Ivory or plastic?

[pheasantvillecollectables519]

I've had these brooches around for several years.  They were sold to me as ivory but I'm just not sure - they seem to be fairly lightweight for ivory.  The pins on the back look old.  And, if they really are ivory, can I even sell them to the USA?  If you need a close-up photo, let me know.

[mimiwells]

I don't see any lines running in them, but I'm not really good with ivory.  They look more like celluloid to me. 

[pheasantvillecollectables519]

I see no lines or pores so I'm pretty sure it's not ivory or bone.  Especially when I consider who I got it from - I didn't pay very much for the brooches so I'm sure I'll make more than my money back even if they are only plastic.

Any guesses as to age?

[mimiwells]

It is not plastic.  I am sure it is Celluloid, that is different then plastic.

Early 1900's for sure. 

[pheasantvillecollectables519]

Thank you very much.  Celluloid sounds better than plastic  And I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with selling real ivory anyway, so I am happy with information you have given me.

[don-franciscos-sister]

I'd just like to say that you have better eyes than me to be able to tell from the photo whether there is any striation (bone) or cross-hatching (ivory)!

[old.crows.nest]

Pictures are to small to see any detail that might be needed for a possible ID.

[1940fc]

I agree..the photos aren`t clear enough to tell. Need to have a closer view.

Even if they were ivory..ya can`t list them anyway.

[old.crows.nest]

I saved the images to my iPod folder so I could see the max resolution but the detail is to blurry to make out the material. Could even be Mother of Pearl based on what I see.

[old.crows.nest]

If you hold the front of the Brooch to your cheek is it cold or neutral temperture?

[pheasantvillecollectables519]

They don't feel cold, just slightly cool, basically room temperature.  They are definitely not mother of pearl.  I looked with loupe and there are no lines.  Here's a better photo of just one brooch; I hope it will show details better.  But I should say, I've already listed them as celluloid.

I thought it was allowed to list some ivory?  I wasn't sure I could export it to the US though.

[old.crows.nest]

If you post a close up can it be of the one showing the front on the left. (That is the one where I see the MOP characteristics.) To be certain it is the correct one, it will be the one that shows the three curls on each side of the bottom.

[old.crows.nest]

Thanks, that is the one. Why do to think it is not MOP? Not all examples, especially older ones are as iridescent, they more have a waving glow like yours does along the bottom.

[old.crows.nest]

Ivory cannot be listed on ebay. And some States have laws about selling.

[pheasantvillecollectables519]

I have a jar full of mop buttons and I've seen a lot of it, even have some mop earrings listed.  This is definitely more like plastic.  And mop would be cold, this isn't..