Ivory Carvings

There is worldwide ban on the buying or selling of ivory and it is illegal in most countries where elephants live to kill them for their tusks.

Thus, jewelry, figurines, and other products that are made from carved ivory have become hard to find and are now hot collector's items.

Ivory is a composition of calcium phosphate that is soft enough to be carved into some of the most beautiful objects of jewelry and other artifacts that exist in the world today.

Unlike emeralds and other gemstones, ivory has no cleavage. When carved, sanded and polished, it is smooth to the touch.

Carving ivory is an ancient form of art and tradition that dates back to the earliest known humans. Throughout history, it has been widely used for penants, amulets, brooches, and other objects of value.

Many cultures used ivory extensively but it was the Chinese who became, perhaps, the most prolific carvers of ivory, making everything from fine ivory jewelry, chess pieces, chop sticks, and ivory balls.

Chinese students have always been encouraged to learn the art of ivory carving and their work is highly prized by collectors all over the world.

Other cultures noted for ivory carvings are the Japanese, Indian, Egyptians and the French.

American Eskimos, who have historically carved ivory, used the teeth of Narwhals, walruses, horns and bones of certain other animals.

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