The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Karen gestured for Donna to unveil the item, and with a flourish, Donna lifted the red velvet cloth, revealing a pair of ivory tusks on the tray beneath. Donna, with utmost care, placed them before Karen. The tusks, a creamy white, stood elegantly. Karen picked up one, her gaze fixed upon it. She inspected it closely, her fingers gently caressing its surface. She then brought it to her nose for a subtle sniff and finally tapped it against the table, producing a faint, resonant sound.

Suddenly, with a swift motion, she hurled the tusk to the floor, where it shattered into two, its pieces scattering.

Donna gasped, her face a mix of shock and anger. "Karen, what are you doing? Do you have any idea how rare these tusks are, how hard I worked to find them for your appraisal?"

Karen waved her off, her tone soft. "Donna, calm down. The tusk I broke is a counterfeit. I've just examined it closely. There are four signs to distinguish the authenticity of ivory."

Donna, still fuming, demanded, "Then explain, give me a reason!"

Karen, unruffled, began, "First, genuine ivory should have bloodlines within it. This piece did indeed have bloodlines, but they were too fresh and red, clearly imitated. Real ivory's bloodlines are more muddied and deepen over time."

felt slightly rough, not

absence of natural grain patterns on its surface.

embarrassment as Karen's reasoned explanation made it clear that the broken tusk was indeed a

change in demeanor, bent down to pick up a piece of the shattered tusk. "Do you understand why I had to break your tusk now?" Donna shook her head, still

test was its density and hardness. High-quality ivory should be tough

Karen suggested, "Try the other

hesitantly took the remaining tusk, examining it through Karen's lens. Her spirits lifted as she found the bloodlines appropriately muddied, the surface smooth and cool to the touch, resembling fine silk, Excitedly, she noted the presence of subtle grain patterns and, with a deep breath,

melodious sound.

room burst into applause, their initial doubts replaced by admiration for Donna's intent

Donna thanked Karen. "I wanted to gift a genuine piece of ivory to my grandfather for his birthday, as a token

that learning and applying