Types of Ivory: Differences Between Elephant, Mammoth, and Walrus
Ivory has fascinated humans for centuries, prized for its smooth texture, creamy color, and versatility in art and craftsmanship. However, not all ivory is the same. Different animals produce distinct types of ivory, each with unique characteristics that influence their use, value, and legal status. The three most commonly recognized types of ivory come from elephants, mammoths, and walruses. This article explores the differences between these types of ivory, focusing on their origins, physical properties, uses, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding them.
What is Ivory?
Ivory is a dense, hard material composed primarily of dentin—a calcified tissue found in the tusks and teeth of certain mammals. It has been used for millennia to make decorative objects, jewelry, piano keys, billiard balls, and religious artifacts. The beauty and rarity of ivory made it a luxury item historically associated with wealth and status.
The physical qualities of ivory—smoothness, ability to be finely carved, and a natural lustrous sheen—make it ideal for detailed artwork. However, due to overhunting and poaching, many ivory-producing species are now endangered or extinct. This has led to strict international regulations governing the trade of ivory.
Elephant Ivory
Origin and Species
Elephant ivory is the most well-known type of ivory. It comes from the tusks of African elephants (Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). African elephant tusks are generally larger than those from Asian elephants.
Physical Characteristics
Elephant ivory is characterized by its creamy white color with a slight yellow or pinkish hue. It displays a distinctive pattern called Schreger lines when viewed under transmitted light or in cross-section. These lines form a crisscrossing or chevron pattern that helps identify true elephant ivory as opposed to other materials or fakes.
Schreger angles (the angles formed by the intersecting lines) are unique to elephant ivory:
- African elephants: Schreger angles greater than 115 degrees.
- Asian elephants: Schreger angles less than 115 degrees.
This difference is important for forensic analysis and legal identification.
Elephant ivory is dense but workable; it can be carved into fine details while maintaining strength.
Uses
Historically, elephant ivory has been used extensively for:
- Ornamental carvings
- Jewelry
- Piano keys (before synthetic substitutes)
- Handles for knives and other tools
- Religious icons and artifacts
Due to its large size and availability (until recent decades), elephant tusks have been favored in large-scale carvings.
Legal and Conservation Issues
Elephants have faced significant threats due to poaching driven by the demand for ivory. International trade in elephant ivory has been banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1989. Various countries have also enacted their own bans or restrictions.
Despite this, illegal poaching persists in some regions, fueling black markets. Legal sales are tightly regulated and often limited to antique pieces. Conservation efforts focus on protecting elephant populations and curbing demand through awareness campaigns.
Mammoth Ivory
Origin and Species
Mammoth ivory comes from the tusks of woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius), an extinct species that roamed much of the Northern Hemisphere during the Ice Age until about 10,000 years ago.
Because mammoths are extinct, their tusks are recovered from permafrost deposits in Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and other Arctic regions where they have been preserved frozen for thousands of years.
Physical Characteristics
Mammoth ivory is similar in appearance to elephant ivory but often exhibits a more yellowish or brownish tint due to mineralization over thousands of years underground. The surface can show varying coloration patterns caused by exposure to soil minerals.
One key distinguishing feature is its Schreger lines:
- Mammoth ivory Schreger angles are typically less than 90 degrees.
- The pattern can appear more intricate or tighter compared to living elephant ivory.
Because mammoth tusks have been buried for millennia, the material may be harder or more brittle due to mineral replacement processes.
Uses
Since mammoths are extinct and their ivory is not subject to CITES restrictions in the same way as elephant ivory, mammoth ivory has become a popular alternative for artisans and consumers seeking legal ivory options. Common uses include:
- Jewelry such as beads and pendants
- Carvings and sculptures
- Knife handles
- Artistic inlays
The unique coloration patterns also add an aesthetic appeal distinct from modern elephant ivory.
Legal Status
Because woolly mammoths have been extinct for thousands of years, trade in mammoth ivory is generally legal worldwide. This makes it an attractive source for artisans who want genuine ivory without contributing to poaching or illegal wildlife trade.
However, some countries may still regulate mammoth ivory imports or sales depending on local laws. Sellers often provide certification or provenance information guaranteeing it is fossilized mammoth rather than recent elephant ivory.
Walrus Ivory
Origin and Species
Walrus ivory derives from the elongated upper canine teeth of walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). Native primarily to Arctic regions around Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway (Svalbard), and Russia, walruses use their tusks mainly for defense and social dominance rather than digging.
Walrus tusks grow continuously throughout their lives but are much smaller than elephant or mammoth tusks—typically only a few inches long compared to several feet for elephants.
Physical Characteristics
Walrus ivory differs notably from elephant and mammoth ivories both structurally and visually:
- The interior structure includes an outer layer of solid dentin surrounding a core of porous “secondary dentin,” which appears as small holes or chambers visible on cross-section.
- The color tends to be whiter with occasional shades ranging from cream to orange-brown.
- It lacks Schreger lines seen in elephant/mammoth ivory but often shows distinctive concentric growth rings.
Walrus ivory has a slightly softer texture than elephant ivory but remains durable enough for carving fine details.
Uses
Historically used by indigenous Arctic peoples for thousands of years, walrus ivory has been crafted into:
- Tools such as harpoon heads
- Decorative carvings representing animals or mythological figures
- Jewelry including pendants and bracelets
- Small sculptures used in trade or as cultural items
In contemporary markets, walrus ivory remains popular among Native Alaskan artists who create traditional carvings sold worldwide.
Legal Considerations
Unlike elephant ivory subject to international bans, walrus hunting is regulated but permitted under indigenous subsistence programs with strict quotas designed to prevent overharvesting. The sale of walrus ivory harvested legally by indigenous hunters is allowed domestically within some countries such as the United States under specific provisions (e.g., Marine Mammal Protection Act exemptions).
Internationally traded walrus ivory can sometimes face scrutiny depending on enforcement policies but generally remains legal if sourced sustainably according to regulations protecting marine mammals.
Summary of Differences
| Feature | Elephant Ivory | Mammoth Ivory | Walrus Ivory |
|———————|————————————–|————————————–|———————————–|
| Source | Tusks of living African/Asian elephants | Fossilized tusks of extinct woolly mammoths | Tusks (canine teeth) of living walruses |
| Age | Contemporary | Thousands of years old (fossilized) | Contemporary |
| Color | Creamy white with yellow/pink hues | Yellow/brownish due to mineralization| White to orange-brown |
| Schreger Lines | Present; angles >115° (African), <115° (Asian) | Present; angles <90° | Absent; shows porous core & growth rings |
| Size | Large (up to several meters) | Large but variable | Small (a few inches) |
| Legal Status | Heavily restricted/banned internationally | Generally legal | Regulated but legal under subsistence hunting |
| Common Uses | Carvings, piano keys, jewelry | Jewelry, carvings | Traditional tools & carvings |
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between elephant, mammoth, and walrus ivories helps clarify their distinct origins, appearances, uses, and regulatory contexts. Elephant ivory remains highly regulated due to conservation concerns while mammoth ivory offers a legal fossil alternative with unique color patterns appreciated by artisans. Walrus ivory holds cultural significance among Arctic peoples with sustainable harvesting practices allowing continued use under specific rules.
For collectors, artists, and consumers interested in working with or purchasing genuine ivory products today, recognizing these distinctions aids informed decision-making both ethically and legally. Sustainable use combined with respect for wildlife protection must guide all interactions involving these precious natural materials going forward.