what is wrong with my ivory?

[BLADECARVER]

i have an ivory tusk i wear on a black leather lace around my neck. now this is a nice old tusk nice yellow aged i noticed since wearing it around my neck it has developed like a blackish stain on the tusk i am thinking what has happened is the black dye in the leather has got onto the tusk i may be wrong but is there any opinions on this ? if this may be the case with the dye bleeding on the tusk is there a way to get it off without doing damage to the tusk?

 

[LRB]

Try some tooth whitener. Black dye is one of the worst for bleeding out.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

First try scrubbing it with dish soap, then use baking soda. That will brighten and destain most ivory/bone. If it is still there, you can bleach the tusk, but it will loose the nice yellow color. If you need to bleach it, make a 10% bleach solution, and place the piece in it after complete cleaning. Check and scrub the piece often. When it is about right, rinse many times in plain water. The yellow can be restored with a dip in meted beeswax. Buff the wax with a cotton cloth to get a nice color.
Stacy

 

[BLADECARVER]

ok great thanks i will try that. i appreciate it

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I heard from BLADECARVER, and he said the baking soda did the trick.
Stacy