Tortoiseshell (noun)

The mottled, iridescent, and typically brown and black shell of a sea turtle used as a decorative material.

Origin:

From the word "tortoise" meaning "a slow-moving land turtle with a hard shell" and "shell" meaning "the hard outer covering of some animals, especially mollusks and turtles".

Examples:

1. The hair comb was made of tortoiseshell.
2. She had a pair of tortoiseshell glasses.
3. The box was inlaid with tortoiseshell.
4. The tortoiseshell material was used for the handle of the knife.
5. The tortoiseshell was a popular material for decorative items in the 18th century.