How can you tell ivory is real

And while these items may have the appeal of ivory, they certainly will not stand the test of time nor will they attain the rich patina of old ivory. Be on the lookout for:. Once un-molded they may or may not be cleaned by having someone remove the mold seams. Next they are stained overall with a dark color; then the high points are wiped to give the appearance of age.

Another consideration is that these items will not have the weight of real ivory. Most often used for dresser sets and other small items. If you think that the only real ivory comes from African elephants, you would be wrong. In the world of ivory there are more types of real ivory than the elephant tusk. By definition, real ivory comes from the teeth or tusks of mammals. Some of these animals are:.

However, not all ivory is animal. Gloria suggests you use a magnification loop to inspect the differences in the surface structure of plastic and ivory. Plastic is non-descript upon magnification, but you can often see cross-hatches on the surface of a piece of ivory when it's magnified. A test that Jeanenne has developed herself over the years is to tap a piece in question against the edge of her bottom row or teeth.

The last God-given gift that the Kansas City jewelry expert recommends using is your mind. Is it ivory -- or a plastic imitation? While the U. By: Rae Williams Updated April 12, Share It. Tip While the U. Warnings: Only African elephant ivory that was imported into the United States before or as a sport-hunted trophy is considered legal. Only antique African ivory more than years old or African ivory that was acquired before may be imported or exported for non-commercial purposes.

Asian elephant ivory purchased before may be sold to others within your state but it must meet strict Endangered Species Act regulations if it is to be sold across state lines. A pin test is considered a last resort as it can damage pieces that are not made of ivory. Fish and Wildlife Service: U. Only African elephant ivory that was imported into the United States before or as a sport-hunted trophy is considered legal.