostly a treasure given to the royal family and a symbol of the luxurious and elegant status of princes and nobles. "The Forbidden City now has a collection of glasses made of tortoiseshell, which are very valuable. At present, a pair of tortoiseshell glasses that are living in folk life is at least100,000 yuan. "

Efficacy and function of tortoise shell

Tortoise shell is a large tortoise of Tortoise family, also known as Thirteen Scales, Tortoise Shell and Wen Jia. Its body length can reach more than 1m and its weight is about 50kg. Its back has l3 scales and horny plates, and its surface is smooth, with brown bloodshot lines. Tortoise shell mostly inhabits the warm ocean and is distributed in Fujian, Taiwan Province, Hainan, Xisha Islands and other places south of Shandong Peninsula in China. Ancient mythology called tortoise shell "Xuanwu", which is one of the four sacred animals in China. Tortoise shell is fierce in nature, feeding on fish, crustaceans, molluscs and seaweed, breeding every summer, digging holes in the beach to lay eggs and hatch. It belongs to the national second-class protected animals.

The medicinal use of hawksbill was first recorded in Kaibao Materia Medica, and most of the medicinal hawksbill was taken from its back deck. Tortoise shell is cold, salty and slightly sweet, and contains chemical components such as keratin and colloid. It has the functions of clearing away heat and toxic materials, calming the liver and relieving convulsion, and is mainly used for treating fever, convulsion, hypertension, rheumatism, toxic swelling, carbuncle, sore, delirium, spasm and syncope. Tortoise shell meat is also used as medicine, which can dispel wind and detoxify, promote qi and blood circulation, remove phlegm from chest and diaphragm stroke, calm heart and dispel pathogenic heat. Benefiting the large intestine and dredging the female meridians. Compendium of Materia Medica says: "The tortoise shell has the same detoxification and heat-clearing effect as rhinoceros horn."

Tortoise horn plate has the reputation of "sea gold", which has been regarded as auspicious and wishful thing since ancient times, representing noble and sacred manners and can ward off evil spirits. It is an ornament of court dignitaries in past dynasties. Shells can also be used to make exquisite decorations, and horny plates can be used to make buttons, glasses frames, bracelets, rings, combs, fan handles, piano plates and other items. It is no wonder that in the Yuefu where peacocks fly southeast, there is a famous saying that "step on the silk and shine on your head".

Identification of true and false tortoise shells

In the classification of gems, tortoise shells are classified as organic gems. It has a wide range of uses and has long been loved by people.

1. strong light irradiation method: when the tortoise shell is projected under strong light or flashlight light, the genuine product can see transparent beautiful patterns, and transparent bloodshot penetrates into the deck, and its spots are in the form of countless dots, such as millet dots gathering together to form an irregular shape with uneven boundaries. The bloodshot surface of the imitation is flaky, and the markings are dim or blocky.

2. Polishing method: The tortoise shell shows unique luster and charm after polishing. Imitation does not have this feature.

3. Burning method: ignite the shaving powder or touch it with a hot needle, and the genuine product will have the smell of burning hair. Imitation is peculiar smell, bakelite emits sour smell; Celluloid smells of camphor; Safety celluloid and casein plastic are vinegar-flavored.

4. Hand weighing method: the density of tortoise shell is 1.29g/cm3. Plastic imitation1.05-1.10g/cm3, easy to separate.

5. Slice observation method: After the tortoise shell is soaked in warm water and softened, observe the slice with a magnifying glass or microscope, and the reddish-brown spherical particles can be seen, and the spots are round pigment spots with clear structure. Plastic products are strip-shaped and clearly visible ribbons.

6. The difference between natural hawksbill and pressed hawksbill is that the imitation hawksbill is elongated because of its dark color and bubbles after heating. Natural hawksbill is the opposite.

7. Tortoise shell looks very thick when assembled, but from the side, it can be seen that there are color differences between different pieces; Looking at it with a magnifying glass, there are traces of glue and air bubbles.

8. The difference between tortoise shell and horn, the horn generally has no tortoise shell pattern (i.e. red, black, transparent and yellow variegated), the tortoise shell spot has good luster and the pattern is transparent and beautiful.

9. When the big tortoise shell slices are fished out of the water, the water will spread around, so the tortoise shell can avoid fog and wind.

10. boiling water heating method: after boiling water, the tortoise shell can bend at will without breaking, while after boiling water, the imitation tortoise shell is easy to bend.