Cracks in Tortoise shell.

Hi all,
My hubby has bought me a wonderful Tortoise shell sewing box for Christmas, It dates from around 1830, It has a problem though, Someone has been careless and had it sat in the sun, probably a sunny window sill, Consequently it has cracks on the Tortoise shell lid, it looks a little faded too.
I know I can feed it with Almond oil to help bring back some lustre but what can I do about the cracks?
Is it a specialist job?

I can't post piccy's as its been put away until Christmas.

 

If the cracks are not opened or wide , superglue may be a fix to keep them from running.
Just a thought.....

 

No they're not open cracks, I was just hoping I could improve the look of them.

 

Hi,
I have had good results using a high quality CLEAR shoe polish. It is the carnauba wax that does the trick.Try the almond oil first to give a sheen to the shell and then try the wax to help shine the crack so to say. It will give a slight protection to the shell also.
greg

 

Hmmmmmm...............Will they close?

 

Hi,
Most of the tortoiseshell is from composite pieces heated to make a bigger piece. The sun might have hastened the delamination thus causing the cracks.
greg

 

I asked this of the British Museum a few years back. They recommend a smear of olive oil. Not almond.

 

Scratches and cracks can be treated with a paste made from jeweler's rouge and a few drops of olive oil. Mix it into a paste then rub it into the desired areas. Brush the paste off when it has dried and buff with a soft cloth.

 

Thank all, Some good tips there.

 

Is it a jewellers rouge in powder form that is used in polishing gold and silver?

 

If you can find a powder form that would be ideal to form a paste but mostly it is in bar form. Try to find the softest compound you can so it can be mixed with the olive oil. It can be mixed to a toothpaste consistency.

 

Thank you

 

Thanks Davey.