Ivory question

[icem3n]

Is there any grading for ivory like in wood? How do you grade it?

Is it possible for F&W to identify a pure white ivory (without grains) during importing/exporting?
Btw, how do F&W check them? I mean is there a device used to check for ivory or just using a naked eye?

 

[Danktrees]

there is a device to check ivory apparently but it has to be direct. i.e. they cant detect it with a finish over it. but apparently they can confiscate it/apply a fine based on the suspicion it's ivory. i believe i read in one of the older threads where someone challenged them to prove it's ivory and they said to do so they would have to take the cue apart. i suppose if they're gonna confiscate it anyways u might as well have them do that since u're not getting the cue back and it's better than letting them have it lol. but then the fine might go up higher.

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

Is there any grading for ivory like in wood? How do you grade it?

Is it possible for F&W to identify a pure white ivory (without grains) during importing/exporting?
Btw, how do F&W check them? I mean is there a device used to check for ivory or just using a naked eye?

I'm not an expert, but since I'm going to cut it up anyway, I ask that the supplier cut it in 1/2 to be sure it is white & not tan. By the way what is F&W...JER

 

[robertno1pool]

I'm not an expert, but since I'm going to cut it up anyway, I ask that the supplier cut it in 1/2 to be sure it is white & not tan. By the way what is F&W...JER

Fish and Wildlife

 

[icem3n]

there is a device to check ivory apparently but it has to be direct. i.e. they cant detect it with a finish over it. but apparently they can confiscate it/apply a fine based on the suspicion it's ivory. i believe i read in one of the older threads where someone challenged them to prove it's ivory and they said to do so they would have to take the cue apart. i suppose if they're gonna confiscate it anyways u might as well have them do that since u're not getting the cue back and it's better than letting them have it lol. but then the fine might go up higher.

Do you know how they grade the ivory? tks :grin:

 

[cueman]

As someone who has been in the ivory cue parts business for almost 20 years, I will give you some good advice. Don't try to ship Ivory in or out of the country! Then you do not have to worry about it getting confiscated, and you don't have to worry about getting fined.

 

[ace911]

Is there a problem if you travel internationally and check in a cue with you that has ivory in it?

 

[rhncue]

Is there a problem if you travel internationally and check in a cue with you that has ivory in it?

It is illegal to take ivory out of country or to enter with it, PERIOD. Makes no difference how old it is or how legal it is. When it crosses any border the law has been broken and if caught, penalties applied.

Dick

 

[robertno1pool]

Identifying ivory

Identification and differentiation techniques for mammoth ivory from elephant ivory are discussed at:

http://www.lab.fws.gov/ivory_natural.php

http://www.lab.fws.gov/ivory_id.php

 

[CueCaps]

Grading

This is how I grade Ivory..
I get pieces that have 1/2 white and the other 1/2 has the "Grain" part that consist of a transparent-like substance blending with the white, creating those cross-hatched patterns seen on the cross-section or face.
So, it depends where the Piece is cut from.
Seems that a pieces cut from the inner parts of the Tusk have less of these cross hatched patten, making them mostly White.
These inner parts would be the best part because it's consistantly White vs. the normal pieces I get that are closer to the outter part of the Tusk.
These outter pieces would have more "Charecter" in the Ivory Piece, because it has that Ivory Grain running along the length.
I see Ivory on the High end cues that are almost all white.
That must be the sought after look that makes it the higher Quality of Ivory, all White, little Grain.
I never get those. Maybe those pieces are called "Select"?
They don't select those for me. :frown:

The other is the Brown Bands that run across the cross section.
I've heard those are caused by the Elephant's Diet.
Those bands, might be considered "less quality" because it does create havoc when theres no brown in the design/color.
Just my observation about Ivory and it's availability (To me).
I usually don't get the select stuff from anybody. :embarrassed2:
Cue Caps are the Rodney Dangerfield of Pool Accessories.
Alton - ID Stats below

 

[icem3n]

Identification and differentiation techniques for mammoth ivory from elephant ivory are discussed at:

http://www.lab.fws.gov/ivory_natural.php

http://www.lab.fws.gov/ivory_id.php

Robert,

I can't open up the hyperlink that you provide. Was there any
typo error? :grin-square:

 

[Ken_4fun]

When I have cues commissioned to cuemakers. I ask for "grainy" ivory.

I have heard a few them call it nerve ivory. But the cuemakers always get what I want.

Some ivory is so clean and no grain it looks like plastic to me.

JMO

Ken

 

[icem3n]

This is how I grade Ivory..
I get pieces that have 1/2 white and the other 1/2 has the "Grain" part that consist of a transparent-like substance blending with the white, creating those cross-hatched patterns seen on the cross-section or face.
So, it depends where the Piece is cut from.
Seems that a pieces cut from the inner parts of the Tusk have less of these cross hatched patten, making them mostly White.
These inner parts would be the best part because it's consistantly White vs. the normal pieces I get that are closer to the outter part of the Tusk.
These outter pieces would have more "Charecter" in the Ivory Piece, because it has that Ivory Grain running along the length.
I see Ivory on the High end cues that are almost all white.
That must be the sought after look that makes it the higher Quality of Ivory, all White, little Grain.
I never get those. Maybe those pieces are called "Select"?
They don't select those for me. :frown:

The other is the Brown Bands that run across the cross section.
I've heard those are caused by the Elephant's Diet.
Those bands, might be considered "less quality" because it does create havoc when theres no brown in the design/color.
Just my observation about Ivory and it's availability (To me).
I usually don't get the select stuff from anybody. :embarrassed2:
Cue Caps are the Rodney Dangerfield of Pool Accessories.
Alton - ID Stats below

Alton, tks 4d great info.

 

[cueman]

When I have cues commissioned to cuemakers. I ask for "grainy" ivory.

I have heard a few them call it nerve ivory. But the cuemakers always get what I want.

Some ivory is so clean and no grain it looks like plastic to me.

JMO

Ken

Nerve Ivory is the very center of the tusk. That nerve line can be very ugly or even black. Some have sought it for ferrules as there won't be any cross grain lines. They feel this is the strongest piece. What I mean by that, is that it is more like looking at the center of a tree and cutting your dowel right out of the center. So the end grain lines would go around in a circles like a bulls eye instead of across like it would if taken from any other part of the tusk.

 

[icem3n]

Nerve Ivory is the very center of the tusk. That nerve line can be very ugly or even black. Some have sought it for ferrules as there won't be any cross grain lines. They feel this is the strongest piece. What I mean by that, is that it is more like looking at the center of a tree and cutting your dowel right out of the center. So the end grain lines would go around in a circles like a bulls eye instead of across like it would if taken from any other part of the tusk.

Chris, I 'm starting to get confuse again.

 

[Sheldon]

I just call Mr. Warther and tell him what I want..... He comes through every time!