How to tell the difference between ivory and bone, identification of ivory, is ivory real

[@Rachel-gz9nm]

"You don't destroy history or else you'll end up repeating it"...well said. This video has been quite helpful. Thank you for posting!

[@mouwersor]

damn it's almost as if it's a common saying

[@reginaromsey]

I have several pieces of ivory from my time in Alaska. One is a piece of mastodon ivory that was used as a fire maker to hold the end on the stick being spun to create the heat. I have an ivory chess set from China, all walrus ivory. A diorama of two seagulls resting on a piece of walrus scull with little ivory eggs; all walrus ivory. Scrimshaw ivory salt and pepper; walrus ivory. The point of this is the ivory is either ancient, or Walrus Ivory. The Walrus is not endangered. The Native Alaskans are allowed to hunt and use the entire carcass.

[@BrandonDoner]

Here is some updated information!!There's thought to only be around 25,000 Atlantic and around 200,000 Pacific walrus left in the wild. They are considered vulnerable by the world wildlife federation. Ivory is also teeth 🦷!! Tusk are big teeth! It’s basically dead bone that’s why our teeth don’t have blood vessels and it’s a little more dense than regular bone. So any teeth is considered ivory. Lots of pig tusk are sold into the ivory trade to save other mammals with tusk! Thanks for sharing your stories!!

[@123gaiya]

Come to sri lanka.. best ivory in the world in sri lanka.

[@trevorcole460]

Nice video, when I was in Africa I was told by the local traders that if you put a strand of hair round the ivory and use a lighter on the hair, the hair will not burn as ivory does not have air holes, with bone the hair will burn as it has air holes.

[@sandramccormick8326]

Your video is very clear and informative, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I agree that we cannot change the fact an animal has died to produce such items and that the craftsmanship is astonishing, but for me personally, buying and selling such pieces is a big no no. Some say it should all be destroyed because we all know where ivory comes from and we know how it is acquired. I would never agree that it needs to be got rid of. I always thought creating a section in museums for carved ivory, display it with information that teaches appreciation for the craftsmanship and use the money that is made from such displays towards the conservation of the animals and their habitats instead of personal gain.

[@johnarena2519]

Great video. I agree ethically with everything you have said. It was a different time, a different world and I am so glad they have banned all new ivory sales. I still believe that history and art should be preserved , relative to moral conflicts in a dying world.

[@babydoe42]

Good to know 1947 made ivory you cannot sell!!! I'll have to remember that. I totally agree with you, that would be such a shame to destroy history in ivory! Great video again Edward♥ Thank you xx

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Dorothy hun, Thank you for your comment, yeah remember the date hun or you can get a big fine , penalties are not sever enough for poachers or people who kill for ivory now but history should not be destroyed because we know its wrong now.

[@northwestpicker3551]

Thanks again, Walter. Such a simple distinction between bone and ivory - and I never knew it before! Very Helpful. Thank You!

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you Northwest picker, thank you for your comment , glad to help

[@KaranT_bully]

Antiquesarena Do you buy antiques?

[@Davy32Boy]

Thank you for your informative video. My mom came to me with a piece that was given to her years ago that she suspected was Ivory,so i looked up videos and came across yours. I tried your heating up a pin test ,and to my surprise, it did not burn, ( My fingers on the other hand.Lol!) So I do believe she has an authentic piece of Ivory. Thank you for your Video.

[@astroswagg2279]

Great video sir. You were very precise and informational. I appreciate your video. Thank you.

[@boogieknights503]

I found several items in a dumpster that I thought were bone, but now I think they maybe ivory. I heated a pin to it was red hot and it didn't do anything. But I don't know how old they are. It's two candle holders and some small forks

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi. Thank you for your comment. If you send me some pics I will see if I can help.

[@jansean2497]

The only reason to ban “antique ivory” trade is to prevent more poaching and killing to fill a market demand, right? If it can be managed in a way that works, it doesn’t seem unethical to trade in antique ivory.

