Testing True Ivory
Question:
What kind of tests could I do at home to determine that a piece is truly ivory, and not a replica or imitation?
-Susannah in Jacksonville, Florida
What kind of tests could I do at home to determine that a piece is truly ivory, and not a replica or imitation?
-Susannah in Jacksonville, Florida
Instructions
Answer:
For this answer, I turned to the member of our Wire Faculty who is an expert on ivory, "Scrimshaw" Mary Bailey.
For this answer, I turned to the member of our Wire Faculty who is an expert on ivory, "Scrimshaw" Mary Bailey.
Mary says:
On carved or cut ivory, you should see what is called "checkering."
Checkering is the natural growth pattern of ivory, which cannot be imitated by plastics, resins, or ground-up ivory dust.
Ivory also undergoes a natural aging process that changes its color over time.
Human body oils can enhance this color change, especially in beads.
Tilting a carved piece at an angle often reveals checkering in the ivory, confirming it is real and not imitation.
Another test is the hot needle method. Heat a needle until red-hot and touch it lightly to the ivory.
If real, the ivory will burn and emit a terrible smell. If imitation, it will usually melt and blacken like plastic.
Ivory smells like an overripe sewer when cut, and fossil ivory smells even worse.
If you see small pits in the material, it is likely bone, not ivory.
Camel bone is commonly used for beads and often mistaken for ivory. Large fish backbone sections can also be carved and confused with ivory.
The pitted or pithy texture is a clear sign that the material isn't real ivory.
P.S.: Wire-Sculpture does not, in any way, promote poaching or illegally-gotten jewelry supplies. None of our products contain true ivory.
Many folks have heirloom ivory or finished ivory jewelry, and may be curious as to its authenticity, which is why we have provided a simple test.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
On carved or cut ivory, you should see what is called "checkering."
Checkering is the natural growth pattern of ivory, which cannot be imitated by plastics, resins, or ground-up ivory dust.
Ivory also undergoes a natural aging process that changes its color over time.
Human body oils can enhance this color change, especially in beads.
Tilting a carved piece at an angle often reveals checkering in the ivory, confirming it is real and not imitation.
Another test is the hot needle method. Heat a needle until red-hot and touch it lightly to the ivory.
If real, the ivory will burn and emit a terrible smell. If imitation, it will usually melt and blacken like plastic.
Ivory smells like an overripe sewer when cut, and fossil ivory smells even worse.
If you see small pits in the material, it is likely bone, not ivory.
Camel bone is commonly used for beads and often mistaken for ivory. Large fish backbone sections can also be carved and confused with ivory.
The pitted or pithy texture is a clear sign that the material isn't real ivory.
P.S.: Wire-Sculpture does not, in any way, promote poaching or illegally-gotten jewelry supplies. None of our products contain true ivory.
Many folks have heirloom ivory or finished ivory jewelry, and may be curious as to its authenticity, which is why we have provided a simple test.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
Wire
Beads
Cabochons
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Design
Dale Armstrong
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