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Mix clear glue with fine ivory, bone or antler shavings. Fill the crack with the glue and shavings mixture. Press the crack together and hold for two minutes for a thorough bond. Allow two to three hours for the mixture to dry.
How do you glue broken ivory?
White glue, such as Elmer’s, works in most cases, but epoxy works better for inserting ivory into flat grain wood. If the ivory and the object you would like to glue the ivory to are both smooth, CA glues work well. PVA resin glue works on most projects and tends to be stronger than white glue.
Can you repair ivory?
Ivory can be seamlessly restored, in a similar way to ceramics or fine bone china. The conservator will first clean the object with a tailor-made solution to ensure it meets the needs of the piece and does not put it in any danger.
How can I tell if I have real ivory?
The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until it’s red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving. If the needle goes in, it’s plastic; if not, it’s probably ivory, or at least bone.
How do I fix my ivory bracelet?
Ivory is a natural material and porous.Answer #2: Clean the broken area edges using a cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on it to remove any oils that may be present on the ivory. Once well cleaned and air-dried, you can use super glue to put the pieces back together.
How do I work with ivory?
It is best to keep ivory at a comfortable human temperature and at 40% humidity. Craftsmen should purchase a humidifier for their work area should they desire to work ivory with success in dry climates. Ivory has grain much like wood but it has the density of a soft metal. The material needs to be aged and seasoned.
Does ivory break easily?
While bone can be as durable as ivory, this is not always the case. You may be able to easily break a small bone, for example, but it is unlikely that you would be able to break a small piece of ivory. When examining your piece for hardness, use extra care, as synthetic and bone pieces may be easily damaged.
How can you tell the difference between bone and ivory?
The main structural difference between the two is that ivory has no marrow or blood vessel system. It is essentially tooth material. It is usually whiter, harder, denser, and heavier than bone.
How do you remove glue from ivory?
Begin by scraping as much of the glue away as possible with a razor or sharp knife. Use caution not to cut your hands or cut away the surface of the ivory. Only scrape away the top layers of the glue. Once a majority of the glue has been removed, the rest will be sanded away.
How much is a piece of ivory worth?
But some see ivory as being more fashionable or prestigious. A typical ivory signature seal weighs about 30 grams, (a bit more than one ounce) and retails for about $200.
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.
Does real ivory turn yellow?
When exposed to light, ivory can become stained or bleached, and ultraviolet light can cause it to yellow. Ivory is hygroscopic and anisotropic which means it absorbs or releases moisture with changing humidity.
How do you restore ivory?
To accomplish this, saturate a soft cloth with mineral oil or glycerin and wrap it around the ivory piece. Allow it to set overnight. In the morning, wipe off any excess oil. Remember – it’s always better to consult with a professional than ruin a valuable antique piece.
How do you store ivory jewelry?
Avoid using rubber-based materials for storage or packing as these can produce unnatural yellowing of ivory. For additional protection, the artifact may be wrapped in unbuffered, acid-free tissue paper, and stored in a sealed polyethylene (ziplock-type) bag.
How do you seal ivory?
When ivory is worked it is best to reseal the material, especially the end grain on large pieces, to keep it from checking and cracking. Resealing can be done with a coat of Elmers’ white glue set to dry or, most easily, by spraying the ivory liberally with any good clear coat finish.
How do you cut ivory?
Ivory can be cut with any tool that will cut wood: a hack saw with coarse teeth, jewelers saw (for very fine work), or better yet if much cutting or any slabbing is to be done, a band saw. Metal cutting blades 1/2″ wide with 6 to 10 teeth per inch seem to work the best.
Can you drill ivory?
Ivories are expensive and a dull bit can increase the chance of cracking the root. A drill press is great, but a hand drill works just as well. Always have a block of wood under the ivory when you are drilling it. This is a short video showing the process of packing the putty into the root.