[@priscillamichaud1975]

I am so thankful for your helpful, thoughtful information. You’re presentation was fabulous!

[@brucemccreary38]

I prefer to perform the sulfuric acid test. Dip a small piece of ivory into the acid for about 30 seconds and when you withdraw the piece from the acid it will behave like rubber. Bone won't do that. I used to make pistol grips from ivory in the '70's and '80's.

[@elizabeep8304]

Wow! That’s so interesting. So you were able to mold the ivory for the grips?

[@pammy77boo]

Great Information!! Love the video!! I have some earrings that were given to me and they say are made of Elephant tusk, they are very thin, How can I tell what to sell them for? I am in Antiques as well, but do not want to get into trouble!!!

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you for your comment. Ivory is totally illegal to sell now any age it don’t matter it’s illegal sorry

[@pammy77boo]

@@AntiquesArena thank you I am going to keep them for myself 👍👍

[@celestegantz9497]

This was very educational. We have items we have inherited and not sure what to do with them. We’re in conversation with our local museum (San Francisco) to see if they’re interested. This is very helpful.

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you so much for your kind comment. I appreciate it x

[@RobertWorley]

on small pieces it can be extremely difficult to tell just visually. i have a bunch of pieces that cannot be properly identified by visual alone

[@margaretjohnson4413]

Thank you for this. I needed to check something today and you confirmed what I thought I knew.

[@cazcarolwhite]

Thank you. That's very interesting and your clear explanation was great.

[@hebe525]

Hello, I have a pendant that belonged to my great grandmother, I have no idea if it is ivory. I’ve heard that ivory is cold to the touch, and the pendant is cold, but if I wear it, next to my skin, after a while, is slightly warm. Is that possible?

[@wsurfs]

Fascinating..!! Color me so much smarter regarding IVORY...!!! Thank you for sharing your expertise...!!! I will definitely go to your website...!!

[@tjmusa]

thank for you explaining. we have old ivory from years ago that my mother found pre 50s. i hope people save the old ivory to respect the animal.

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you for your comment. Tbh antique ivory is just history. No dif to slavery or war memorabilia. We don’t agree with any of it now but it’s still our history wether we like it or not.

[@marisyeltis2030]

I was in Vietnam on business recently and they sell the real thing there, why settle for imitation? I bought a few Buddha trinkets. The seller said it was old ivory stock from before the ban was done in the 70s or 80s.

[@lizgawin899]

@@AntiquesArena hello sir, uh, so my grandmother has some old statues and she's not sure if they're real ivory or not. i've examined them and i'm 99% certain that the statues are porcelain. the statues have a very smooth hole on the bottom which shows that they are hollow inside, are very heavy, and each is about 2 feet high. my grandmother asked me to find out for sure and i'd like your opinion.

[@treacymccormack3949]

I have a knife and I can't tell the difference between it seems they dyed the out of it brown to make it look more rough but the tops and bottoms are cream white. How can I tell?

[@chromabu]

Hello, I have an Ultra Violet LED flashlight. What would Ivory look like with the Ultra Violet light? I have a piece that is glowing nicely, but I don't know if bone would do the same...

[@shereesmith2248]

Thank for you video. It was very helpful.

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you appreciate it

[@RoshanRamkumar]

Hello antiquesarena. Is it possible to differentiate between real and fake just by looking at the photo? Regards

[@incredible5587]

will the bone burn with a hot pin? ?

[@Ziggyhyde]

I've read that if you pick a lighter e and light it below a piece of ivory it doesn't leave a burn mark, is it true?

[@pearlsfeatherandlace]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing this! You probably won't see this, but I'm trying to date a set we have, I can tell it's Martin Hall from Sheffield but had been told by my Mum that it's ivory and after doing the pin test I'm sure it's not. Are there ways to confirm other materials?

