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 something that has been carved or cut, one should be able to see what we refer to as "checkering." Checkering is the natural growth pattern in the ivory, and not something that man can imitate by using plastics, resins or even ground-up ivory dust. Ivory also has a natural aging coloring process that takes place in it, and human body oils can enhance this change in coloration, especially in beads.
Usually, by tilting a carved piece at an angle, you will usually find evidence of this checkering in the ivory confirming that it is real and not imitation. Another method is a hot needle test. Heat a needle red-hot and touch it lightly to the ivory. If it is real, it will burn and stink something terrible! If it is imitation, it generally will melt and blacken like plastic does. (Ivory stinks like an overripe sewer when cut, and fossil ivory is worse!)
If you see any little pits in the material, it is probably a bone material of some type. Camel bone is one material used a lot to make beads out of and often mistaken for being ivory. Large backbone sections of fish can even be carved and can often be mistaken for ivory. Again, that pitted or pithy look is a dead giveaway that it isn't real.
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 something that has been carved or cut, one should be able to see what we refer to as "checkering." Checkering is the natural growth pattern in the ivory, and not something that man can imitate by using plastics, resins or even ground-up ivory dust. Ivory also has a natural aging coloring process that takes place in it, and human body oils can enhance this change in coloration, especially in beads.
Usually, by tilting a carved piece at an angle, you will usually find evidence of this checkering in the ivory confirming that it is real and not imitation. Another method is a hot needle test. Heat a needle red-hot and touch it lightly to the ivory. If it is real, it will burn and stink something terrible! If it is imitation, it generally will melt and blacken like plastic does. (Ivory stinks like an overripe sewer when cut, and fossil ivory is worse!)
If you see any little pits in the material, it is probably a bone material of some type. Camel bone is one material used a lot to make beads out of and often mistaken for being ivory. Large backbone sections of fish can even be carved and can often be mistaken for ivory. Again, that pitted or pithy look is a dead giveaway that it isn't real.
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
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Design
Dale Armstrong
Other Tips by Dale Armstrong
Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
All About Soft Wire
Chain Lavaliere
Wire Metal Substitutions
Glue for Finishing Cords
My Fingers Hurt
Taming the Wild Wire Bundle
Making Matching Freeform Earrings
What is My Wire's Circumference
Is My Coral Real
Wrapping Tiny Cabs
Finished Leather Cord
Prevent Scratches on Cabochons
Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips
Purity and Sensitivity with Argentium Silver
Wrapping Coins for Jewelry
Wrapping a Large Pearl Ring
Perfect Chain for Wire Jewelry
How Do I Keep Square Wire From Twisting When Wrapping
Wire Temper by Number
Will Liver of Sulfur Harm Lampwork Beads
Forging Copper Wire
Insurance for Art and Craft Shows
Wire Temper for Ear Pins
Wire Size for Wrapping a Cabochon
Can I Use the Copper Wire From Electrical Wire
Wire Jewelry for a Home Party
What is a Juried Craft Show
Wire Wrap Ideas for Beginners
What is the Difference Between Different Plated Jewelry
Wrapping Pearls onto a Hair Grip
Formulas for Pricing Jewelry and Selling Jewelry- Boutique Markup
White Gold in Wire Jewelry
What is White Gold
How to Clean and Repair Ivory Jewelry
Twisted Wire Tips
Forging Wire
Gemstone Ratings Explained
Finishing a Cabochon Frame
Making Tiny Headpins Larger
Sorting and Using Scrap Wire
Silver and Nickel in Ear Wires
Options for Practice Wire
Help with Pricing Wire Jewelry
Flush Cutters vs. Side Cutters
Wrapping Small Gemstones
Argentium Silver Care
Proper Care of Pearls and Opals
Wire Wrapping Stones with No Holes
Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges
Learning How to Sell Jewelry
Seashell Jewelry with an Underwater Finish
Anodized Aluminum and Chipping
Rock Tumbling 101
Home Jewelry Show Inventory
Wire Wrapping Term - To Show
Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers
What is Niobium Wire
Can Lindstrom Cutters be Repaired
Trillion Ring Designs
Copper Hat Pins
Making Wire Jewelry from Patterns, and Copyright
Removing Nicks and Scratches
Pricing Jewelry Made with Gold Wire
How to Polish Apache Tears
Which Wire Should I Use to Make My First Bracelet
Working with Small Jump Rings
Repairing a Bead Wire
What is Silicon Carbide Cloth
Mixing Sterling Silver and Argentium
Wrapping a Pear-Shaped Cut Stone
Wrapping a Rectangle Cab
Oxidizing Sterling Silver
What to Use in Jewelry Tumbler
Wire Gauge for Hoop Earrings
Using a Ring Mandrel
Protecting Copper from Tarnishing
Resizing a Shank with Wire
Setting Stones in Jewelry
Bending Pattern Wire
Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles
Enlarging Holes in Gemstones
Best Way to Make Jump Rings
Removing Marker from Jewelry Wire
Wire Size for Earrings
Where to Place Wraps on Free-Form Pieces
How Do I Find Shows in My Area
Master Wire Gauges with Draw Plates and Draw Plate Tips
Holding Bundles of Wire Straight
Twisting Wire Evenly
Why Use a Designer's Notebook
Embossing Hammers and Wire Texture
Making a Bracelet with Prong Set Stones
What are Cold Connections
Supply Lists for Wire Jewelry DVDs
Patina Silver-Plated Wire
Prevent and Remove Verdigris
Is Work-Hardened Half Hard Wire, Hard Enough
What Are Some Better Selling Beginner Items
Removing Glue from Dichroic Glass
One Jump Ring Gauge to Rule Them All
Adjusting Jewelry Prices with the Metal Market
Making Wire Jewelry for Men
Determining Carat Weight
Building on Snake Style Chain
How to Keep Stainless Shot Free of Residue
Crochet Wire Designs
Heating Porcelain Cameos
Storing Your Jewelry
How to Win Awards for Jewelry Design
Wrapping Small Stones
Tips for Working with 18G Wire
Organizing Beads for Easy Jewelry Making
What Is a Cabochon
The Best Wire Temper for Rings
Making Wire Jewelry with Crystals
When to Use Flat Nose Prong Making Pliers
Measuring for a Bracelet
What Chain Sizes Are Best
Pharaoh Ring Wires
How to Wrap a Broken Cabochon
How Do You Use Memory Wire
Organizing Jewelry Wire
Starting Position of Wrap for Ring Shanks
Faceted Gemstone Terms
What is the Average Size for Bracelets
Red Rouge
Rosary Links and Wire Temper
Jewelers' Saws and Jump Rings
Wrapping Cabochons
What is Rolled Gold Wire
Traditional Gemstone Pendant Wrapping
Flattening Wire with Hammers
Foolproof Jump Ring Closures
How to Use a Wire Gauge
Jazz up Your Jewelry
Optivisor Distance and Magnification
Photographing Your Wire Jewelry
Prong-Setting Ideas for a Cut Stone
Sterling Silver and Fresh Water Pearls
Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
Wire Jewelry Tool Care
How to Set Stones into Earring Snapsets
Make a Finished Ribbon Necklace
Sell or Display Valued Stones
Cleaning Sterling with Baking Soda
Purple Turquoise and Turquoise Facts
Irradiated Quartz Necklace
Removing Rust Without Damaging Tools
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart