Are the ivory keys on a piano worth anything?

If they have a big enough collection of old ivories, they will have a greater chance of matching. Before laws tightened, a set of ivory keys may have been worth thousands of dollars. If you find anyone selling or trading ivory today, you should use caution as laws are complex.

Is the ivory on old piano keys valuable?

Ivory keytops are not valuable.

Because the trade in ivory is completely outlawed around the world, the keytops are not valuable. But even if it was legal, remember that only a thin veneer on top of the key is made of ivory.

How do I know if my piano keys are ivory?

Look for an ultraviolet torch. Hold it above the piano keys. If you notice the keys reflect either bright white or violet-blue colours, the keys are made of ivory. Artificial material like resins or plastics will show a completely different reaction.

Can you own a piano with ivory keys?

The short answer to this question is no, you can't buy new pianos with ivory keys anymore. They have been outlawed on new pianos since the 1970s in the United States although some European manufacturers continued to offer ivory keys on select pianos into the 1980's.

How old does a piano have to be to have ivory keys?

Although pianos over 100 years old that have appropriate documentation can qualify for an “antique” exemption, pianos in the U.S. were made with ivory until the 1950s. Thousands of pianos made between 1914 and the 1950s would not be able to qualify as antiques.

Are Ivory Piano Keys Worth Anything?

What is ivory worth?

That's a lot of money in most African countries. But the big profit is made in Asia. Thai Customs recently evaluated smuggled ivory as being worth $1,800 per kilogram—$18,000 per elephant—wholesale. The “street value” retail price of 10 kilograms of carved ivory now runs about $60,000.

What year did pianos stop using ivory?

In 1990, a global treaty was signed, banning trade in all kinds of rhino or elephant ivory. Pianos with ivory keys are no longer manufactured, but many older pianos with ivory keys still exist and are in use.

Are old upright pianos worth anything?

Antique pianos are pianos that're at least a hundred years old, and, like antique books, they're not worth a lot of money just because of their age. In actuality, these old instruments may be worth very little at all, depending on their brand and condition.

Can I sell a piano with ivory keys UK?

In short, no, you cannot legally sell old ivory piano keys; they would have to be sold with the original pre-1975 instrument they are taken from. Often, ivory keys are offered to piano technicians who can hold onto them until they are required as part of historic restoration.

Can you clean ivory piano keys?

When cleaning your ivory piano keys, there is a mild solution of just warm water with a little bit of dish soap that will be sufficient and effective. Be sure that whatever cloth you decide to use, it is best if it is white in color so that no other colors bleed onto the white keys.

How do you remove ivory from piano keys?

There are a few ways to clean yellowing ivory piano keys. You can use a gentle soap and water with a soft cloth. For more stubborn yellowing, try a white toothpaste, lemon juice, or rubbing alcohol. Always use a clean white cloth for ivory keys.

Are used keys worth anything?

Is There Any Value To Old Keys? Whether or not your keys have value will depend on the type of keys you have. The implication of this is that the less common your keys are, the more value they will have. For instance, if you are fortunate to have some really old antique keys, there is value in them.

How do I know if my piano is worth anything?

To determine if your piano can be sold, there are some basic things to ponder: overall appearance, brand, and age/condition. Overall Appearance: People who buy decent-quality pianos of higher value usually have well-decorated environments for them to be placed.

What can I do with an old upright piano?

You may want to go to the local classified boards, or classified ad sites such as craigslist or Gumtree. More often than not, someone will be willing to take your piano off your hands for you. Offer it to them as sold as seen with local pickup only.

Do white pianos turn yellow?

The popularity of these finishes has dwindled to where it is sometimes difficult to find dealers that will stock White/Ivory pianos. Yellowing is not an issue with the new poly finishes. If you like the white one best, and now you know that it won't yellow as it ages, buy it.

What can you make with old piano keys?

Can I sell old ivory?

It is now illegal to sell or have the intent to sell ANY IVORY within the State of California or to sell it to any bidders within the State of California REGARDLESS OF THE AGE of the ivory.

Can I sell ivory on eBay?

real ivory is a restricted item & cannot be sold on ebay.

How can you tell how old ivory is?

in Boston, described an age-old test that ivory lovers have used to distinguish their ivory from plastic pretenders. The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until it's red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving.

When did selling ivory become illegal?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) decided to end international ivory trade in 1989. This year marks thirty years since the ban entered into effect, on January 18, 1990.

Do Steinway pianos have ivory keys?

Steinway of Steinway & Sons about piano keys no longer being made of ivory. Plastic coverings for keys are used now. Mr. Steinway, who is the 6th member of his family to head the firm since its founding in 1853, said ivory has always been a pain in the neck.

Why are my piano keys yellow?

Whether your piano features ivory or plastic keys, over time they can become yellow and/or faded. Many players accept this as simply part of owning a piano.