[@andreah6175]

I was at a flea market last year and picked up some miniature elephants which stood out to me straight away, my intuition said I think there is something unusual here having noticed a grid pattern, ironically their tusks are broken off as if making a statement so to speak. I don't use wifi so I couldn't look it up but asked the lady of her opinion as to the material used with the carvings, she really believed they were plastic and priced as such. I'm brought back to this topic having another find of a square carved flower pattern bracelet, assuming bone or faux, I do not see the same pattern as the elephants above. I also noted when holding the suspected ivory up to the light a very soft reddish light within reminiscent of holding a bright light inside my hand.

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you very much for your comment. Best thing you can do is the hot needle test. Ivory will not melt.

[@rbed9470]

No hate mail, cheers from Colorado USA

[@purpleom9649]

I think the point that should have been made. These works of art don't go for £100,000's because they are ivory, the only reason they go for big money is because any historic craftsman that was at the top of his game would have used ivory. It was the material of choice for carving fine detail and longevity. All throughout history ivory has been very expensive, bone on the other hand has been a very cheap material, dominoes, chess pieces, ect were often made from bone whereas ivory was only really reserved for top end items, outlawing or distorting it would be a crime, and one humanity would come to regret. It's easy to tell what is antique ivory online or in auction houses for this very reason, if the item you are looking at is well made and it took a lot of skill to make then it's almost certainly antique ivory but if it looks like crap then it's most likely bone, plastic, or modern ivory (post 1947) The skills needed to produce such wonderful pieces had really died out by the 1930's.

[@TheTruthResearchers]

How can you tell the difference between cut pieces of raw Rhinoceros Horn and raw Ivory Tusk? Thank you.

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi thank you for your comment. Rhino horn should be made up of compressed strands like hair and ivory should have a grain. However both are illegal to sell now. Even Ivory pre 1947 is illegal now

[@TheTruthResearchers]

@@AntiquesArena Thanks so much for letting me know. I have an Antique Sculpture with a stamp-tag that reads: GENUINE HORN MADE IN ITALY. It's all natural, no paint or varnish. Theres an actual "Black Horn" surrounded by squared slices of light brownish-gray Horn with some very raised surface striations and lots of consistant tight and fine hair-like strands on each slice. It's an amazing Art Carving! So since Rhino Horn is illegal to sell, does that mean I can't sell this Antique Sculpture? It looks quite valuable. But I wonder HOW "Rhino Horn" got into the hands of Italian Sculptors???

[@jagannathprasaddasrapuria1820]

Very informative video

[@JALISA819]

I have some real nice Tiffany earrings from 1800s want to know if they are ivory or bone

[@iradavenport9475]

I have noticed when using a Dremel with sanding or diamond bit is the smell of burnt bone.

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi thank you for your comment. I believe ivory is made up of hair like fibres. So what you can smell is most likely burnt hair.

[@hishamalsaleh4838]

I really need your advice sir on an ivery piece

[@dannybailes3948]

Hi. Thanks for the info. My Great Aunt bought some antique geisha ivory carvings around WW2 and we have always wanted to find out more about them. Do you know any reputable antique dealers in the US who are knowledgeable about Ivory? I’m just assuming you’re not in the US.

[@catherinebll]

Thanks so much! Hugely informative! Thank you for posting!

[@dawbre42]

thankyou for this video. i have a set of dominoes that are ebony and ivory, and i revived a set of travel dominoes from the 1900s and i wasn't sure if they were ivory or bone (they are bone). i have found an easy way to tell Bakelite non destructively is i Cary a linen handkerchief and if you rub Bakelite and celluloid till it slightly warm it has a slight smell.

[@n0taimbot592]

tysm for the information i rlly needed dis information for homework

[@rhyannonp8231]

could you do one or least tell me how you can tell plastic or celluloid from ivory and bone. I have some estate pieces I am not able to tell. Thanks

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi the best way for you to tell if your in experienced would be to use a hot pin but will leave a small hole of plastic or celluloid A hot pin won’t sink in to bone or ivory. Look under an eye glass. Plastic will have a mould line that ivory and bone won’t.

