Omar Khalid
Telling bone from plastic can be tricky, especially when it comes to antiques or items like guitar saddles. There are several ways to differentiate between the two materials. One common method is to use a magnifying glass to examine the surface structure and look for pores or lines; bone usually has pores, while plastic often has uniform colour and seams. Another way is to gently tap the item against something hard or your teeth—bone and plastic sound different. You can also try the hot pin test by heating a needle and touching it to an inconspicuous spot; plastic will melt, while bone will char. Smell is another differentiator, as bone has a distinctive odour, while plastic does not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound | Plastic will have a more "plasticky" sound when tapped. |
| Texture | Plastic will feel smooth to the touch, while bone will have pores or small holes. |
| Weight | Plastic is noticeably lighter than ivory, which is heavy. |
| Colour | Most plastic will have a uniform colour, while bone will have some variation. |
| Smell | Natural bone will have a natural smell, like mud. |
| Marker test | A non-permanent marker will be absorbed by bone but will wipe off plastic. |
| Hot pin test | A hot pin can be used to identify plastic, but this method is dangerous as it can cause celluloid plastic to explode. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a magnifying glass to check for pores or lines
To tell the difference between bone and plastic, one method is to use a magnifying glass to check for pores or lines. This is a useful technique to identify bone from ivory, which may look similar. Ivory is made from the tusks and teeth of elephants, whales, and other animals, and is highly regulated.
To use this method, place the object on a flat surface and hold the magnifying glass a few inches away. You may need to move the magnifying glass closer or further away until the object comes into focus. Once focused, examine the surface of the object for pores or lines.
Bone is a natural material and will have some variation. When viewed under magnification, bone will have pores or small holes on its surface. These pores are a key indicator that the object is made of bone.
On the other hand, ivory tends to have a smoother surface. If you observe straight, cross-hatched, or swirled lines under the magnifying glass, the object is likely made of ivory.
It is important to note that this method may not be definitive, as some replica materials can mimic the appearance of bone or ivory. Therefore, multiple tests may be required to confirm the identity of the object.
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Listen to the sound it makes when tapped
One way to tell the difference between bone and plastic is to listen to the sound each material makes when tapped. Bone is considered to be a better option for guitar nuts because it is a denser material and therefore more efficient at transferring energy from the strings to the guitar. This results in clearer and stronger open notes. However, some people argue that once a string is fretted, the nut is out of the picture and does not affect the sound.
When tapped, bone and plastic produce different sounds. Plastic may ring out louder when the high strings are played open compared to fretted notes. On the other hand, bone can make the open notes sound closer to fretted notes in volume. Additionally, the G-string sounds much better with a bone nut.
To identify whether an object is made of bone or plastic, you can tap it against something hard or your teeth. The sound produced by bone will be different from that of plastic. However, it is important to note that the difference in sound may not be noticeable to everyone, as some people are more sensitive to subtle variations in sound.
While listening to the sound of the materials when tapped can be a helpful indicator, it is not the only way to distinguish between bone and plastic. Other methods include feeling the texture, observing the presence of seams, and conducting a hot needle test.
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Feel for a seam, often found in plastic
When trying to distinguish between bone and plastic, one of the key things to look out for is the presence of a seam. Seams are often found in pieces of moulded plastic. To the naked eye, plastic may appear to have a uniform colour, whereas bone, as a natural material, will have some variation.
If you are examining a small object, such as a bead, you can try rubbing it dry with a cloth to see if it absorbs any water. Plastic will not absorb water, but bone will. You could also try a non-permanent marker test, as the ink will probably be absorbed by bone but will wipe off plastic.
If the object you are examining is a musical instrument, such as a guitar, you may be able to tell whether it contains plastic or bone by playing it. Some people claim that plastic guitars ring out louder when the high strings are played open compared to fretted notes, whereas bone produces a better tone.
It is important to note that some of the tests used to distinguish between bone and ivory, such as the hot pin test, can also be used to distinguish bone from plastic. However, these tests can be dangerous and are not recommended by experts.
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Check for uniformity of colour
One way to tell the difference between bone and plastic is to check for uniformity of colour. Bone is a natural material and will have some variation in colour, whereas most plastic will have a uniform colour.
Another way to differentiate between the two is to use a magnifying glass to examine the surface of the object. Bone will have pores or small holes, while plastic will not. This method can also be used to distinguish between bone and ivory, as ivory will have straight, cross-hatched, or swirled lines, rather than pores.
It is also possible to differentiate bone from plastic by gently tapping on the material with something hard or metallic and listening to the sound it makes. Plastic will produce a "`plasticky`" sound, whereas bone will have a different sound profile.
Additionally, one can perform a non-permanent marker test. A non-permanent marker will immediately wipe off plastic but will be absorbed by bone.
It is important to note that these methods may not be definitive, and the best way to accurately identify a material is to consult an expert or use specialised equipment.
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Try the hot needle test
The "hot needle test" (or "hot point" test) is a method used to distinguish bone from plastic. It involves using a hot needle to probe the physical melt or deformation behaviour of the material in question. If the material is plastic, the needle will easily penetrate it. This test is particularly useful for identifying microplastics, which can be difficult to identify due to their small size and diverse characteristics. However, it's important to note that this test is not always accurate and can be destructive, especially when dealing with valuable items like vintage plastic jewellery.
To perform the hot needle test, you will need a needle and a heat source to heat the needle. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Heat the needle until it is hot enough to melt plastic.
- Carefully touch the heated needle to the surface of the material you are testing.
- Observe the reaction of the material. If it is plastic, the needle will penetrate it easily, and you may see melting or deformation. Bone, on the other hand, will not react in the same way and should be more resistant to the hot needle.
- For added safety, it is recommended to perform this test in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate protective gear, such as heat-resistant gloves and eye protection.
While the hot needle test can be useful in certain situations, it is not the only method for distinguishing bone from plastic. Some alternative methods include:
- Visual inspection: Plastic often has a uniform colour and may have seams that are detectable, especially in moulded plastic. Bone, being a natural material, usually has variations and may have small holes or pores.
- Magnification: Using a magnifying glass or a magnification loop, you can inspect the surface structure of the material. Plastic typically appears non-descript under magnification, while bone may exhibit natural variations.
- Tapping: Try gently tapping the material with something hard or metallic. Plastic and bone may produce different sounds when tapped.
- Sound test: As suggested by an antique expert, you can tap the object against your teeth to discern the material. Plastic is said to produce a more "plasticky" sound.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to tell the difference between bone and plastic, especially when it comes to antiques. One way to identify bone is to look for pores or lines on the surface of the object using a magnifying glass. Bone usually has pores, whereas plastic tends to have a uniform colour.
Yes, you can try the "tap test". Simply tap the object in question with something hard or metallic and listen to the sound it makes. Plastic will sound more "plasticky".
Ivory is heavy and cold to the touch and will have "Schreger lines" or circular rings. Bone will not have these lines but will have brown or black pores.
Yes, some sources suggest using a hot pin or needle to distinguish between materials, but this can damage or ruin your object and is not recommended.
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