What is Ivory?

Ivory is a dense, hard, white material that is derived from the tusks and teeth of animals, such as elephants, walruses, and whales. It has been used for thousands of years to create a wide variety of decorative and functional objects, such as jewelry, carvings, and musical instruments.

However, the use of ivory has become controversial due to the illegal poaching of elephants and other animals for their tusks and teeth. Many countries have banned the trade of ivory in order to protect these animals and their habitats.

Types of Ivory

There are two main types of ivory:

• Elephant ivory - This is the most commonly known type of ivory and is derived from the tusks of elephants. It is illegal in many countries due to the decline in elephant populations.
• Walrus ivory - This type of ivory is derived from the tusks of walruses and is often used by indigenous people in Alaska and Canada for carvings and other traditional crafts.

Ivory Trade

The ivory trade has been a major source of revenue for many countries, but has also led to the decline in elephant and other animal populations. In an effort to protect these animals, many countries have banned the trade of ivory and have implemented strict laws and regulations to prevent poaching and illegal trafficking.

It is important to be aware of where ivory products come from and to avoid purchasing anything made from illegal ivory.

Ivory Jewelry

Ivory has been used to create beautiful and intricate jewelry for centuries. However, due to the controversy surrounding the ivory trade, many jewelers now use alternative materials, such as bone or resin, to create ivory-like pieces.

Ivory Carvings

Ivory is a popular material for carving due to its density and durability. It has been used to create a wide variety of decorative and functional objects, such as figurines, chess pieces, and netsuke.

Ivory Musical Instruments

Ivory has been used to create musical instruments for centuries, such as piano keys and guitar nuts. However, due to the controversy surrounding the ivory trade, many instrument makers now use alternative materials, such as plastic or bone, to create similar pieces.