johncornetta.com                    
John Cornettas Information Directory


Frequently Asked Questions About Ivory What You Need To Know

Frequently Asked Questions about Ivory: What You Need to Know

What comes to your mind when you hear the word ivory? You might be thinking about the soap or the color, but real ivory is more than that. To know more about this beautiful and useful material, here are some of the frequently asked questions about ivory that might be interesting to you.

What Exactly is Ivory?

Ivory refers to the canines and tusks that are made up of an inner pulp cavity. This cavity is covered by dentin, which consists of collagen and connective tissues. The dentin is coated by a cementum layer, most of which are covered by an extra layer of enamel. It is dentine that’s used as a major component in ivory for inlays, carvings, and other items.

What are the Sources of Ivory?

Strictly speaking, real ivory comes from the tusks of Asian and African elephants as well as mammoths. In general terms, large teeth and tusks from boars, hippos, walruses, and sperm whales are considered ivories. However, some people do not regard them as real ivories.

Some forms of ivory are known as imitation or faux ivory. They come from various sources such as casein, celluloid, and inner seeds of the Tagua palm tree.

Is Ivory an Organic Material?

Ivory is both an organic and inorganic substance. The organic components of ivory are the collagen proteins, which work to repair and build tissues. On the other hand, the inorganic components are the mineralized tissues, which make ivory durable and hard.

How Do Ivory Types Differ?

To tell the difference between one type of ivory and another, it is important to understand the structure of natural ivory. Dentin has very small nerve canals that spread out to the cementum layer. These nerve canals look like irregular lines when the ivory has been carved and polished. How these lines are arranged vary among ivories, and they are used to determine the source of ivory. Aside from the lines, other characteristics like the dentin layer help one recognize the differences. For example, the so-called Lines of Schreger is exclusive only to the dentin of elephants and mammoths.

What is the Difference Between Genuine and Synthetic Ivories?

Synthetic ivory lacks irregular nerve canal lines. Good imitations have lines, but they follow a regular pattern. A foolproof method to find out if an ivory item is authentic or synthetic is through a UV light. Under UV light, true ivory will emit bright blue light, while synthetic ivory emits dull blue light.

What Happens to Ivory as It Ages?

In reaction to the fluctuating temperature and weather conditions, ivory easily absorbs and gives out moisture. This results in the swelling and shrinking of ivory. Worse, it may give in to warping or cracking. That is why it is important to place ivory in an area where humidity is low and the temperature does not quickly change. Ivory is also prone to staining over time.
These frequently asked questions about ivory gives ivory lovers more information they should learn about the characteristics and origin of ivory, as well as how to keep its beauty for a long time.




 

 

More Articles


Search This Site

 

Related Products And Free Videos






 

More Articles


History Of Thailands Ivory Carving

... Anthropological studies say that elephants have been living in Thailand for at least 15 million year through carbon dating of the ancient elephant fossils found in Nakhan Sawan Province. However, the only available artifact that indicated the oldest use ... 

Read Full Article  


Easy Steps To Make Imitation Ivory

... Make Imitation Ivory Did you know that you can easily make ivory on your own? No, you don t have to travel far and look for elephant tusks for ivory. If you are an enthusiast or collector of ivory items, you can save a lot of money and let your creative ... 

Read Full Article  


Insightful Guide About The Good Sources Of Ivory

... such as the common kinds that can be found in many parts of Africa. The size of this animal is about three to five feet and its weight can be from 100 up to about 300 pounds and beyond. This animal s tusks and teeth are used to dig and also serve as their ... 

Read Full Article  


Looking Into The Beauty And Uses Of Ivory

... dentin exposed. The ivory of animals differs in several aspects. The African elephant ivory differ from the Asian ones. The former is harder with a translucent yellow appearance. The former is softer with an opaque white appearance. The beauty and smoothness ... 

Read Full Article  


Simple Solutions In Finding The Right Ivory Wedding Dress

... and laces. Something Borrowed You can also borrow the gown from your family members if they have the kind that will fit and complement you. You can also purchase worn wedding dresses with the color of your choice at online auctions sites. If you will resort ... 

Read Full Article