The facts
What hippopotamus Ivory actually is
Mineralogically, hippopotamus Ivory is canine and incisor dentine of Hippopotamus amphibius - harder and whiter than elephant ivory, and slower to yellow — Hydroxyapatite with collagen, crystallising in the amorphous / fibrous system.
The colour is caused by unpigmented; stays white longer than elephant ivory, which is why netsuke and scrimshaw carvers liked it. 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 1.80-1.95; cleavage is none; fine concentric lines, no Schreger pattern.
Where hippopotamus Ivory comes from
The recognised sources are Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, Zambia and Malawi and Historic supply to Japanese netsuke and European dental-prosthesis workshops.
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 hippopotamus Ivory is treated
CITES APPENDIX II - permits required, and legal international trade exists in principle but is small and politically contested; a CoP19 proposal to move it to Appendix I failed. Hippo ivory has absorbed demand displaced by the elephant ivory bans, which has driven poaching. Several importing countries apply stricter national bans regardless of the Appendix II status.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What hippopotamus Ivory is confused with
The usual confusions are Elephant ivory, Mammoth ivory, Bone and Tagua.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.53-1.54 and specific gravity 1.80-1.95 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What hippopotamus Ivory is used for
Hippopotamus Ivory is bought by carving and sculpture and 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 block or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 2.5-3; cleavage none; fine concentric lines, no Schreger pattern. 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 hippopotamus Ivory costs
Indicative pricing for hippopotamus Ivory is Thin legal market; carved pieces $50-1,000 where import is permitted.
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 hippopotamus Ivory treated, and how?
CITES APPENDIX II - permits required, and legal international trade exists in principle but is small and politically contested; a CoP19 proposal to move it to Appendix I failed. Hippo ivory has absorbed demand displaced by the elephant ivory bans, which has driven poaching. Several importing countries apply stricter national bans regardless of the Appendix II status.
Where does hippopotamus Ivory come from?
Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, Zambia and Malawi and Historic supply to Japanese netsuke and European dental-prosthesis workshops. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is hippopotamus Ivory hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5-3 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 hippopotamus Ivory cost?
Indicatively Thin legal market; carved pieces $50-1,000 where import is permitted. 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 hippopotamus Ivory confused with?
Most often Elephant ivory, Mammoth ivory, Bone and Tagua. A refractive index of 1.53-1.54 and a specific gravity near 1.80-1.95 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for hippopotamus 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 hippopotamus ivory