Ivory or bone ?

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Helleri

I don't think this is ivory. Some translucence along the edges of cracks, dings, and scratches causes ivory to typically show hotter coloration there (red and orange, not black as is shown here). I think the grain is also too strait (with no intersection) and uninterrupted. Have you done the rub test?

What is the rub test ?

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

What is the rub test ?

I vaguely recall that one can rub suspect ivory until it is warmed, then smell it; a camphor odor would indicate that it was a man-made imitation. I don't have a reference for this, my failing memory will have to serve.

[blue lander]

I think ivory's supposed to be cooler to the touch than plastic or bone, too. If you put the piece in a cold basement or cellar for awhile and then pick it up, it should feel cold like a piece of stone because of the higher mineral content.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by blue lander

I think ivory's supposed to be cooler to the touch than plastic or bone, too...

Yes, someone taught me that, once.