how to tell if it is ivory or not?

[pinoyincalgary]

Hi,
Is there a way to tell if the inlays are ivory or substitute ivory? Someone is selling my friend a cue that has no markings of the maker in it, but, the seller said the inlays are real ivory. Thanx again for the help.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

If you rub the ivory enough times, it will get warm. And, if your familiar with what finger nails smell like when they are being filed, that is similar to the smell of ivory.

 

[TheBook]

I had a little carving that I thought was plastic. A dealer friend said he thought it was ivory. He said the way to find out was to stick a hot pin into it. The pin will go into the plastic but not the ivory. I don't know if this works with the new phenolics or compounds. Either way you will have a little pin hole in the finish on the butt.

 

[Bob Jewett]

If you rub the ivory enough times, it will get warm. And, if your familiar with what finger nails smell like when they are being filed, that is similar to the smell of ivory.

Miscues also have a different smell with ivory balls. I think the problem for the OP is that the "ivory" is probably covered with a finish or is in small enough flecks that it would be impossible to get a noticeable smell.

You might be able to see the grain under a magnifying glass. You could also visit a local jeweler or Asian art store and ask their advice.

At any rate, there is probably so little ivory in the cue that the material cost is unimportant. I suppose that the presence of actual ivory might indicate a more competent cue maker, but maybe not.

How much is the seller asking for the cue?

 

[WilleeCue]

Miscues also have a different smell with ivory balls.

Miscues always stink!

Unless, it is the other guy that miscues.
Then it smells like victory.

IMHO

 

[TATE]

You might be able to see the grain under a magnifying glass. You could also visit a local jeweler or Asian art store and ask their advice.

At any rate, there is probably so little ivory in the cue that the material cost is unimportant. I suppose that the presence of actual ivory might indicate a more competent cue maker, but maybe not.

There is a lot of plastic used that resellers claim is ivory but is not. I have found that inlays that are solidly or very evenly colored are not ivory. Ivory has varied grain, color variations, striations, etc.

However, the high quality synthetics look exactly like ivory. I have a Paul Huebler Custom Shop Ivory Twist cue which has the exact color and grain of tusk ivory, yet is made with synthetic. Some of Meucci's synthetic ivory joint collars and ferrules would fool anyone. Many people confuse the smokey, creamy look of buckhorn with tusk ivory, and bone looks completely different than elephant tusk.

"The Book" is right. To test for real ivory, if it means a lot to you to determine if it is ivory, hold a needle in pliers and heat it on a stove until red hot, and stick it in the ivory. If it's ivory, it will not penetrate but will leave a small mark. If it's plastic, you will have a pin hole.

Since the cue obviously doesn't have a history, documentation, or markings, it is unlikely it is real ivory or worth much.

Chris

 

[bruin70]

ivory has a SLIGHT pattern of ALMOST straight, lines. these lines are lighter than the body of the ivory itself.

you might not detect these lines in small inlays, but chances are if you do find them in a few inlays, then all the inlays are ivory. i wouldn't think the cuemaker would be devious enough to do some inlays and some not.

 

[pinoyincalgary]

Miscues also have a different smell with ivory balls. I think the problem for the OP is that the "ivory" is probably covered with a finish or is in small enough flecks that it would be impossible to get a noticeable smell.

You might be able to see the grain under a magnifying glass. You could also visit a local jeweler or Asian art store and ask their advice.

At any rate, there is probably so little ivory in the cue that the material cost is unimportant. I suppose that the presence of actual ivory might indicate a more competent cue maker, but maybe not.

How much is the seller asking for the cue?

Hi,
Thank you all for the help. From what I gather, the cue might be from the philippines since the joint looks like the same joint on my philippine made cues. I know that there are cuemakers in the philippines who use ivory and does not mark their cue. Regardrding the selling price, I think the person was asking around $400 for the cue.