Over the many years of carving and selling Bone Carvings, these are the questions that customers most often ask us. 

1. What type of bone is used for bone carving?

Most modern bone carvings are made from beef cattle bone, chosen for its strength, availability, and sustainability.
Whale bone is far less common and only sourced from naturally stranded whales under strict cultural and legal guidelines. It’s treasured, but not widely used.

2. Should my bone carving turn yellow over time?

Yes — and it’s a beautiful part of the journey.
Bone is naturally porous, so it absorbs the oils from your skin. Over time, this creates a warm, golden patina that brings out the texture of the carving. Māori often describe this as the piece taking on your mana — your spirit and life essence. It’s considered a positive transformation.

3. My carving is bright white — does that mean its plastic?

Not at all.
Bone is bleached during the carving process to achieve a clean, bright finish. A white carving doesn’t mean it’s synthetic. Look for natural grain, tiny imperfections, or subtle colour variation — these are all signs of genuine bone. Plastic tends to look too perfect and uniform.

4. How can I test if my carving is made of plastic?

There are a few ways to check — but use caution:

• Red Hot Needle Test: Heat a needle and touch it to an inconspicuous spot.
  Plastic melts; bone blackens but doesn’t melt.
• UV Light Test: Some plastics glow under UV light; bone generally doesn’t.
• Destructive Test (only if it’s already broken): Burn a small edge. Plastic melts and drips; bone chars and smells like singed hair.

5. Why did my carving break?

Bone is strong, but it’s also brittle.
Once removed from the body, bone no longer has the protection of muscle and sinew. Many carvings feature fine details, which naturally reduce strength. A fall onto a hard surface is the most common cause of breakage. Treat your carving with care — it’s a delicate piece of art.

6. Is it okay that the piece has a curve and isn’t perfectly flat?

Yes — that’s completely normal.
Bone doesn’t come in flat sheets; it’s naturally curved and oval in shape. Longer carvings, especially, will show some curvature. On the inside curve, you may notice tiny tubular channels — these once carried nutrients through the bone. Sometimes they’re filled with a white sealer to create a smooth finish. It’s all part of the authenticity of real bone.

7. Why does the cord feel waxy?

A waxy cord is a sign of quality.
The wax coating protects the fibres from fraying, helps the slip knots move smoothly, and extends the cord’s lifespan. It also protects the cord from moisture and everyday wear.

8. Can I swim or shower while wearing my carving?

You can — but it’s not recommended.
Water, soaps, shampoos, and chlorine will shorten the life of your cord and can affect the colour of the bone. To keep your carving looking its best, remove it before swimming or showering.

9. Do I need to get my bone carving blessed?

It’s common in New Zealand, but not required.
A blessing can be done by anyone — it’s simply a moment of intention, a few words of goodwill, or a prayer. Many people choose to bless a carving to impart positive energy or mark the beginning of its journey with its new wearer.

10. Can I buy a bone carving for myself?

Absolutely.
Unlike pounamu (greenstone), which is traditionally gifted, bone carvings can be purchased for yourself without breaking any cultural customs. Treat yourself — your carving will still hold meaning and mana.