Mastodon ivory?

[diginupbones]

I was told by someone familiar with the location where this was found that this is mastodon ivory. They said that it turns this blue and cream color in this area. Just wondering what the experts think. Thanks
 

[Rockwood]

I can't really confirm it, but I sure wouldn't argue against it.

[MrBones]

2nd picture looks like some Chinese writing!

[diginupbones]

On 8/2/2020 at 12:50 PM, MrBones said:

2nd picture looks like some Chinese writing!

 

Hmm, perhaps that means its from an Asian elephant!  

[diginupbones]

I found some large pieces of this same material last week that may help with identification. They seem to be complete sections of tusk of some sort. The end views may be helpful for someone knowledgeable about ivory. Feel free to tag anyone you think may be helpful with this. Thanks

[abyssunder]

If there are Schreger lines visible on the transversal section(s) of your second specimen, the possibility of proboscidean tusk might be on the right way, in my thinking.

[diginupbones]

The recent post by @darrow got me interested in these pieces again. Does anyone have advice on how to get a better identification on these? Should I do a cross-section cut on the end of one of these pieces and polish it? I think I can see some very faint Schreger   lines on the end of one of these but not enough for identification. Thanks @abyssunder @digit @Shellseeker 

[Shellseeker]

I have never seen a tooth of a Probiscean tooth that displays this type of layering. Your fossil must be tusk.

 

Below are a couple of photos of a Mastodon Tusk I found 5 years ago.

The butt end seems to be similar to the photo of your fossil. In my experience, I have only been able to see Schreger lines in the butt end of tusks, and sometimes in the roots of mastodon teeth. You can "see" these lines in the butt end photo below.

 

 

 

Take a look at your last photo... I tried to enhance the image.... not enough pixils

In order to determine , which Probiscean tusk you have, you must get a higher res photo like this.

[val horn]

how far are you from the mammoth site in hot springs SD.  I would think it part of a mammoth tusk, but taking it [or a piece of it] it a real expert for hands on examination is the way to go.

[garyc]

I do see some tusk like qualities, especially the colors. I’m not seeing any Schreger lines though. Any chance of this being petrified wood?

[PaleoNoel]

38 minutes ago, garyc said:

I do see some tusk like qualities, especially the colors. I’m not seeing any Schreger lines though. Any chance of this being petrified wood?

I agree with the others who have said tusk, I believe I can see some faint Schreger lines on this shot, more apparent in the lower part of this piece.

[Pemphix]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schreger_line

https://www.fws.gov/lab/ivory_natural.php

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318504983_IDENTIFICATION_AND_DIFFERENTIATION_OF_THE_ASIAN_ELEPHANT_IVORY_BY_USING_SCHREGER_LINES

https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Ivory-genuine-fake--confusing

As PaleoNoel said, maybe Schregers in the last photo, but not sure...

Could be agatized wood too (picture 6)...

[diginupbones]

I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. 

[abyssunder]

5 hours ago, diginupbones said:

I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. 

Correct

[fossilus]

6 hours ago, diginupbones said:

I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. 

 

I'm not sure how mineralized your pieces are, but I've had some luck with Texas tusk pieces (that are not heavily mineralized), using a knife to shave a little off the end.