Ivory is made from the teeth and tusks of elephants, whales, and other animals. The price is very expensive, one of the reasons is because at this time ivory cannot be taken from some protected sources, such as elephants. Artists and ivory makers have created imitation ivory to create sculptures and other products similar to ivory, but of course there are ways to tell which ivory is real if you know what to look out for. This article will discuss how to distinguish tusk from bone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Paying attention to the Ivory Color and Texture
Step 1. Hold the object in your hand and feel its weight
Ivory will feel heavy and solid when you hold it. It weighs like a billiard ball, which in the past was often made of ivory; when you hold it with one hand, it feels solid and hard. If the object you are observing tends to be light, you can rule out the possibility that it is ivory.
- Bone can weigh the same as tusk. Just because it feels heavy and solid doesn't mean it's ivory.
- If you're not sure that the object is really solid, then weigh it and compare its weight to something you know is ivory. The Internet is one resource you can use to find the dimensions and weights of objects made of ivory.
Step 2. Hold the object with your fingers to feel the texture
Ivory is known to be smooth like butter. It's not that soft, but in the right hands, ivory is very easy to carve. If the surface of the object feels rough and scratched, then it may not be ivory. But if it tastes really smooth, it's probably ivory.
Step 3. Observe the outer layer and the surface of the object with a magnifying glass
While determining whether an object is really made of ivory with a magnifying glass isn't always successful, observing it that way can provide useful clues. Real ivory will sparkle and look beautiful, often with a slightly yellowish look. Ivory can also be slightly browned due to the oil that has come from people who have handled it over the years. If you see any odd specks or markings, it's probably not ivory. Watch for the following signs:
- Crossed lines. You should see parallel lines (with slight differences) along the object. Lines that are perpendicular to the line will be shaped like the letter V or circular, called the Schreger lines. This line can be found in both elephant and mammoth tusks.
- Does the surface of the object have some dark spots or hollows? If so, then it's probably made of bone. It's just that, in some cases, the bone has been bleached, so do other tests to be sure.
- All bones have marrow patches or small spots on their surface. These marks may not be visible to the naked eye, but you should be able to see them using a magnifying glass. Ivory tends to have a smoother, harder and less speckled texture.
Method 2 of 3: Performing the Test with a Hot Needle
Step 1. Heat the pin
Place the needle over the flame of a candle or matchstick for a few seconds until it is hot enough. You can actually use any type of metal, but a pin alone is fine if you don't want to leave marks on the object you're testing.
Step 2. Place the hot pin on the surface of the object
Choose a spot that's hidden so you don't leave marks or indentations there (although if the object is indeed made of ivory, this won't be the case).
Step 3. Smell the part you stick with the hot needle
If it were ivory, then there would be no smell coming out of it. But if it was bone, it would smell like burning hair.
Real ivory will not be damaged by this test, because ivory is hard and strong enough to withstand heat. But if the object you are testing is made of plastic, then the heat of the needle will create a slight hollow. Since some types of plastic (such as Bakelite) are much more expensive than ivory, you don't need to do a hot needle test until you're sure it's not plastic
Method 3 of 3: Test by Professional
Step 1. Enlist the help of an antiques expert to find out where the object came from
Antique specialists have worked with hundreds or even thousands of objects made of ivory, bone, and plastic, so they are usually easy to identify with using one of the methods above, or using their own knowledge.
- Be sure to find a trusted antiques expert to appraise the item. Do not choose an antique shop carelessly, choose one that specializes in selling ivory so that the information you get is accurate.
- Antique exhibits are a great place to evaluate an object. Check online for a schedule of such exhibitions near you.
Step 2. Request a chemical test
To really convince you that your object is made of ivory, take it to a forensics laboratory and have it chemically examined. Ivory cell structure is different from bone, but laboratory tests are needed to determine it.
