JamesOliver's Blog

James Oliver & Sons

Elephant Ivory

Published: 11-09-2011 12:59pm

The question about legal and not legal. Ivory that was here, in the USA, BEFORE the law was passed in the mid 80's is called preban ivory. Today it is legal to sell, buy, trade this pre ban Ivory. What is NOT legal is bringing Ivory into the USA...or shipping Ivory out of the USA. It is very rare because all there is in the USA right now is ALL THERE WILL EVER BE. MAMMOTH IVORY has no restrictions what so ever. Shipping mammoth into, or out of the USA is allowed. Shipping any ivory inside the USA is ok. ... » Read More

Trendhunter article features my studio

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

Mammoth Ivory by James Oliver & Sons Mammoth remains have been found amazingly preserved in ice and James Oliver has a piece of this prehistoric history fabulously showcased in a dynamite ring! Wooly Mammoths were huge elephant-like animals with long noses and curving tusks. They were cold climate animals and were covered with a coat of long shaggy hair. Roaming in herds across the cold grasslands, especially in the Russian Region, mammoths had their start in the Pleistocene Age (around 2 million years ago) and became extinct at the end of the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago. http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=5436 http:/... » Read More

Renaissance Wax

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

Ivory can get dry and get splits in the grain, or rings. And it hates changes in humidity and getting wet. It loves Renaissance Wax. It is made in England and it used by Museums, Dealer and Collectors world wide. Ivory, Leather, Wood, Marble, Paintings, Guns and just about everything else. Formulated by the British Museum. I got mine on Ebay. The small 65mil can will last most of us forever. If you own Ivory, you should have some. Use it when ever you wear the piece or once a month.... » Read More

Legal Ivory

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

It is legal to buy and sell Elephant Ivory in the USA. You CAN NOT Import or Export it. If the Ivory was in the USA in 1989 it is considered to be Pre-Ban Ivory. Because you can not Import it, all that is in the USA is considered to be Pre-Ban and is legal. All there is in the USA, is all there will ever be. When you see Ivory for sale in the USA it is Pre-Ban...there is no such thing as POST Ban Ivory. Just so you know.... » Read More

SOLDERING STERLING SILVER

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

I have two things in mind when I solder a piece. I want it to stay together forever. And I do not want to see ANY SOLDER when Im finished. None...anywhere. I only use HARD solder and that take's care of the lasting forever part. Don't use more than you need. I use snip's of sheet solder. Never wire solder. If I can see any of it I remove it with engraving tool's, file or buffing. There are no "puddle's" of solder around the band on the back of my ring's. The exception in my studio, to not seeing solder, would be my round wire band's. On those the HARD solder get's buffed and becomes part of the design. This is not m... » Read More

Sizeing a ring

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

If you find a ring you like in my studio and it is your size....you where very lucky. To size a ring up 1 size, or 1/2 a size can be done with out removeing the stone. More than that I take the stone out, remove the band and open or close it to the correct size and solder it back on. With my "scroll", or wire rings I just build a new one. I don't charge anything for doing all this work. It takes an hour....minimum... and with some of them 2 hours. So if your looking don't let the size stop you. I can make you one that fits and in most case's, ship it the next day. Email me and lets talk about it. My inventory or cabs is hugh....2... » Read More

FIRE SCALE...WHAT IS IT?

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

You get fire scale on silver when you get it real hot while you solder. It shows up when you polish as a purple looking stain. It is copper that comes to the surface during the heating process. You see it a lot on hand fabricated jewelery. You can not remove it by using pickle. You have to buff it off with tirpole or rouge. You have to get back down to the silver. It takes a bit of extra work. In my work most of the time it shows on the back of the piece. That is why you see the back of all my work. I think the back should look as good as the front. Don't you ? ... » Read More

MAMMOTH TUSK IVORY

Published: 11-09-2011 12:58pm

All of the Mammoth tusk ivory I use come's from Russia. In the 10,000 to 30,000 year old range. The one in the photo is 160". Most of what I buy is found during the short thaw in Siberia, by Hunter's. Fasinating reading if goggle it. Color's and tone's come from mineral's in soil they have been buried in all these century's. Several ton's are found each year. Unlike Eleaphant Ivory, there are NO trade restrictions on it.. ... » Read More

Trendhunter update

Published: 11-09-2011 12:57pm

Just to update the piece in Trendhunter about my mammoth tusk Ivory rings. Over 2,600 views and still climbing. Thanks SWANK ! http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/james-oliver ... » Read More

Seller's Information

JamesOliver

United States
Items Sold: 34
Last checked in:
Today
Seller Rating:
Contact Seller

Awarded Artifacts

Certified Handmade Artisan

Certified Handmade Artisan:

If you see this artifact you know that the artisan has been through a juried review process and of the items listed in their shop are made by hand by the Artisan. This artifact is the symbol of total commitment to making with your own two hands. That commitment is very special, and it deserves recognition.
Fire Mentor Artisan

Fire Mentor Artisan:

These Artisans are well versed in the process and services of ArtFire. They have agreed to help new artisans and sellers get the most out of ArtFire. If you are stuck and need to ask a quick question, or just want to learn from the best, you should contact a Fire Mentor Artisan. Fire Mentor Artisans are wonderful guides and helpful mentors in our handmade artisan community.
Maven

Maven:

The ArtFire Maven Team helps us grow and prosper as a community and marketplace. Through collaborative promotional efforts, maven exclusive product testing, and regular brainstorming and feedback opportunities, the maven team has helped to shape ArtFire into the vibrant and growing venue it is today.
Guild Artisan

Guild Artisan:

This artifact indicates that the artisan is a member of at least one trade guild. Guilds are a team system within the handmade community that provide for cooperative efforts to learn, teach, compete, and improve the community and the arts.