Elk Ivory

[Michelle_Nelson]

YES, they can crack if you boil them. 

[TrkyBob53]

definatly get all of the soft stuff off.  I then put them in my pocket with change.  carry them around for a few months.  nice and clean and shiny

[PolarBear]

I soak them in warm water and dish soap and clean them up with toothbrushes and dental tools.  Also, throw them in a rock tumbler for a couple of days with polishing grit.

[Grizzly95]

I never have change either, but the pocket trick is the best and easiest. I have an uncle that has countless teeth from his and friends that gave them to him and they have all been "pocket polished"

[steeleywhopper]

Treat them like your fishing for Steelhead. Put them in a bag of Borax. I have done this with all of mine and they turn out great. They dont stink and it makes it easy to scrape off the left over particles you could not get cleaned off the first time.

[bowtech721]

This probably sounds stupid but what are the ivorys? obviously they're teeth but what about them makes them so special and valuable compared to the others?

[elk311]

This probably sounds stupid but what are the ivorys? obviously they're teeth but what about them makes them so special and valuable compared to the others?

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/elk-report-43.htm

I'm not keen on the $ valuation comment but it's a good article explaining "ivories". In addition I have never done anything to the three sets that I have. Clean off as much meat as possible when you initially extract them and let 'em air dry. After that some slight rubbing will bring out a natural polish. If you want more, I'd ask a jewler what they recommend.

Good luck !

[HardCorpsHuntr]

Clean off most of the meat and cartilage.  Place set in your jean pant pocket and put jean in laundry bag.  When your wife hollers at you they're done (she's found them in the dryer.)

[bow4elk]

YES, they can crack if you boil them.  

I guess I've been lucky.  When I put them in the water, they are pretty clean to begin with.  A quick dip and the tissue cooks instantly and peels.  A fingernail is all that's needed to scrape them clean.  I suppose letting them bounce around in a pan boiling for a while would cause cracking.  Good warning.  I've done a lot of teeth and never had one crack, even some of the smaller cow teeth.

[Broken Arrow]

like most...scrape and put in the pocket of favorite jeans. After you get enough of them...its fun to take them out and "role the bones"...kind of voodoo....but i mess with my friends all the time....I'll role them on the table and then make up crap....

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Never had one crack and all of mine have been boiled in boiling water for less than 1 minute.

[gasman]

Let them dry naturally. Then saok them in water untill the remaining carlage and stuff fall off.


Found a carcus durring early elk season, took the ivory from the skull, and soaked then in a cup of water for 3 days. Tllk them out and scrared the remaining stuff off with easy.


Now what do i do with them 

[NWBREW]

Let them dry naturally. Then saok them in water untill the remaining carlage and stuff fall off.


Found a carcus durring early elk season, took the ivory from the skull, and soaked then in a cup of water for 3 days. Tllk them out and scrared the remaining stuff off with easy.


Now what do i do with them 

www.elkjewelry.net

[SGM R]

Don't boil, they do crack! I've never heard the tabacco tip, might work!

[DOUBLELUNG]

I just scrape them clean with a pocketknife.  Then a few hours between the cheek and gum to get off the last of the soft stuff.