[Jewelry making - Article 00903] - Re: [Orchid] Ivory bracelet

[Peter B. Steiner]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


    Hi Cindy, What are the dimensions (inner diameter, outer diameter and
    thickness) of the rings?  

    Ivory works very much like dense hardwood, such as Ebony or Lignum
    Vitae. All varieties of Ivory are sensitive to heat - so work slowly. 

    The easiest approach will be to find scrap Ivory of the correct size,
    cut the center hole with a drill press, profile the outside diameter
    with a scroll saw, and then carve the ring to shape with riffler
    files. Sand it with 320-grit paper, followed by 600-grit paper; and
    polish it with white rouge (or Zam, or Fabulustre.) 

    I'm guessing that you live in the USA? 

    The original bracelet is probably made from Asian Elephant Ivory. 
    You'll have to substitute African Ivory or Fossil Mammoth Ivory;
    because Asian Elephants are now on the endangered species list.  (You
    can't legally use Asian Ivory for the repair - even if you happen to
    own a piece.) African Ivory which is already in the United States may
    legally be bought and sold within the "lower 48" - unless you happen
    to live in a State which is particularly fussy.  Fossil Mammoth Ivory
    may be bought, sold and traded without any restriction.  The latter
    is your best choice, for all of the obvious reasons.) 

    Please feel free to write me off-list if you have more specific
    questions. Hope this helps!  :-) 

Best Regards,
Peter


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________