[@rhyannonp8231]

@@AntiquesArena thank you for the reply, one of the things that confused me is I have round beads that feel like glass or ceramic that came in the "bone/ivory" stash and it has cross hatching! would ivory feel cool like glass and polished like ceramic, its cool to the touch and its not stone, already tested that

[@chrisfarrell6461]

thanks! GREAT information. Easy to understand and APPRECIATE TOO!

[@virgilrobertsjr7870]

Thank You!

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you appreciate your comment

[@lexfip7515]

Hi there! Great informative video. Do you have a web. site? and or where to send a pic? Thx. F

[@stardustxx278]

I'm just trying to figure out if this ring i have has ivory as the decorative tiny carving of a dessert landscape with the pyramids or pointy mountains in the background.

[@thepixieblaze8449]

Do u buy and sell tusk artifacts?

[@divineangelic2727]

How much does bone brackets costs ? Of course I’d love ivory seriously

[@andrewwilson5164]

I’ve found a tusk today . It’s quite big but I need too know what it’s made from or what animal it belongs too. . There is like black faded thick lines in it but it doesn’t look like the bone shown on this clip . Can any one help me . Thanks

[@missipeppi3590]

I've obtained a antique Chinese Ivory Smoking Pipe! Can you please tell me what the value is?

[@84amylee]

I have a bangle made from Ivory it belongs to my great grandmother back in the 40s but i was not i cannot wear it or travel with it, i will be caught at the airport is it true?

[@michaelwhite9056]

i have just bought this from a charity shop can you tel from looking if it is bone or ivory

[@BitsNBobsbitsnbobs]

Love your vlogs. And very informative. I think the silver handles one is a Georgian/Victorian page turner. X

[@cassandrabretherick-meyer3358]

I have "something" shaped like an tusk, with animal carvings. Idk if it's ivory or something else. It is very old & belonged to my grandfather. But from your video, I still don't know

[@earlgrey3042]

Thank you for an informative video! I have a couple pieces of what I now think may be Asian or maybe Samoan/Maoi looking Ivory carvings inherited from my grandfather. There are no pit marks at all, the pieces are not highly polished but are quite smooth. I am trying to find a way to verify if they are ivory or not and whether I am allowed to keep them if they are. Can anyone here recommend somewhere in London I can get them looked at?

[@washingtonskies8698]

If anyone has an answer to this, I would appreciate knowing as well. Thanks

[@hurstmitchell6392]

Hi thanks for the info. I just bought a bracelet from a bootsale thinking it was vintage plastic but it is ivory. I wouldn’t buy new ivory obviously but to destroy or throw away would be disrespectful. I will wear it to remind me NOT to buy ivory, ever.

[@aleksandramakari]

My mom has ivory chopsticks. They probably were brought over from China by her grandparents or great grandparents because one pair has a name in it. It's very white, but some plain ones yellowed where food touched. I prefer wood because food doesn't slide out. 😂😂 And now I'm also pretty sure my crochet hook is bone thank you.

[@juancarlosmartinez6258]

Como se titula el video en castellano y esta el audio en otra lengua

[@mshomefire]

Consider me informed. Thanks for a great video.

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Mshomefire, Thank you for your comment, glad you enjoyed,

[@bondpowers7295]

Thank you very much was very informative

[@myfrontroomperth]

Do you have a how to tell celluloid video? I’m thinking my giraffe is actually celluloid not bone or ivory now

[@adilochannel1134]

Thank you very much sir for this information

[@SocialStudiesMane]

Wonderfully done , Edward! Public ( all of us ) should be educated on this topic. Antique Ivory historically important art .

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Ilona, Thank you very much for your comment, i agree fully penalties are not sever enough for poachers or people who kill for ivory now but history should not be destroyed because we know its wrong now.

