How can you tell how old ivory is? A Comprehensive Guide to Dating and Authenticating Ivory

Determining the age and authenticity of ivory is complex, but absolutely essential for collectors, dealers, museums and anyone participating in the antique ivory trade. There are several scientific methods for accurately dating ivory, from radiocarbon dating to Raman spectroscopy. Ivory can also be authenticated through tests like hot needle, ultraviolet light, examination of Schreger lines and more. This complete guide provides collectors, appraisers and enthusiasts the facts, data, and expert insights needed to properly evaluate the age and authenticity of ivory pieces.

Overview: Why aging ivory matters

Ivory from elephant tusks has been prized for millennia, but the massacre of elephants for their ivory is now spurring worldwide efforts to shut down the illegal ivory trade and poaching. Determining age is critical because ivory from extinct woolly mammoths, and elephant ivory harvested before recent bans, can still be traded legally in many countries. This guide will cover:

• Scientific dating methods like radiocarbon dating and Raman spectroscopy
• Non-destructive authentication techniques to identify real vs fake ivory
• Factors that influence ivory value including age, type, quality and provenance
• Laws and regulations governing the ivory trade globally and in key nations
• Expert tips for collectors on safely investing in legally sourced antique ivory

Let‘s dive in and shed some light on the murky world of ivory identification!

Radiocarbon dating: The gold standard for determining ivory age

Radiocarbon or carbon-14 dating is the most reliable technique for accurately dating when an animal died and ivory formed. Here‘s how it works:

• Living organisms absorb carbon-12 and radioactive carbon-14 isotopes at a constant ratio from the atmosphere
• When an animal dies, the C14 decays at a predictable rate while the C12 stays stable
• Measuring the ratio of C14 to C12 in a sample reveals when the organism was alive
• The ratio is compared to a calibration curve going back 50,000+ years to determine age

For ivory, a sliver is taken and undergoes accelerator mass spectrometry to count remaining C14 atoms. The sample size is tiny but the technique is destructive. Cost is $500-$1000 and takes 1-2 months. Accuracy is +/- 20-150 years depending on sample quality and equipment.

Radiocarbon dating has successfully dated ivory as old as 50,000 years, covering extinct mammoths to early elephant ivory:

• A 50,000 year old mammoth tusk found in Siberia was C14 dated last year.
• Fragments from a ~37,000 year old mammoth tusk in Poland were dated.
• A small carving from a ~13,500 year old mammoth tusk was dated accurately.
• Elephant tusks from 450-900 AD India were dated to track ivory trade.

While radiocarbon dating is costly and time consuming, it remains the most accurate scientific method for determining ivory age when required.

Non-destructive methods: Raman spectroscopy, LIBS and XRF

Because radiocarbon dating destroys a bit of the sample, research has focused on non-destructive analytical techniques that approximate ivory age:

Raman spectroscopy

• Uses laser light scattering off molecular vibrations to analyze composition
• Effectively distinguishes ivory types (elephant, mammoth, hippo, whale)
• Can‘t pinpoint age but separates ancient, antique and modern ivory
• Portable Raman devices under development for on-site testing

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

• Vaporizes tiny sample with laser pulse and analyzes light emitted
• Measures elemental ratios indicating ivory origin and age
• Shows promise for differentiating antique vs modern ivory
• Being researched as portable screening device

X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

• Bombards sample with X-rays to excite atom emissions indicating elements present
• Some promise for differentiating African vs Asian elephant ivory (89% accuracy in study)
• Limited use for age determination

|| Radiocarbon Dating | Raman Spectroscopy | LIBS | XRF |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| How it Works | Measures C14/C12 ratio | Analyzes molecular vibrations | Vaporizes tiny sample | X-ray emissions analyzed |
| Destructive? | Yes | No | Micro-destructive | No |
| Accuracy | +/- 20-150 years | Low | Moderate | Low |
| Speed | Slow (months) | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Portability | No | Future potential | Future potential | Yes |
| Cost | High | Low | Moderate | Moderate |

In summary, radiocarbon dating remains the gold standard for determining exact ivory age. Raman spectroscopy shows promise for quick on-site screening. But more research is still needed to develop reliable rapid authentication methods.

