I live in western Wyoming where there is very little humidity. I have had two hippo ivories crack and just now noticed that one of my unmounted elephant ivories has developed a crack and chipped at the lower end. Is there something I can rub into the ivory to prevent damage?

I'm sure the pro's will have some good advice, perhaps better than what I do.

I rub a thinned mixture of Elmer's Glue on teeth for the various skulls in my collection. I thin it with water, smear it on covering the whole tooth. It dries clear. I don't know how well this would work with something as big as an elephant tusk.

Glycerin

Ann, that sounds great for smaller teeth, but I'd hate to have the ivory covered in glue.

JBrown, do you use 100% glycerin or diluted with something?

Scott you have a PM

Dennis not to put you on the spot buddy but I think there are a lot of us that would like to know how to prevent it. Fixing it after the fact? That is for the pros!

I've heard of people using mineral oil for smaller pieces. Call the guys at Boone trading co. They deal a lot with ivory.

Go to paleobond.com If this stuff is good enough for fossils and fossilized ivory, it ought to work like a charm. My buddy put it on his hippo tusks and was very pleased.

I was instructed to use bees wax on mine. That's what I've been using for the past year.

FYI, this is the reply I got from Paleo Bond:

Dear Scott,

The tusks sound beautiful and you most certainly would want to preserve them gently! Bill Mason, the owner of Paleo Bond and 'mad scientist' behind the products suggests the following:

PB-002 Penetrant and Stabilizer to penetrate into the vascular system of the tusk. It will fill the micro cracks and strengthen the entire piece.

Step 1: Make sure tusk is clean and dry. Try using a green 3M scrub pad to lightly clean the surface and then wipe clean.

Step 2: While working on a clean, lint free surface - work in sections and place the P & S in very small amounts along the surface drop by drop. DO NOT BRUSH OR WIPE ON....it will just stick to the bristles or cloth!! A small piece of cardboard can be used to push the P & S along the surface, but always keep it moving. Allow the tusk to absorb as much as it can. You will know when it is 'full' when the tusk will no longer absorb the liquid, very much like a sponge that goes from dry to wet.

Step 3: Spray surface with PB-304 Activator and allow tusk to cure for about 30 minutes. The surface may look a bit cloudy at this point.

Step 4: Use your 3M scrub pad to go over the tusk and lightly sand any excess or drips. Add more P & S if needed and repeat activator and cure.

Step 5: Take an absorbent paper towel (I like Bounty) with straight Acetone on it and gently wipe the surface of the tusk. This will remove small amounts of excess and a micron's worth of the Penetrant below the surface. Buff to your desired finish with a soft cloth.

Please do not hesitate to contact Bill via his cell phone at 612-840-7139 should you have further questions or need help during the process.

Best Regards,

Kristen
Paleo Bond Customer Service

Scot, I would put some of that preserver in the nerve cavity also. You won't have a concern with finish or luster in there so you can just swab some in there.

Tom