[@rexythudugala8645]

Di i have keep my antique ivory with me sir its only 8.5grams and very old

[@artifactman660]

You can sell ivory after 1947. Walrus ivory is still being sold today

[@Frankie5Angels150]

Will these tests work on mammoth ivory? The real stuff is 10,000 to 40,000 years old.

[@AntiquesArena]

Yes the tests will still work

[@dianalove1490]

Just what I wanted to know Walter so thank you for the video. Having done all the necessary comparison and needle test to ensure it's not fake, then where do I go for a price please?

[@incredible5587]

ebay

[@tammykeener7752]

I have a question how much does Ivory with bone marrow inside

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Tammy. your item has marrow it is bone and not Ivory.

[@softmetals3702]

good job

[@belindabatdorf1137]

Thanks informative

[@greeshmaragu8278]

Why do you sell ivory ?

[@AntiquesArena]

thank you for your comment, ivory used to be legal to sell if it was over 100 years old, i do not support poaching but i also do not support destroying history and works of art from hundreds of years ago. to destroy a beautiful piece created two hundred years ago is not going to do anything for an animal alive today.

[@ericfroment4065]

thanks

[@tntrose5816]

Thnku so much very interesting.

[@tntrose5816]

I was trying to send yu a picture but it let me

[@sharyng.8650]

I have a necklace that was given to me in 1960. It looks ivory but I don’t know. If I sent you a photo, are you able to tell?

[@aleksandramakari]

My mom has heirloom ivory chopsticks. There's subtle patterns like wood grain patterns in them. If you look with the naked eye and observe different angles, the pattern can look diagonal, but all goes the same direction.

[@LaOwlett]

Last summer I bought a rubber banded clutch of chopsticks, 8.5 pair at a thrift store for $1.99. They sat in a paper lunch bag in my drawer, until I ran out of the bamboo ones I had. while washing them today I noticed some of them felt and weighed differently and the yellowed ones didn't wash up... turns out 6 pairs out of the eight and one, are ivory... Plain and boring as the brighter cream colored ones that came with it. They're not painted or carved, and they have a slight pyramidal back end. Many of them have a slight curve to them, they have striations, and on very close inspections, you can see slight wear, where your hands sit. The tips are all worn too, each are slightly different. The hot pin test was the first thing I did. I wonder how old they are without any carving or painting. Still going to use them, maybe I should use the plastic ones first. lol.

[@ouidacrews8056]

Thanks. I have a small piece of ivory 3"x2/1/2" carved ship. I think it is before 1947 because I got it from a deceased missionary 15 years ago who had retired many year before. Can I sell it on ebay or how can I be sure of the age.

[@originallynot]

You could possibly do a radiocarbon dating on the piece, it costs about $500, but it's up to you to know if it's worth it, I believe the University of Arizona does it

[@tysonle07]

Could I sent you some pictures of my boar tusk and get your opinion if it is fake or not?

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Tyson. You can send pics no probs. To tell if it is plastic or ivory heat up a pin red hot. If it’s plastic it will melt do it in an area that is less visible

[@emmaandrews6118]

I've got an horn but not sure what it is.

[@simplesimplebasicmehandide4775]

tnqq so much very useful video

[@uddorangsbyofficial9699]

can I send you an email? to check by photo, to tell it if its a real or fake ivory.

[@uddorangsbyofficial9699]

I am from Indonesia

[@duanehopland7506]

Not true at all.I carve elk, deer, javelina, pronghorn antelope leg bone, antler , horn and ivory and bone doesn't have any black in it .Anter does if you don't stay in outside and have some of the inner pithy portion remaining

[@georginadebeer6804]

How can one age ivory

[@AntiquesArena]

Thank you for your comment. It is very hard if you are just looking for patina etc. It is the style of item how it was carved. Different periods have different styles so would date to a specific period

[@fernwebb9343]

Thanks.

