14th Anniversary Gifts: Ivory, Agate

14th Anniversary Gifts:
Ivory, Agate

Rare IVORY (traditional)
and colorful AGATE (modern)
make distinctive 14th Anniversary gifts.

Traditional 14th Anniversary Gifts:
~ IVORY ~
Ivory is tooth or tusk material, as opposed to bone or horn/antler, which are not as hard and dense as ivory. The harvesting of "new" ivory has been widely banned to protect endangered species, and the limited supply of antique or fossil ivory is reflected in high prices - so it's not easy to find genuine ivory gifts for the 14th year anniversary.

Small ivory carvings such as these from Alaska are prized by collectors but priced in the hundreds of dollars, as is most scrimshaw (but isn't it beautiful!). Jewelry made of elk ivory (elk are the only North American mammals with ivory teeth) is similarly expensive.

Here are a few scrimshaw pieces that are more affordable for 14th anniversary gifts. Ivory writing instruments are distinctive, though a pen trimmed with ivory makes a less expensive fourteen year anniversary gift.

"Mandarin" ivory, a polyresin commonly known as alabastrite, is a popular ivory alternative used to make interesting items you might consider for 14th anniversary gifts - statues, fountains, and this elephant plant stand.

Another excellent ivory alternative is the tagua nut of South America, known as "vegetable" ivory and similarly suitable for a fourteen year anniversary gift. You can choose among figurines and jewelry as well as chess sets and Christmas ornaments carved from tagua.

For something a bit different, we can think of traditional 14th anniversary gifts in terms of an ivory brand or color for items made of any material, from soap to upholstered furniture to automobiles. Or, you might choose a gift from the Ivory Coast - for example, to protect your anniversary couple's home, a hand carved wooden warrior mask is a fourteen year anniversary gift that means business!

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Modern 14th Anniversary Gifts:
~ AGATE ~

An agate is a nodule that forms within a bubble in "host" rock, usually volcanic lava. When the nodule is cut and polished, concentric layers of agate are revealed that make a beautiful material for modern 14th anniversary gifts. Natural agate colors are shades of gray, red and brown, and other dyed colors are often seen in agate gift items.

An agate nodule with a hollow center is called a geode, which may contain crystals such as quartz or amethyst. Nodules/geodes are usually round or oval and measured in inches, though rarely a huge nodule may weigh hundreds of pounds. Nodules/geodes are often halved, polished and sold as display pieces - distinctive 14th anniversary gifts for couples who admire nature's beauty.

Agate nodules are often cut into free-form shapes and cabochons for jewelry. They may be sectioned to make products like bookends, or sliced for use as drink coasters or wind chimes - all good ideas for modern 14th anniversary gifts.

Agate can be carved into colorful bowls and tea light holders. A graceful agate gemstone tree makes an artistic fourteen year anniversary gift. Thinly sliced agate is translucent, and in nightlights and lamp shades it produces a colorful glow.

For something a bit different, we can take a different approach. First, a destination gift to a place with "agate" in its name (Agate Park, Beach, Mountain, or Lake, for example) should be easy to find, given that agate occurs naturally in many areas of the world. Or, we can choose 14th anniversary gifts with an agate finish, like this "blue agate" tableware.

Most remarkably, Agateware pottery, introduced in 18th Century England, closely simulates natural agate. It was made by combining different colored clays, and antique pieces are much sought by collectors. Modern agateware is produced at Bouchet Agateware Pottery of the Channel Islands (Jersey) in the UK. Mr. Tony Bouchet has spent 30 years perfecting a nearly impossible process that others have been unable to duplicate.

Bouchet agateware can be purchased only by visiting the artist's studio. Hmmm... a journey to Jersey to buy agateware - what a romantic fourteen year anniversary gift!

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14th Anniversary Gifts:Ivory, Agate

14th Anniversary Gifts:
Ivory, Agate