Maya Ellison
Telling bone from plastic can be a tricky task, but there are a few methods you can use to help you distinguish between the two. One of the easiest ways is to use your sense of touch: bone and ivory tend to be very smooth and hard, whereas plastic can feel softer and flimsier. You can also use a magnifying glass to examine the surface structure: bone is porous and will have tiny dots, while plastic is non-descript and may show signs of moulding. Another test is to heat a pin and try to push it into the material—if it melts, it's plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Plastic may have a seam from being moulded, ivory has circular rings, and bone has pores. |
| Weight | Plastic is lighter than ivory. Ivory is heavier and more valuable than bone. |
| Smoothness | Ivory is very smooth, bone is porous and slightly rougher. |
| Durability | Ivory and bone are durable, plastic is flimsy. |
| Heat test | Plastic will melt when pricked with a hot pin or needle, bone and ivory will not. |
| Smell | Plastic and bone do not have a smell, bakelite smells like chemicals. |
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What You'll Learn
- Use your eyes: Plastic has a non-descript surface under magnification, while ivory has cross-hatches
- Use your hands: Plastic is lighter than ivory, but bone and ivory are similar in weight
- Use your teeth: Tap the object against your teeth—plastic has a distinct sound
- Feel the surface: Bone and ivory are smooth, hard, and durable. Plastic is often rougher
- Smell it: If it's bakelite, it will have a distinct chemical odour when warmed
Use your eyes: Plastic has a non-descript surface under magnification, while ivory has cross-hatches
When trying to distinguish between bone, ivory, and plastic, visual inspection is a good first step. Using your eyes, you can look for surface-level characteristics that can help identify the material. Plastic, for instance, often has a non-descript surface under magnification, lacking any noticeable patterns or features. On the other hand, ivory exhibits distinct characteristics, such as cross-hatches or Schreger lines, which are curved grain lines that intersect. These lines form a unique cross-hatch pattern when viewed in cross-section, particularly with elephant ivory.
To perform a visual inspection, it is recommended to use a handheld magnifying glass to closely examine the surface of the object. Place the object on a flat surface and hold the magnifying glass a few inches away, adjusting the distance until the object comes into focus. Once focused, carefully inspect the surface for any signs of pores, lines, or patterns.
The appearance of pores or lines on the surface can help differentiate bone from ivory. Bone, for example, tends to have a porous surface, resulting in a slightly rougher texture compared to ivory. However, it's worth noting that some types of bone can undergo polishing, making them feel smoother, similar to ivory. Therefore, visual inspection of the pores or lines on the surface can be a more reliable indicator.
In addition to the visual inspection, it is important to consider other factors as well. For instance, the weight and smoothness of the material can provide additional clues. Ivory and bone tend to be heavier and feel more substantial than plastic. They also tend to have a smoother surface compared to plastic, which may feel softer or exhibit a flimsier texture.
While visual inspection and tactile examination can provide valuable insights, it is always recommended to perform multiple tests to confirm the material's identity. No single test can provide a definitive judgment, and combining multiple methods increases accuracy. For example, the use of a long-wave black light can be an effective initial step, as plastics and resins typically fluoresce blue or blue-white, while genuine ivory usually fluoresces white.
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Use your hands: Plastic is lighter than ivory, but bone and ivory are similar in weight
While bone and ivory can be similar in weight, plastic is usually lighter than both. However, it can be challenging to distinguish between bone and ivory or plastic, especially for those untrained in identifying materials. Here are some ways to use your hands to tell the difference between bone, ivory, and plastic:
Feel the surface
Bone, ivory, and plastic can differ in how they feel to the touch. Ivory and many types of bone are very smooth, hard, and durable. Bone is porous and tends to feel slightly rougher than ivory. If the surface is rough or soft, it is likely not genuine bone or ivory. Plastic can also feel smooth, but it may have seams, even if they are very subtle.
Tap it against something hard
Bone, ivory, and plastic will sound different when tapped against a hard surface. Plastic will have a distinct "plasticky" sound.
Use a hot needle
An age-old test to distinguish ivory from plastic is to heat a needle until it is red-hot and then prick the item. If the needle goes in, it is plastic. However, this method should be avoided on small or valuable items, as it can damage them.
