Why is ivory so valuable?

Author: Orval Crona  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Prized for its beauty and usefulness, ivory is durable, relatively easy to carve in fine detail, and has a smooth, lustrous appearance. In comparison to teeth or tusks from other animals, elephant ivory has been favored because of its large size and homogenous appearance.

What is so special about ivory?

Ivory has had many uses over the years. Due to its porous and malleable nature, it can be used to craft a number of items. These might be everyday objects such as tools, jugs, and tableware. However, ivory is most often used as a status symbol and is therefore reserved for luxury goods rather than necessities.

Is real ivory worth anything?

The Ivory Trade is Big Business

Globally, the ivory trade is estimated to be worth $23 billion per year. And given that ivory sells for approximately $3,300 per pound, poachers have plenty of motivation to continue killing elephants for their tusks.

Who actually buys ivory?

Japan and Thailand are currently the other major markets for elephant ivory. Japan's online retailer Rakuten openly permits sale of elephant ivory products (page 2) and also allows advertisements of elephant products on its Japanese website.

Are elephants still killed for ivory?

Tens of thousands of elephants are killed each year for their tusks, and as a result, elephant populations have declined rapidly. The highest demand for ivory is in China, where tusks are carved into sculptures or used in other products. Many Chinese consider ivory a symbol of luck, wealth, and status.

Why is IVORY so Precious ?

Are human teeth ivory or bone?

Human teeth, like ivory, are composed of dentin and enamel. However, the ratio of dentin to enamel in human teeth is lower than in ivory, making teeth harder and more resistant to wear. Additionally, the color of human teeth is generally more yellowish compared to ivory.

What happens if you cut off an elephant's tusks?

It would be painful. There is a nerve that runs well down the length of an elephant's tusk. Cutting the tusk off would be painful, similar to you breaking a tooth. Remember that an elephant tusk is a modified incisor.

What happens if you own ivory?

U.S. federal wildlife laws and regulations do not prohibit possessing or display of ivory, provided it was lawfully acquired. There is no certification requirement or process to register ivory items and you do not need a permit from the Service to possess or display ivory for noncommercial purposes.

Can elephants live without their tusks?

Arnold said the researchers used simulated numerical models and statistical analyses to determine that a tuskless female elephant was five times more likely to survive versus one with tusks during the war, an example of strong selection pressure created by poachers.

How much do ivory tusks go for?

The price for ivory between July and October 2018 was approximately between 210-225 USD/kg, and in the span of two years it has decreased by approxi- mately 50% to 115 USD/kg in 2020.

Can I sell my old ivory?

Under Federal law, you can sell your African elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the African elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (January 18, 1990).

How to tell if it is real ivory?

The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until it's red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving. If the needle goes in, it's plastic; if not, it's probably ivory, or at least bone.

What can I do with inherited ivory?

If you have inherited pieces of jewelry or luxury goods made with ivory or ivory components, you can donate them to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement's National Wildlife Repository in Commerce City, Colorado, accepts donations of legally owned ivory products.

Why is ivory illegal?

Here are the facts. African elephants declined in massive numbers in the 1970s and 1980s because of poaching for the illegal ivory trade. So the international trade was banned by CITES in 1989. Some elephant populations have begun to recover, but poaching continues to be a problem in many areas.

Can you donate ivory to a museum?

Federal wildlife laws and regulations such as CITES, the ESA, and the AfECA do not prohibit donating or giving away your ivory item, or receiving an ivory item as a donation or a gift, provided it was lawfully acquired and there is no exchange for other goods or services involved.

What are 3 uses for ivory?

It is common to see small statues, figurines, and carvings made from ivory. Ivory chess sets, jewellery, and piano keys are all also seen as signs of wealth and status. Additionally, ivory is used as a form of traditional medicine in many parts of the world.

Can elephants feel pain in their tusks?

Pain experience caused by dentin or pulp damage of tusks seems to be negligible in elephants. In this study we examined the pulp tissue and the nerve distribution using histology, electron microscopy and immunhistochemistry. The results demonstrate that the pulp comprises two differently structured regions.

Do elephants have to be killed for ivory?

Behind every piece of ivory—whether it be a full tusk or carved trinket—is a dead elephant. Poachers kill about 20,000 elephants every single year for their tusks, which are then traded illegally in the international market to eventually end up as ivory trinkets.

Do elephant tusks fall off?

Elephant tusks are present at birth but are only milk teeth and eventually the “baby tusks” fall out after one year of age. The permanent tusks of African elephants first start to appear at around two years of age by protruding from the lips and will continue to grow throughout the elephant's lifetime.

Can you still buy real ivory?

Although the United States has stopped imports of African ivory they continue to allow trade in ivory items within the US and such items can still be exported.

Can you sell ivory on eBay?

However, due to the unique nature of eBay's global online marketplace and the growing complexity of the rules and regulations surrounding the sale of ivory, we decided to roll out a complete ban of the sale of ivory on eBay to protect our buyers, sellers, and the endangered and protected species from which ivory is ...

Who is the biggest buyer of ivory?

In terms of retail trade of elephant ivory, Hong Kong is the largest market in the world, and has been criticised for fueling the slaughter of elephants to meet the demand of customers principally from mainland China.

Are warthog tusks illegal?

Poachers illegally hunt warthogs across Africa for their ivory tusks which, unlike elephant tusks, are not illegal to sell, and for their bushmeat, which is sold locally. Warthogs are also hunted for sport or to be used as bait to attract and kill larger warthog predators, like lions and leopards.

Do elephants always remember?

Researchers believe elephants' good memories are a big part of how elephants survive and why so many live so long (50 to 60 years or more on average). Those who work closely with elephants also have noticed that elephants remember injuries and can hold grudges against those who have hurt them.

Why do zoos trim elephant tusks?

Fully voluntary from our elephants and trained through positive reinforcement, a tusk trim is a necessary husbandry procedure. Under human care, some elephants don't maintain the length of their tusks, so it's up to the care staff to help maintain their integrity.

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