Care for Mammoth Ivory Jewellery
Mammoth ivory jewellery is made from a natural fossil material, not from plastic, resin or an acrylic imitation. Its structure, colour, grain and surface are what make each piece individual, and they are also why it deserves a little thought in how it is worn, stored and cleaned. None of this is complicated, and it is similar to how you would take care of your natural pearls.
The guidance below draws on the advice of conservators who care for ivory objects in museum collections. Its principles apply well to mammoth ivory jewellery worn every day, although an individual piece may need additional care depending on the other materials it contains and its condition.
Mammoth ivory jewellery is made to be worn. The aim of good care is simply to avoid the few things that can harm it.
Put It On Last
Ivory is a porous material. Conservators note that the natural oils of the skin and contact with coloured materials can stain or darken it over time, and that liquids, including perfume, body lotions or cleaning solutions, can damage it.
The simplest habit is to put your jewellery on last: after perfume, hair spray, creams and make-up have been applied and have dried. Handle it with clean, dry hands, and take it off before cleaning, gardening or any work that involves water, chemicals or dirt.
Keep It Away from Water
Keep your mammoth ivory jewellery away from water. Take it off before swimming, bathing, showering or using a sauna, and do not leave it in water or put it in an ultrasonic cleaner.
If a piece gets splashed or caught in the rain, gently pat it dry with a soft, clean cotton cloth and let it dry naturally at room temperature. Do not use a hairdryer, a radiator or direct sunlight to speed up drying: rapid changes in temperature and humidity are among the things that can cause mammoth ivory to crack or turn yellow. If a piece is cracked or damaged, or has been soaked, write to us before attempting any further cleaning.
Avoid Heat, Strong Light and Sudden Changes
Two important things to avoid are prolonged exposure to strong light and sudden changes in temperature or humidity.
Light can bleach ivory, so a piece should not be left for long periods in direct sunlight or under strong lamps. Extreme or rapid fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause small changes in dimensions, and over time these can lead to cracking.
In practice, that means not leaving a piece on a sunny windowsill, in a hot car, near a radiator, fireplace or air-conditioning unit, or in a steamy bathroom. Going straight from the heat of a sauna into cold water while wearing it is an example of a sudden change to avoid. Wearing your jewellery outdoors in ordinary weather is not the concern; prolonged exposure and abrupt extremes are.
Protect It from Knocks
Mammoth ivory is a durable natural material, but it can chip, crack or scratch if it is dropped or struck against something hard. Take a ring off before heavy work with your hands, and be careful around stone, tiles, metal and glass. When travelling, give each piece its own pouch rather than letting it travel loose among other jewellery.
Storing Your Jewellery
Store each piece separately, in a soft pouch or in its own compartment in a lined jewellery box, so that metal parts, clasps and gemstones cannot scratch the ivory. Keep it away from corroding metals and coloured materials, which can stain ivory, and avoid storing it on or against rubber, which can cause yellowing.
A normal indoor environment suits it well. Choose a place away from windows, exterior walls, heating and air-conditioning outlets, and avoid rooms where temperature and humidity change sharply, such as a bathroom.
If you are storing a piece for an extended period, wrap it in unbuffered, acid-free tissue paper or unbleached cotton before putting it away.
Cleaning
Most of the time, a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cotton cloth after wearing, if needed, is all that is required. Dust in fine details or carved areas can be lifted with a very soft, dry brush.
If more is needed, and only if the ivory has a smooth, glossy and undamaged surface, use a cotton swab that is barely dampened with water, then dry the piece immediately with a soft cloth. Never use water on a piece that is cracked or damaged. If the piece incorporates gemstones, glued components or other delicate materials, avoid wet cleaning unless you know it is suitable for the whole piece. Do not use soap, detergents, alcohol, jewellery cleaners or polishing pastes, and never scrub. The aim of cleaning is to remove surface dirt, not to change the surface itself.
A Patina, Not a Flaw
Over the years, ivory may gradually darken or change colour through exposure to its surroundings. This natural change is often described as a patina and may become part of the material's character. Uneven staining or a sudden change in colour is different, however, and may warrant a closer look.
When a Piece Needs Attention
Cleaning and repairing ivory are delicate tasks. Small surface marks or a dulled finish can often be refreshed by an experienced craftsperson, but doing so means working on the surface of the ivory itself, and not every piece is suitable. Please do not attempt to sand, polish or wax the ivory yourself. If a piece is damaged, very dirty or has lost its finish, write to us first and describe or photograph it. We can offer initial guidance and advise whether it needs professional assessment.
A Few Simple Habits
Mammoth ivory jewellery is made to be worn and enjoyed. Put it on last, keep it away from prolonged exposure to water, strong light and excessive heat, store it on its own, and clean it gently when needed. If a piece becomes damaged or its finish changes, seek advice before attempting anything yourself.
For more about the material and its history, read "Mammoth Ivory in Jewellery," or browse our Handcrafted Jewellery collection.
If you have any questions, please email us: info@arcticantiques.com
Bibliography:
Canadian Conservation Institute (2017, modified 2018). "Basic care – Ivory, horn, bone and antler objects". Government of Canada, Ottawa. https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/care-objects/indigenous-collections/basic-care-ivory-horn-bone-antler.html (Staining and darkening from skin oils and coloured materials; bleaching by light; small dimensional changes and cracking caused by extreme or rapid fluctuations in temperature and humidity; damage from liquids, including cleaning solutions and water; handling with clean, dry hands; avoiding direct sunlight, bright lights, heat sources, air-conditioning units, windows and exterior walls; wrapping in acid-free tissue or unbleached cotton; yellowing caused by rubber-based materials; cleaning with a soft brush, or with a barely dampened cotton swab only on undamaged, glossy surfaces without applied decoration; never soaking; gradual darkening considered a patina; cleaning and repair as delicate procedures for a professional.)
Canadian Conservation Institute (1988). Care of Ivory, Bone, Horn and Antler. CCI Notes 6/1. First published 1983. Canadian Heritage, Ottawa. https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/canadian-conservation-institute-notes/care-ivory-bone-horn-antler.html (Ivory as a porous material susceptible to staining; staining from contact with corroded metals and coloured materials; protection from sudden changes in temperature and relative humidity.)
