Mammoth Ivory...?

[Randy Simmons]

Okay... I have been looking into turning ivory for awhile. It is difficult to justify it to myself morally, but I have discovered a source for "mammoth ivory".

...Seriously?

It just seems like something that is so rare that it wouldn't be chopped up for pen blanks. Right up there with unicorn horn and dinosaur fossil.

Does anyone know if this stuff is legit? Not just that you have worked with it, but that there is some way to confirm that it really is mammoth ivory?

[monark88]

I agree with what you are saying. I have some difficulty with this also, but, maybe a Mammoth pen might be an acceptable way of preserving the ivory, while having some utilitarian purpose at the same time, for many to enjoy for a long time, hopefully.

Do you think this might be a better use for the ivory, as opposed to just having it put away in a box in some collection?

I dunno, just a thought, not an answer.

Russ

[Randy Simmons]

Originally Posted by monark88

I agree with what you are saying. I have some difficulty with this also, but, maybe a Mammoth pen might be an acceptable way of preserving the ivory, while having some utilitarian purpose at the same time, for many to enjoy for a long time, hopefully.

Do you think this might be a better use for the ivory, as opposed to just having it put away in a box in some collection?

I dunno, just a thought, not an answer.

Russ

The reasons you stated were exactly mine for choosing mammoth ivory over elephant ivory, along with the fact that I would be able to charge more.

I am just having trouble with the legitimacy.

[truckfixr]

It's not as rare as you may think. It's estimated that there may well be 150,000,000 mammoths buried in the Siberian tundra.

[Randy Simmons]

Originally Posted by truckfixr

It's not as rare as you may think. It's estimated that there may well be 150,000,000 mammoths buried in the Siberian tundra.

That's quite a lot of mammoths.

But, how do I know that the stuff I will be purchasing is actually mammoth ivory?

[Curly]

Do a search of Schreger lines or identifying mammoth ivory and you will have the explanations you are looking for.

MAKE | How-To: Tell Mammoth Ivory from Elephant Ivory

[Russianwolf]

If it smells like you are at the dentists office while drilling/turning its Ivory.

There is no imitating that smell.

[thewishman]

You can be reasonably sure that no mammoth will be harmed in harvesting their ivory.

[PTsideshow]

It runs from hard to soft and in all grades of hardness in between. Depending if it is just the mammoth Ivory or has been fossilized by mineral replacements. It is very common for knifes scales hand gun grips and schrimshawing.

You can get from small chunks or pebble pieces to complete tusks if you have the money. It is one of the largest export items from Mother Russia.
Boone Trading Company - Ivory and Scrimshaw

Or the vegetable ivory Vegetable Ivory