[@HardiSomal]

i just came here for information for my wildlife forenics exam

[@janinehogben6626]

I have some ivory beads which are just pre 1947 as my friend brought them back from India after Ww2. I should like to sell them for charity. How do I go about this?

[@LightWarrior70]

Thank you for this! I inherited figurines from my grandmother who passed. She had lived in Singapore at one time and had many Chinese Buddhas, figurines etc. I'm a huuuge animal lover (elephants actually are my fave) and feel uneasy having these pieces in my home. Not sure if they're all ivory or when they were made? What do you suggest I do? I have figurines similar to what's in this video. Thank you!

[@sandramccormick8326]

If you don't want to profit from the sale of your pieces, you could always see if you can donate them to a museum.

[@lisakenyon9429]

I think the locket I have which belonged to my Great Grandmother. Photos r if my grandfather as a boy and my Greatgrandfather Not sure if it’s bone.

[@richardjones4080]

Also totally agree with you re history

[@KaranT_bully]

antiquesarena Do you buy antiques?

[@AntiquesArena]

I do if your local to bring stuff to my shop. I don’t buy online

[@KaranT_bully]

Antiquesarena Where is it located?

[@AntiquesArena]

Sr Sanmon I am in South Wales uk 🇬🇧

[@chicagogreen7]

Excellent information. Thank you! And I agree that destroying antique ivory serves no positive purpose. The animals have already been sacrificed and cannot be brought back. To destroy the pieces of history that were made of that sacrifice is a bleeding crime.

[@stanner7500]

I enjoyed your video. I came across across a piece of art featuring carved elephants. I like elephants and would not want them killed for their tusks but i like to see and have elephant objects; serious pieces and comic alike. However, all that which was used pre1947 should have nothing to do with political correctness. The Animal died and it was not necessarily murdered for its tusks and further destroying works of art made in ivory will achieve absolutely nothing but to satisfy the pseudo virtuous and their vanity. As you said in your video there may be many things we may consider distasteful today rightly or wrongly, but whatever, it will not bring back to life the animals killed or found dead. So long as we no longer pursue such and rather put up with the many more available man- made alternatives for art, then that is that. Those who cannot appreciate the difference should concentrate their minds elsewhere.

[@yana99992002]

I agree. Very well said, especially about virtue signaling…

[@14ndns]

If I send you a pic of a piece I have could you tell me what it is I think it’s ivory but I’m not %100

[@marytruesdell6496]

Thanks hot pin

[@annesosalski9528]

does anyone know how to tell real ivory jewelry

[@jasongivens3988]

Okay I have this knife message me about it and I was very curious to see what you think about it famous Jason givens

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Jason. If you want you are welcome to email me some images and I will take a look at your knife. [e-mail]

[@fostersmilez1759]

@@AntiquesArenaSir I have Mailed You We manufacture Bone Ivory Handicrafts In India and offer cheaper Prices Contact me at 0091-9530099035

[@richardjones4080]

its easier than people think but I am guessing it can be faked ? re plastic

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi Richard, Thank you for your comment, yes plastic can try to fake ivory but the grain or cross hatching isnt natural its too uniformed.

[@alexanderkatookwa777]

Ok

[@daibhiseaghdha153]

they look the same, when you don't really know what you are looking, unless you are like a friend of mine, who says " they look exactly similar "

[@AntiquesArena]

Hi thank you for your comment. If you listen to what I say in the film I explain the difference between them. They are nothing alike. Ivory has a grain where bone has black blood vessles the side by side picture couldn’t be clearer

[@kashifburhan1739]

❤❤

[@lisakenyon9429]

This won’t let me show u photos. 😂

[@divineangelic2727]

Hi I don’t care about Pc I love ivory and would do. aa trade if can’t purchase. I’d love a ivory bracelet necklace beautiful.

[@5xsanfordlife945]

Great description much respect #5xSanfordLifeGN