Ivory Jewelry
Have you ever fancied yourself wearing a beautiful vintage ivory bracelet but you always hesitated to buy one because you are not sure of how to take care of it? Jewelry made with ivory is quite beautiful but it does require a little bit of special care compared to other types of jewelry.
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US $1.04
| Vintage Bracelet |
If you are interested in purchasing or collecting vintage jewelry what important aspects do you look for and where are the best places to find them?
Ivory jewelry was traditionally made with elephant tusks until it was regulated and banned in many parts of the world. Today you will find jewelry pieces of ivory made with the tusks or teeth from hippopotamuses, boars, sperm whales or walruses. Vintage ivory jewelry was made from elephant tusks in the 19th century and was very popular during the time. Today there are many collectors enthralled with collecting rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces all made with ivory.
Ivory is a porous material that can absorb body oil and can easily be stained. When it is not being worn it is best stored away in a dry warm area where it will not be effected by high humidity. Dust can be removed using a soft brush with gentle strokes. Wear cotton gloves when handling ivory so as not to transfer skin oils to the piece. Grime, dust and dirt can easily be removed by rubbing a vinyl eraser over the ivory. If you find a bad stain you will need to take the piece to a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned.
There are a couple of things that you will want to make a point of looking at when you are considering the purchase of vintage jewelry. If you can, look at the piece in natural light from all angles. Check the piece for verdigris on the findings and the metal portions; this can sometimes be cleaned and removed. Inspect all the moving parts on each piece to make sure they are still in working order. You may run across quite a few pieces that require much repair work and you need to decide if they are worth your time and money to have this type of work done.
There are a variety of places where you may purchase jewelry of the vintage persuasion including that prized vintage ivory bracelet you may be wanting. Check at estate sales, local auctions, flea markets, antique shops and local papers.