- 1). Pick up the flatware i question and place it under the microscope. Look for the cut and smoothed areas of the handle material. Look for porosity -- lots of small holes at any cut end. Bone is very porous, especially when compared with ivory -- among the most easily confused materials when identifying bone.
- 2). Make a note of the circumference of the handle when dry. Bone absorbs fluids easily and swells as it absorbs the fluid, then shrinks as it dries. Place the handle into a glass of water and leave overnight.
- 3). Remove the handle form the water and check the circumference. If it has swollen, you likely have bone, not ivory. Ivory does not absorb liquid as easily or readily as bone.
- 4). Inspect the flatware for any identifying maker names or serial numbers. Write these down. Look up the maker's contact information and provide the serial numbers to the company. Ask for information on the design and materials used.
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