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What Is Ivory Jewelry Worth – Ivory, a hard cream-colored material extracted from ivory, has been used throughout history. Ivory has been compared to other precious materials and has been highly prized for decorative and decorative purposes. Ivory accessories give off a very classy and chic vibe and are a must-have for any fashion enthusiast.
For thousands of years, ivory has been prized for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Harder and more durable than wood or bone, ivory does not chip, crack or break easily with use, and deteriorates much less over time. This characteristic made it an ideal material for early man, who used it to make craft tools and weapons, especially before the discovery of metalworking. Ivory has traveled along various trade routes in caravans throughout history along with other valuable materials such as spices and silks. This made it more expensive (and thus more luxurious) with each mile. The more exotic or exclusive something is, the more desirable it is, and ivory has long been a part of gifts given or received by royalty. Ivory used to be used to make piano keys until it was banned and plastic was used instead. The Japanese used ivory to make ‘hankos’ personal seals or stamps as early as 5500 BC. Hankos were made of ivory, wood or plastic. They usually had the owner’s signature or seal underneath which could be dipped in ink and printed on documents. The hippopotamus’ incisors, which are straight, were well suited for use as kohl tubes and mirror handles. Other items made from ivory include combs, bracelets, knife handles and writing tablets.
What Is Ivory Jewelry Worth
In addition to being made into highly valued works of art, ivory was also crafted into beautifully carved boxes to hold other valuables. The elaborate carvings on the handles of daggers were considered show pieces, as were Catholic icons and images of saints. States like Rajasthan, Odisha and West Bengal in India are known for their exquisite ivory jewellery. It is customary to give ivory bangles to brides when they go home after marriage. Ivory ranges in shade from pale white to soft yellows and browns. Articles made from ivory include pendants, beaded necklaces, bangles, rings, anklets, figurines, statues, decorative plaques and many more.
About $8 Million Of Elephant Ivory Destroyed In Central Park
Ivory carvers in places like Jaipur, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Delhi are known for their caskets, dance figures, book covers, chappals, bullock carts, palanquins and carved reproductions of procession elephants or ‘Ambari Hathi’. Other ivory objects are chess sets, billiard balls, boxes for storing ‘pan’ or betel leaves, paper cutters and perfume bottles. Specimens of religious places such as small shrines with delicate pillars and intricate floral work in relief with images of deities depicting scenes from religious legends are examples of exquisite work in ivory.
Ivory wheels are decorated with pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and gold. They also have animal and floral designs and embroidery work. Ivory ornaments from Rajasthan (Jodhpur and Jaipur) are worn to cover the entire arm. Ivory is also used for inlay decoration for doors, windows and ceilings; Bikaner is famous for its ivory gates.
The exquisitely carved elephant in Delhi is an excellent example of the intricacy and delicacy of the ivory carving tradition of northern India. Ivory is a thick material covered with an outer layer of rough bark that must first be removed. The object to be carved is first sketched on a piece of ivory and a variety of chisels are used to carve out the smallest details. The teeth are easily etched by dipping them in milk to soften them. Delicate carving is done using different files. The surface is first smoothed with sandpaper and then dipped in methyl spirit with a brush if white or yellow. It is then put into water and hydrogen peroxide is added which turns it white. Carving involves the systematic scraping and chipping of material from the core block.
A species of hard walnut is gaining popularity as a substitute for ivory, although its size limits its utility. It is sometimes called vegetable ivory or tagua, and is the seed endosperm of the ivory nut palm commonly found in the coastal rainforests of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. Besides elephants, tusks from walrus, elk, narwhal and hippopotamus are used.
All About Antique Ivory Bead Jewelry
Ivory carving is one of the most intricate and painstaking crafts in India. Currently restricted in an effort to protect the elephant population, Delhi, Punjab and various centers in Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal previously have special articles. The products of each region express regional characteristics and artistic influences. Inlaid jewelery boxes, figurines of gods and animals, cuff-links, handkerchief rings, lamps with floral and animal motifs, earrings, brooches, bangles, bookmarks and cocktail pins, are some examples. All these are objects of utility and artistic beauty produced by the ivory artisans of India.
Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh is known for its wooden curtains or room dividers with intricate ivory work. Gujarat produces lakhs of furniture made of lathe. The marquetry work on bed posts, cradles, toys is done in ebony, sandalwood, metal and ivory. This craft is called ‘Sadeli’. Ivory craftsmanship in North India developed during the Mughal period and today Delhi is known for items such as pen cases, caskets, fine wrought work boxes and costume jewellery.
Ivory jewelry includes carved pendants and ivory beads. Ivory discs of various sizes attached to golden or silver cords are very attractive and complement western and ethnic Indian wear. Ivory brooches, rings, earrings are made in contemporary designs as well as traditional designs. The demand for piercings is high and ivory is a material that has been transformed with messages and symbols that appeal to the youth. Tribal designs are incorporated in ivory and they have an evergreen appeal. Jewelry sported by celebrities and movie personalities are replicated in ivory as attractive bracelets, rings, pendants, hair accessories and more.
Many brides are adopting a simple look instead of heavy bling with ivory jewellery. This trend is growing and ivory bangles with gold enamel work are not only classy to look at but stand out among others. Ivory is also used in combination with gold and precious and semi-precious stones to achieve that special piece. Designer artificial jewelry has become extremely popular and uses materials like ivory, bone, feathers, wood and more in trendy settings and styles to mimic traditional patterns of jewelry. Ivory bead work on lehengas, dupattas and similar ethnic wear has been used by renowned designers to showcase their work in fashion shows recently.
Tusk Force: Customs Team Seizes More Than 60 Pieces Of Cruel Ivory Jewelry
Ivory jewelry has a unique and unusual look and can be worn at parties, weddings and receptions, and even at soirées or holiday getaways. Ivory jeweled pieces are an ideal choice for beach wear.
Ivory jewelery is very elegant and is the perfect foil to a traditional outfit like a saree in silk or a simple churidar kurta. It can also be worn with Indowestern wear. Be it bracelets, ear pieces, necklaces or pendants, there is a whole variety to choose from.
Ivory jewelry is natural and suits all skin types as long as it is not mixed with alloys or metals that cause allergies in some.
Ivory, being porous, absorbs dirt and dust from the air, so it is best to store it in a box or plastic bag away from direct sunlight. Mineral oil can be used with a soft brush to treat ingrown hairs. After the oil is applied it is absorbed by the ivory, if dry. If the ivory is in good condition, excess oil can be scraped off with a dry brush and gently wiped off with a soft cloth. Mineral oil gives ivory a warm sheen. Do not use colored oils such as olive oil to avoid discolouration of the ivory pieces. Selling antique ivory can be problematic due to strict regulations regarding the import and sale of ivory, especially ivory. As inconvenient as not being able to sell ivory antiques may seem, recent regulations at the state and federal level are designed to reduce the killing of elephants and prevent them from becoming an endangered species.
Ivory Carving In The Gothic Era, Thirteenth–fifteenth Centuries
According to the National Strategy for Wildlife Trafficking Act 2016, selling ivory is illegal although there are some exceptions to the law. There are several pre-existing ivory items that fall under the ESA Antiques Exemption that can be sold within a person’s state:
In addition to the ESA antiquities exemption, there is also a De Minimis exemption relating to African elephant ivory. This exemption does not include ivory from Asian elephants. To qualify under this exemption, the item must be made only partially from ivory and meet these other criteria:
Ivory sales are also banned in several states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington and New York. Some of these laws are even stricter than the federal ones
