Hello
I am an ivory carver making jewelry and am trying to find a
dependable adhesive for ataching findings. i have worked with super
glues but have had a couple failures. The glue semed to break free
of the ivory. does any one have any sugestions as to a glue that
will hold to mammoth ivory and metals.
any other sugestions for atachment would be appreciated
Larry Seguine
an alaskan artist.
does any one have any sugestions as to a glue that will hold to mammoth ivory and metals.
Can’t speak to ivory per se, but E6000 is quite good at holding
dissimilar materials. It remains a bit rubbery, so different
expansion/contraction doesn’t break it. Seems to be quite strong.
Noel
Hi Larry,
I am an ivory carver too. generally, I solder a very short twisted
post onto the finding, then drill a small tight fitting hole into the
ivory where I want to attach it. I then use “two ton” two part epoxy
to carefully glue in the finding, wiping off any excess. So far that
has worked pretty well, but if the hole for the post is not a tight
enough fit, or the post is too short, or the finding is too heavy for
the carving, I have had failures too.
Because the ivory that I carve is fossil, it is pretty slick. Super
glues will never work and neither will other glues. That’s because of
the lack of porosity of both the metal and the ivory, combined with
the brittleness of the glue. There is nothing in that combination to
bind with.
Mostly though, my carvings are bas reliefs that I set into
individually hand formed bezel cups made to fit each piece.Those are
made from either silver or gold. I then set the carving as I would a
stone. In that case the findings are soldered onto the fitted,
backed bezel prior to setting and polishing of course. Now that
method works every time. 
Good luck!
Lisa, (ran out of propane yesterday, just as I was soldering on the
last bit of something. Watched that little flame go down down
down…man I hate that!) Topanga, CA USA
Hi Larry,
As a professional lapidary, I use adhesives many times a day. I have
found that the cyanoacrylates (Super Glues) work very well, but I
must do my part.
First, choose the proper adhesive. For help, see www.Loctite.com.
Also Google “Norland Adhesives”. You can talk to chemists at either
place and they will guide you, but I think the cyanoacrylates should
work well for you. I have not had a failure with ivory to metal that
I know of. Loctite makes a “Professional Grade” cyanoacrylate which
is better than most of the other stuff you buy at the hardware
store. Carefully clean all surfaces with acetone (caution) or 91%
isopropyl alcohol. Use as little glue as possible. Hold the parts
very firmly for 20-30 seconds. Be sure the parts mate perfectly. The
gap-filling cyano’s are good, but take longer to cure. Accelerators
hasten the process, but weaken the bond…don’t use them.
Some of the 2 part epoxies might be a good choice IF the piece is
not exposed to lots of moisture or water. Water WILL break down the
2 part epoxies, it’s just a matter of time.
Some of the Loctite epoxies that need to be special ordered will
provide a connection that can NEVER be released. They are pricey,
but work. Hope that helps.
Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter
I have used a rivet with the head as an embellishment. Or drill a
hole and make a baile for a pedant. I have used "Goop"or Shoe maker’s
glue,both easily available, since they don’t produce a hard bind so
they don’t shear when struck a blow. I have not tried the glues on
Ivory but they are worth a try and will both be a valueable addition
to your bench. Bill from L.I.
I am an ivory carver making jewelry and am trying to find a dependable adhesive for ataching findings. i have worked with super glues but have had a couple failures. The glue semed to break free of the ivory. does any one have any sugestions as to a glue that will hold to mammoth ivory and metals.
You will probably have to try some of the lapidary grade epoxies,
the slow curing types. Even fossil skeletal material has enough of a
fat content to make adhesive bonding a little dicey. You could also
try techniques like a split pin like those used for setting half
drilled beads. I’ve tended to avoid relying on adhesives with bone
and dentine because it can be tricky.
Ron Charlotte – Gainesville, FL
@Ron_Charlotte1 OR afn03234@afn.org
I think the cyanoacrylates should work well for you.
Not with fossil ivory. I agree with Lisa: use epoxy. The reason is
that fossil ivory (mammoth ivory is even worse than walrus ivory)
expands and contracts with varying weather conditions. Cyanoacrylate
glues tend to be brittle; they will crack and give up in those
situations. This is the voice of experience speaking :-).
Beth
Hey Larry,
Lee here, from Mammoth Ivory Creations. I been carving Mammoth Ivory
for about 20 years now and have found that for set in findings Zap
CA is the best if the finding is ridged and tight fitting. Other wise
use Zap-A- Gap. Both are Sieano ancalate (glorified super glue) but
they work.
For setting of stones and other exterior findings; 5 minute 2 part
epoxy works well. Just remember a little goes a long ways and be
sure to clean excess of the ivory before it sets super solid. Feel
free to contact me at Levenalee@yahoo.com if you have any further
questions.