Q&A for How to Tell Ivory from Bone

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I have a small elephant I believe to be ivory. It has weight, correct color, buttery smooth surface, and passed the "hot pin" test. The piece was my mother's and I believe it's quite old. Is it legal to sell this and if so, how do I establish its value?

Community Answer

If your piece was acquired before the 1972 ban on elephant ivory, it is legal to sell it. It also might be an antique, which makes it even more valuable. I recommend you take it to an antique dealer who has experience with ivory. That's the best of the lower priced ways to find out. To see what carved mammoth ivory is selling for these days, check out Trader Jack's website. He's a carved mammoth ivory seller based in Washington state and very trustworthy.

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Question

How can I tell if something is ivory?

Community Answer

This article gives many tips on identifying ivory. This includes things like noticing its weight, patina, texture as well as other tests to determine if it is ivory or not. The best thing to do would be to read the entire article.

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Question

Won't the hot needle test cause items made from nitrocellulose to explode or combust?

Community Answer

No, nitrocellulose is the name of a large group of chemical substances that are highly flammable and explosive, but I really don't think they would make any houseware out of such a type of nitrocellulose. However , if you do the needle test, don't insist too much, or some items could start burning.

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Question

Are piano keys made in 1910 real ivory?

Community Answer

Most likely not, elephants had almost been poached out of existence by the 1860s. Since 1868, nitrocellulose has been used as a replacement for ivory. The only downside is that it is extremely flammable and may even combust/explode, depending on the way it was produced. In 1907 Bakelite was invented, but it took until 1912 for the product to be used to mold more complex pieces. While it is possible that it would be made with ivory, the chances are pretty slim. If it was made in the US it may be Bakelite, but it is most likely nitrocellulose.

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Question

I've seen sewing tools that are flat like a knife, they look like ivory or bone, I think they're made in Japan. What could this be?

Community Answer

Could it be made from whale bone or baleen? Japan is know for their whale hunting. Baleen is also more bendy than ivory, making it useful for thin tools.

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Question

Is it legal to sell ivory jewelry?

Community Answer

This varies from place to place, and could depend on the age of the ivory, as well. Ivory jewelry is, in fact, illegal in many places.

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Question

I know someone who has a set of "tusks" that she swears are made of "ox bone." It could be horn from a Texas longhorn, but because of her shifty background, it could also be ivory. She won't say where she bought it. What can I do?

Community Answer

Unless you can prove that the tusks are ivory, you can't do anything.

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Question

Can ivory be sold if broken, just for the value of the ivory?

Community Answer

Not anywhere on the open market with an exception of China. Ivory has been protected because ivory hunters hunted elephants nearly extinct in their rush to get more of it. Consider donating it to a museum or burying it and returning it to the Earth.

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Can pre-ban ivory be sold?

Community Answer

No. You cannot sell any ivory legally in the United States with the ban in effect.

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