[Rockhounds] baleen

[Tim Fisher]

That's not true; I have several artifacts made from materials of the 
type that are regulated by CITES including walrus ivory, baleen, and 
whale bone; the documentation is simple and any legal seller will 
send it with the material. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits 
the sale of marine mammal products and parts, except when sold as 
Authentic Native Articles of Handicraft made by an Indian, Aleut, or 
Eskimo who resides in Alaska and dwells on the North Pacific Ocean or 
Arctic Ocean coast. So, buy a cheap baleen carving, and use it as raw 
material. Or, buy in Canada, who have no such restrictions.

At 04:04 PM 8/4/2007, you wrote:
>Baleen is the jaw material of some whales if that is what you are
>referring to. And if it is regulated the way other whale material is
>then you can forget about using it. You have to have certification
>that it was harvested prior to the protective law going into effect
>(the 1950's or earlier I think) or I think you have to be an Alaskan
>Native to use it.
>
>BK
>
>On 8/4/07, Catherine Gaber <bg at his.com> wrote:
> > has anyone ever worked with baleen? i saw some in alaska and it takes a
> > very nice polish. does anyone know a source of material?
> >
> > cathy
> >

Tim Fisher
Ore-ROCK-On!
Email address at http://OreRockOn.com