IVORY FOR POMMEL

[tanaruz]

Hello,

Many thanks for the initial info. Here are some more pics.

Thanks in advace.

Yves

[mariusgmioc]

Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.

You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.

You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.

Greetings sir Marius, this thread has aroused my interest. Can you assess my piece as well? I'll try to sand off a portion of the break in the pommel and burn it for verificiation, but for the meantime here's a picture.

[mariusgmioc]

How it behaves: if it melts is plastic; if it smells like "dentist" is ivory.

For polishing you can use sandpaper, 600-800 grit and give it a few rapid rubs. If it is ivory will smell like "dentist."
For final shiny polish you need to go to higher grit (3000-7000).

Originally Posted by xasterix

Greetings sir Marius, this thread has aroused my interest. Can you assess my piece as well? I'll try to sand off a portion of the break in the pommel and burn it for verificiation, but for the meantime here's a picture.

One photo from the side is not enough. You should post more close-up photos. Generally this type of hilts are made from elephant ivory. You should check for the Schreger lines.

I do not advise polishing/fire testing any finished product. For a raw piece of material is another story.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

How it behaves: if it melts is plastic; if it smells like "dentist" is ivory.

For polishing you can use sandpaper, 600-800 grit and give it a few rapid rubs. If it is ivory will smell like "dentist."
For final shiny polish you need to go to higher grit (3000-7000).



One photo from the side is not enough. You should post more close-up photos. Generally this type of hilts are made from elephant ivory. You should check for the Schreger lines.

I do not advise polishing/fire testing any finished product. For a raw piece of material is another story.

Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.

[Rafngard]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.

I'm sure members with more experience than I will chime in, but to my eye it looks like elephant ivory, and overall, a really beautiful specimen.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Rafngard

I'm sure members with more experience than I will chime in, but to my eye it looks like elephant ivory, and overall, a really beautiful specimen.

Thanks Leif! Additionally, if it's not much of a hassle, may I ask everyone to assess my friend's piece, of similar build as mine.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.

Elephant ivory!

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.

You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.

Hi Sir,

Can you expound on the statement 'how it behaves'? what would be best to use for polishing?

Thanks

Yves

[tanaruz]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.

You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.

Hi,

Did some 'polishing'- and it smells like burned 'enamel.' must be the 'dentist' smell.

I did contact an expert on this things. Sent her some pictures. Initially, there's the presence of Schreger lines + crosshatch pattern on the tooth.

And I was advised to bring the item to her for a visual verification.

Thanks and regards,

Yves

[tanaruz]

Hi again,

forgot to include another test which I did (upon the instruction of the jeweller).

I got a needle, had it red hot on the fire and tried to pierce the tooth. - and voila, it did not went into the tooth.

Best

Yves

[mariusgmioc]

The geometry of the cracks is consistent with ivory.

From all I know there are some ivorine resins that crack, but without round/circular cracks. Round/circular cracks are specific to ivory as they follow the growth rings.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

The geometry of the cracks is consistent with ivory.

From all I know there are some ivorine resins that crack, but without round/circular cracks. Round/circular cracks are specific to ivory as they follow the growth rings.

Thanks very much sir!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by tanaruz

I did contact an expert on this things. Sent her some pictures. Initially, there's the presence of Schreger lines + crosshatch pattern on the tooth.

And I was advised to bring the item to her for a visual verification.

Hi Yves,

Sperm whale tooth shows no Schreger lines so far I know, only elephant ivory shows this lines.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.

Hi Marius,

Disagree again with you, soory! The sperm whale tooth look real to my eyes but agree with you that's difficult to judge from a picture alone.

Regards,
Detlef