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How to Clean and Repair Ivory Jewelry

by Dale Armstrong
Question #1:

How would I clean genuine ivory that has been in a box in the home of a smoker since 1940? It is a bracelet with four carved pieces of ivory strung together with ivory beads.

-Ann in Opelika, Alabama

Question #2:

I have an ivory piece that has broken. Can you recommend an adhesive that will not damage the ivory?
Instructions
Answer #1:

For this particular subject, I always turn to my personal source, Wire Faculty member Scrimshaw Mary of Nashville, TN. She responded with the following:
Oh my, a really good question for sure.

Ivory is a natural, porous material that absorbs moisture from the air and its surroundings.

Always store ivory pieces, especially jewelry, in a plastic bag to protect them from changes in humidity.

Yellowing over time is caused by body oils from wearing and handling, which also bring out the natural grain.

You cannot remove deep stains; once discolored, the stain is permanent.

To clean, use a q-tip with baby oil to replace moisture and a soft cloth to gently polish do not use polish. This helps remove surface dirt and loosens debris in carved areas.

For carved beads, carefully use a needle or metal scribe under magnification to remove residue without damaging the ivory.

Never soak ivory in water or any solution. Ivory will absorb liquids, swell, then crack as it dries.

I have not performed restoration on old ivory jewelry, and I'm unaware of treatments for nicotine odors or their duration.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Answer #2:

Caring for Ivory: Expert Advice from Scrimshaw Artist Mary Bailey and Blade-maker Joe

Ivory is a natural material that "breathes" it absorbs moisture from the air and reacts to environmental changes.

Rapid or extreme changes in humidity cause ivory to swell and shrink, leading to cracking.

The type of ivory piece (pendant, bead, statue, tusk) affects repair methods smaller items like pendants are simpler to fix than larger statues.

To protect ivory, keep it in a stable environment, such as a curio cabinet.

Place a small saucer with cotton balls soaked in water inside the cabinet to maintain humidity:

If cotton balls are dry, replace them with fresh wet ones.

If still wet, ivory is adequately hydrated.

Avoid storing ivory in direct sunlight or near heat sources like fireplaces or wood stoves, as heating and cooling cycles can cause cracking.

1. Clean the broken area edges using a cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on it to remove any oils that may be present on the ivory. This is normally human body oil and as such it will affect the adhesive being used for repairing. (Human body oil is what adds to the patina of aging ivory giving it that yellow cast that brings out the grains in the ivory.)

2. Once well cleaned and air-dried, you can use super glue to put the pieces back together. Don`t worry about excess glue seeping out between the joint sections. Once it sets, the extra glue can be removed by using acetone to remove the glue. (I`d suggest using a q-tip dipped in acetone to gently wipe off the excess glue from the surface.)

3. When completely dry and sealed, if this is a piece that is going to be wire wrapped, the outer wire border should help reinforce the rejoined pieces and keep it stable.

Hope this answers the question. Mary and Joe

Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

Pocket Diamond Needle File Set--3 Piece
FIL-671.00
  • FIL-671.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.96
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Super New Glue
GLU-100.01
  • GLU-100.01
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.97
  • Gold Club Price: $1.48
Add to Bag
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Design

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