[Source] Bones for carving

Jewelry Discussion
1

I would like to find a source for some clean and good quality bones
that i can carve for jewelry. I don’t need large pieces but I don’t
want porous pieces of bone. Some flat pieces would be wonderful -
maybe 10 mm-20mm thick and 3-4 inches long would be great. Does
anyone have any ideas. I’ve tried taxidermists but the bones are
porous and need a lot of cleaning

Thanks Joni

2

All bones are porous some more than others. Good bones for carving
are beef shank bones.

If you can find a real butcher ask for some of these. They will cut
them about 8"inches and you may be able to get them split in half
length wise.

I cut mine with a bandsaw. Scrape out the marrow if possible and
prepare to make beef stock.

Boil the bones in water. To get bones as thick as you are asking for
you will need to go to AFRICA.

for the big critters. They use beef bones for the New Zealand Morai
bone jewelry carvings.

This will get you started. I will add more later.
jesse

3

try hideandfur.com also known as Moscow furs in Moscow Idaho.

4 
I would like to find a source for some clean and good quality
bones that i can carve for jewelry. I don't need large pieces but I
don't want porous pieces of bone. Some flat pieces would be
wonderful - maybe 10 mm-20mm thick and 3-4 inches long would be
great. Does anyone have any ideas. I've tried taxidermists but the
bones are porous and need a lot of cleaning

A lot depends on where you live. Here in North Florida, there are a
lot of cattle and horse breeders, both professional and hobby, and
it’s fairly easy to come by because there is always natural
attrition. I have to do my own prep, but it’s not really that much an
issue. For the most part it’s like making soup stock.

If you want bone that’s already been de-fleshed and not treated with
anything harsh, your best bet is to find a “Mountain Man Redevous”
gathering, or sometimes Civil War reenactments, or even Renaissance
Fairs. Often there are vendors there who sell such raw materials.

For smaller pieces, the large supermarket style pet stores usually
have clean, food-safe bones as well (some of them are nearly full
sections of cow thigh bone).

For the dimensions you want, you want to find shoulder blades and
jawbone plates, both of which are fairly large flat pieces that are
also tight grained and dense.

Ron Charlotte – Gainesville, FL

5

Beef shank bones are available cleaned dried and wrapped in the dog
toy or dog food part of your favorite grocery. They appear yellowy
brown but are not really. The colour is painted on. I have used them
for carving figures and carved parts for my boat models and it
carves great. I dont know if you canget half an inch but definately
3/8ths. Have you ever tried taga nuts which are plant ivory.

6

Joni,

I’ve dealt with these folks. They have a good selection, good
quality, good prices, and good service:

Michael

7

Try a pet supply store. They sell sections of beef leg bone already
cleaned.

RC

8

The big-box pet store chains often carry sterilized ox bone, which,
when cut intelligently, can yield pieces the size you’re looking
for. It’s certainly easier than trying to defat and bleach bones
yourself. I find a bandsaw saves a bit of time, but a hand-operated
hacksaw will cut this material pretty easily. Here’s a link to some
available online: http://www.jbpet.com/Natural-Bones,851.html

Andrew Werby

9

Joni, go to the local meat cutter & tell him you want large femur
bone. nice & white, hard & clean and cheap too. He probably can /
will cut it up in manageable pieces. I have some deer leg bone but
its too small.

Mtlctr

10

Yes there are a number of man made replacements for Ivory. Micarta
(Tufnol is the industrial name) Westinghouse makes one version.

Rucarta is another that is another a very hard product there is
Coral rucarta, Linen rucarta It is handled by the AG Russel knife
company Lowell Arkansas.

Ivorine is an all plastic resin product

Ultra Ivory, Eagle Grips Company Carol stream Illinois

Corian counter top works just like wood or ivory.

You can pick up a cue ball, as they are made from materials that
duplicate the real thing.

Also most of the pen making sites, or wood working suppliers have a
faux ivory in square blocks and round stock, in sections. Again it
is as close to the real thing as possible next to the tagau

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljan99.htm

More properly called the ivory nut palm. Here is one place that has
the round blanks in assorted sizes

http://www.treelineusa.com/materials

One important thing about working with bone, Do not breath in the
dust, when working with it. In addition to the bone dust you will
also be breathing in any residual chemicals used to bleach and
prepare the bones. You never know what is used when they are
imported from overseas. With human bone dust there are a number of
illnesses that can be transmitted by inhaling the bone dust.

If you would like some very good books on Ivory and its replacement
carving try here they seem to be the place for books on ivory and
scrimshawing. http://www.schifferbooks.com Either of Jim Stevens
books are great for working carvers. They also have a very good
supply list of the real stuff pre CITIES elephant, mammoth,antler,
bone and man made.

glen

11

Check out Faux Bone on the web. http://www.fauxbone.com
Good substitute for bone.

Hope this helps,
Linda Kaye-Moses

12 
I would like to find a source for some clean and good quality
bones that i can carve for jewelry.

http://tinyurl.com/yhaw24g
Usual disclaimer.

Best regards,
Robert P. Lowe Jr.
Lowe Associates - Brasil Gemstones, Rough, Specimens
Tucson - Feb 2 - 7, 2010 - GJX booth # 205

13

I had misplaced the contact info for a bone supplier i had used until
I got a Christmas card from him. I know some one was looking for a
good reliable supplier. well here is your man. yes he is in India but
he has a very good product he will custom finish bone or horn any way
you want. he will send out samples if there is a possibility of a
steady purchase. His prices are very cheap even cheaper if you use
your own shipping account.

well to sum it up i highly recommend him. tell him i referred you Jen
lane i just want him to know i kept my promise he has been ripped off
by a few buyers. and he still trusted me.

praveen varshnei
Prashant Handicrafts 
Manufacturers & exporters of Buttons, handicrafts & gifts items )
station road, bahjoi-202410 
(moradabad) india 
telefax :91-5921-243136