The facts
What elephant Ivory actually is
Mineralogically, elephant Ivory is dentine from the tusks of Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus — Hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH) approx. 60-70%, collagen approx. 30%, crystallising in the amorphous / fibrous system.
The colour is caused by essentially unpigmented; the warm patina is oxidation of the collagen. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.53-1.54, and the specific gravity sits near 1.70-1.98; cleavage is none; Schreger lines (engine-turned cross-hatching) visible in cross-section with outer angles above 115 degrees.
Where elephant Ivory comes from
The recognised sources are Historic: Central and East Africa, India, Myanmar and Thailand and No legal commercial source.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How elephant Ivory is treated
CITES APPENDIX I for Elephas maximus and for Loxodonta africana except four southern African populations on Appendix II with annotations that do not permit a commercial ivory trade. On top of that: near-total US federal commercial ban (ESA 4(d), 2016), the UK Ivory Act 2018 in force since 2022, an EU commercial ban since 2022, and a Chinese domestic ban since 2018, plus stricter state laws in New York, New Jersey, California and Hawaii. Assume it is unsaleable and unshippable. Schreger angle separates it from mammoth ivory.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What elephant Ivory is confused with
The usual confusions are Mammoth ivory, Walrus and hippo ivory, Bone, Tagua (vegetable ivory) and Celluloid and casein plastics ('French ivory').
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.53-1.54 and specific gravity 1.70-1.98 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What elephant Ivory is used for
Elephant Ivory is bought by mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 2.25-2.75; cleavage none; Schreger lines (engine-turned cross-hatching) visible in cross-section with outer angles above 115 degrees. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What elephant Ivory costs
Indicative pricing for elephant Ivory is No legitimate market.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is elephant Ivory treated, and how?
CITES APPENDIX I for Elephas maximus and for Loxodonta africana except four southern African populations on Appendix II with annotations that do not permit a commercial ivory trade. On top of that: near-total US federal commercial ban (ESA 4(d), 2016), the UK Ivory Act 2018 in force since 2022, an EU commercial ban since 2022, and a Chinese domestic ban since 2018, plus stricter state laws in New York, New Jersey, California and Hawaii. Assume it is unsaleable and unshippable. Schreger angle separates it from mammoth ivory.
Where does elephant Ivory come from?
Historic: Central and East Africa, India, Myanmar and Thailand and No legal commercial source. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is elephant Ivory hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.25-2.75 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does elephant Ivory cost?
Indicatively No legitimate market. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is elephant Ivory confused with?
Most often Mammoth ivory, Walrus and hippo ivory, Bone, Tagua (vegetable ivory) and Celluloid and casein plastics ('French ivory'). A refractive index of 1.53-1.54 and a specific gravity near 1.70-1.98 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for elephant ivory?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about elephant ivory