How can you tell the difference between bone and ivory?

If it is curved, 3 feet long and tusk-shaped, it is ivory. Duh! If it is short, stout and conical, and scrimshawed by a 19th Century sailor, it is a whales tooth. If it is at least 3 inches square and flat, it is bone—panbone, which is a whales jawbone.

How much is real ivory worth?

Thats a lot of money in most African countries. But the big profit is made in Asia. Thai Customs recently evaluated smuggled ivory as being worth $1,800 per kilogram—$18,000 per elephant—wholesale. The “street value” retail price of 10 kilograms of carved ivory now runs about $60,000.

Is ivory illegal to own?

Its important to understand that simply possessing ivory you already own is not illegal, nor is passing it on to your heirs. Preexisting items manufactured with ivory such as musical instruments used in orchestras, furniture and items such as firearms containing fewer than 200 grams are exempt.

Does ivory go yellow with age?

Ivory is an organic material that quickly absorbs moisture. Over time, ivory darkens and/or turns yellow in color and develops surface coloring called a patina. This change is color is an indicator if its age and thus affects the value of the piece and should not be removed.

How do you clean yellowed ivory?

Cut a lemon cleanly in half on a cutting board, using a sharp knife. Hold a lemon half in your hand and use the salted, exposed side to scrub your yellowed ivory item. Set the ivory item to the side to air dry. Soak a soft cloth in clean water and wring out the excess. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Can you sell old ivory?

It is now illegal to sell or have the intent to sell ANY IVORY within the State of California or to sell it to any bidders within the State of California REGARDLESS OF THE AGE of the ivory.

Is antique ivory legal?

It remains legal to sell antique ivory within states, other than in California, New York, New Jersey, or Hawaii, which have passed state bans on the ivory trade. Owners may also offer to donate their ivory to a museum.

Are human teeth ivory?

Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is the same, regardless of the species of origin.

Is ivory jewelry valuable?

The value of antique ivory held in the U.S. is unclear. One survey of ivory dealers and collectors placed it at nearly $12 billion, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which regulates the U.S. ivory trade, says its less than one percent of that—about $100 million. Antique dealers are in a tough spot.

Can you buy antique ivory?

Ivory sales are also banned in several states, such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington and New York. Interstate sales of ivory items is also prohibited in the U.S. for sport trophies and ivory items that were brought into the U.S. as part of a scientific research project or law enforcement investigation.