Use a black light
Black light can be used to rule out artificial materials. Plastics and resins typically fluoresce blue or blue-white, while genuine ivory usually fluoresces white. Bone, vegetable ivory, and glued-together ivory dust react like genuine ivory under black light.
It is important to note that these tests may not always be conclusive, and it may be necessary to use a combination of tests or a magnifying glass for a more accurate identification.
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Use your teeth: Tap the object against your teeth—plastic has a distinct sound
One way to tell the difference between bone and plastic is to use your teeth. Tap the object in question against your teeth, and you will find that bone and plastic have very distinct sounds. This is a commonly used method to differentiate between the two materials.
Another way to test the material is to tap it against something hard or metallic. The sound produced will help you identify whether it is bone or plastic. Bone and plastic will sound different when tapped against a hard surface.
You can also try scratching the object with your fingernail. Plastic and bone will feel different when scratched. Additionally, you can use a piece of sandpaper and sand the object gently. Bone will have a distinct smell, whereas plastic will not have much of an odour.
A further test involves using a non-permanent marker. The ink will likely be absorbed by bone, whereas it will probably wipe off plastic.
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Feel the surface: Bone and ivory are smooth, hard, and durable. Plastic is often rougher
When trying to distinguish between bone, ivory, and plastic, one of the key identifiers is the feel of the surface. Bone and ivory are very smooth to the touch, and feel substantial, hard, and durable. Plastic, on the other hand, is often rougher, with a softer or flimsier texture. Running your finger over the surface can help you assess its smoothness and hardness.
While bone and ivory can be similar in appearance, weight, and feel, ivory tends to be of higher value and is more regulated. It is important to first determine if the piece is made of bone or ivory, or if it is a synthetic material like plastic.
One way to differentiate bone from ivory is to use a handheld magnifying glass to examine the surface closely. Bone is usually covered with pores or small holes, while ivory is often marked by straight, cross-hatched, or swirled lines.
In addition to feeling the surface, some people suggest using a hot needle test to distinguish between bone and plastic. This involves heating the needle until it is red-hot and then touching it to a non-critical area of the object. If it produces a burning smell, it is likely bone; if it melts, it is plastic. However, this test is not recommended by experts as it can damage the piece.
Other non-invasive tests include feeling the weight of the object, as plastic is usually lighter than ivory or bone, and feeling the temperature, as plastic will feel warmer.
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Smell it: If it's bakelite, it will have a distinct chemical odour when warmed
One way to tell bone from plastic is to smell it. If you apply heat to an object made of bone, it will give off a particular smell. Some have likened this to corn or corn chips, such as Fritos. Others have described the smell as meaty, like ribeye cooked on a grill. Plastic, on the other hand, can also have a distinct smell, especially cheap plastic items, which often have a strong tangy odour. This is likely due to the presence of residual monomers, manufacturing substances, or added odour-masking substances.
Bakelite, a type of plastic, also has a distinct chemical odour. When Bakelite is warmed under hot running tap water, it releases a formaldehyde-like scent. This is known as the hot water test, a standard method for determining the authenticity of Bakelite. Another test for Bakelite is the Simichrome test, which involves applying a non-abrasive cream to the object and observing whether the cloth turns yellow. However, this test may not work on lacquered or black Bakelite pieces.
Therefore, smelling an object and identifying its odour can be a useful way to distinguish between bone and plastic, particularly in the case of Bakelite, where its distinctive chemical smell can be a telltale sign.
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Frequently asked questions
Bone and ivory are very smooth to the touch and feel substantial, hard, and durable. Plastic is usually lighter than ivory and bone. If the surface is rough or soft, it is likely not bone or ivory.
Use a magnifying glass to examine the surface structure. Plastic is non-descript upon magnification, while bone has pores, and ivory has lines or cross-hatches. You can also look for the seam that is often detectable in a piece of molded plastic.
One destructive test is to heat a pin until it is red-hot and then prick the material in an inconspicuous place. If the pin goes in, the material is plastic. If not, it might be bone or ivory. Alternatively, you can rub your finger on the material and then smell it. If it smells like chemicals, it is likely plastic.