Authentication: Testing for real vs fake ivory

In addition to assessing age, it‘s critical for collectors, appraisers and others to authenticate whether an object is real ivory or an imitation:

Look for Schreger lines

• Crosshatch grain patterns visible under magnification
• Found only in elephant ivory cross-sections
• Indicates center of tusk versus outer surface

Do a hot pin test

• Ivory is more heat-resistant than bone, plastics and resins
• Touch hot needle to inconspicuous area
• If it leaves a mark, it‘s likely fake

Check for fluorescence

• Under black light, ivory:
  • Mammoth: faint fluorescence
  • Elephant: chalky fluorescence
• Plastics glow bright blue

Evaluate density and sound

• Ivory is noticeably heavy compared to imitations
• It gives a "ping" sound when tapped gently

Assess grain and texture

• Look for tight, consistent grain without pores
• Feel the smooth, almost slippery surface

With experience, collectors can learn to spot subtle signs of genuineness: slight translucency on thin edges, a faintly marbled surface, the cool feel of real ivory. But beware of high-quality modern fakes! Get a second opinion on any expensive or questionable pieces.

Factors influencing ivory value

For collectors looking to invest in antique ivory, it helps to understand what drives prices:

• Ivory type – Mammoth ivory is extraordinarily rare and costly. Asian elephant ivory is less expensive than African.

• Age – The older the better. Mammoth ivory >10,000 years old is most prized. For elephant ivory, pre-1890 and pre-1950 command higher prices.

• Size – Intact tusks are priced by weight. Larger carvings, figurines, and objects are more valuable.

• Quality – Ivories with minimal cracks and defects, luminous polish, fine details and pleasing color have superior grades.

• Subject matter – Carvings and figurines of people, religious scenes, etc. fetch higher prices than abstract forms.

• Provenance – Pieces with documented ownership history get a premium, especially named artists.

Ivory prices have escalated dramatically in the past decade. In 2010, raw mammoth tusks sold for ~$400/lb but now fetch $1500 to $2000/lb. Carved mammoth figurines went from ~$70/in³ to over $500/in³ currently.

Laws and regulations governing ivory trade

While appraising ivory based on age, type, artistry and more is important, abiding by national and international laws regulating the ivory trade is absolutely paramount for collectors, dealers and auction houses.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

• Blanket ban on international trade of elephant ivory from 1989, with exceptions for antiques.
• CITES approved one-off sales of ivory stockpiles from southern African countries to China and Japan in 1999 and 2008.

United States

• African elephant ivory trade banned except antiques ≥100 years old with proper documentation.
• Asian elephant ivory ≥75 years old can be traded.
• Intrastate commerce banned completely in CA, NY, NJ, WA, HI and other states.

European Union

• EU law prohibits trade in raw ivory harvested after 1947.
• Export of pre-1947 antiques requires certification.
• France, UK, and Netherlands have implemented stricter national ivory bans recently.

China

• 2018 ban halted all domestic ivory trade after being world‘s largest ivory market.
• Black market activity remains an issue.
• Previous "legal" ivory drives poaching and illegal export.

Collectors must research national, state/province, and local restrictions before purchasing, transporting or selling ivory pieces – even antiques. Ivory trafficking prosecutions are on the rise worldwide.

Expert advice for collectors

For seasoned collectors, connoisseurs, and enthusiasts hoping to invest in antique ivory artworks, here are some recommendations:

• Seek out pieces with ironclad provenance – the more documentation, the better. Auction archives are useful.

• Partner with a reputable appraiser to assess age and value. Get second opinions on expensive works.

• Confirm antiquity via radiocarbon dating if there are any doubts or value is high.

• When in doubt, assume ivory is modern and avoid it. Legality risks outweigh uncertain artifacts.

• Focus on museum-quality works to ensure investment value. Flaws dramatically decrease prices.

• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true – ivory "bargains" are likely contraband.

• Review all applicable laws on ivory trade and transport – don‘t take legality assurances at face value.

• Support efforts to save elephants by avoiding questionable ivory and advocating for protections.

The bottom line – exercise extreme caution collecting antique ivory. Acquiring illegally poached artifacts defeats conservation aims. But investing ethically in exquisite, historically important examples honors ivory‘s legacy.

Conclusion

I hope this guide provides a valuable, thorough overview of scientifically dating ivory, spotting forgeries, understanding pricing dynamics, navigating laws, and collecting best practices. Proper authentication and documentation are essential to participating responsibly in the antique ivory trade. As consumers, we can appreciate ivory‘s singular beauty while advocating for living elephants and permanent protections. What an amazing material ivory is, with such a complex, profound history we must never forget.