Ivory vs ?
- Thread starter TheJackal
- Start date
Just a tip for further hunting: when i just need info i do a Google search followed by a 'search' here on AZ. 95% of the time i'll find what i'm looking for. I found this in like 15seconds.
Last edited:
Ivory will fluoresce under a blacklight and will show some type of grain. It can be difficult to see in some pieces, but it'll be there. There are some newer synthetics that do a good job of mimicking ivory's grain, though. It doesn't look exactly like real ivory. But unless you've got a reasonable amount of experience with the real thing, it could be a little difficult to tell the difference.
Having said all that, I'd stay away from pursuing any cues with real ivory because of the ivory. And let me explain that. I wouldn't necessarily stay away from a cue because it has ivory in it. I just wouldn't go out of my way to look for and/or pay extra for a cue just because of its ivory content. For me, it has become more of a liability and potential hassle than it's worth. And that's coming from someone whose player has ivory rings. I traded for the cue and it just happened to have them. They have no added value to me and I would have been just as happy with it had they been made of some other similar looking material.
Having said all that, I'd stay away from pursuing any cues with real ivory because of the ivory. And let me explain that. I wouldn't necessarily stay away from a cue because it has ivory in it. I just wouldn't go out of my way to look for and/or pay extra for a cue just because of its ivory content. For me, it has become more of a liability and potential hassle than it's worth. And that's coming from someone whose player has ivory rings. I traded for the cue and it just happened to have them. They have no added value to me and I would have been just as happy with it had they been made of some other similar looking material.
Thank you for the info. I bought a cue because I liked it. Whether it is, or isn't , I would have bought it regardless
Knowing that you are looking at elephant ivory with the naked eye or a magnifier; as opposed to any other substance , is all a matter of experience. Trust me on this after my 50 years handling hundreds of cues with varied white materials. The black light thing is not foolproof for many reasons including the quality of the light itself in many cases. There are other " scientific" methods such as the hot pin piercing test - but I think the most honest answer is to find a very experienced person regarding ivory usage in any form such as cues, gun/ knife handles/ antique canes/ antique jewelry, etc. and have them view the item in person.
Even some 1980/early 90 Meucci cues used a white material - I have handled those cues--that many think is ivory, but to the truly experienced, one can see that it is a man made material.
Even some 1980/early 90 Meucci cues used a white material - I have handled those cues--that many think is ivory, but to the truly experienced, one can see that it is a man made material.
Do you mind mentioning the cue's maker or posting a pic? In a lot of cases, the cue's maker and when it was made are clues as to whether the material in question is or isn't actual ivory. That's not to say that any cue maker never used a white material that wasn't ivory. But there are some cue makers who basically never used ivory and others who have used it extensively. So knowing who made it and when could go a long way towards a yay or nay.Forgive my ignorance on this topic
If you're purchasing a cue, and the person says it has an ivory ferrule, collar, inlays, etc. How do you know it is?
pics are not very good but i'm pretty sure if its a '91 JW that both the joint and ferrules are ivory.
Talking a '91 JW- make sure that the white material is clean, put them under a good light and use a magnifier if necessary- if you see any grain in the white----- for this year and cue maker it is close to 100% that they are ivory. The ivory joints that I have seen on earlier JW cues are about a half inch in length. FYI- some of his ivory joints are prone to develop cracks, but I know very good players who have played with cracked JW ivory joints for years with no ill effects on their game.