"Mammoth ivory" refers to the natural ivory left behind by the extinct mammoth. Mammoths were active during the Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago, gradually becoming extinct after a major climate change around 2000 BC. Their ivory is naturally preserved in the ice or permafrost of Siberia and Yakuda in Russia, forming unique textures, colors, and patterns. Mammoth ivory is a natural fossil material with bright and rich natural colors, is easy to carve, and has a warm, lustrous texture, making it historically highly sought after by the wealthy, celebrities, literati, carving craftsmen, and art enthusiasts. Furthermore, ancient ivory is a material from ancient times, thus possessing high cultural value and being a non-renewable and precious resource. Of the mammoth ivory discovered so far, only about 15% is suitable for carving, making it extremely rare and increasingly valuable over time.
In everyday language, people generally refer to modern ivory as "ivory." Modern ivory has a similar texture, appearance, and warmth to mammoth ivory, but in fact, the two have distinct patterns and significant differences in terms of law, ethics, and provenance. Mammoth ivory and modern ivory differ greatly in age and texture. When ivory is cut horizontally, the grain is clearly visible. The grain of mammoth ivory (also known as the Schreger pattern) intersects at an angle of less than 90 degrees, while the grain of modern ivory intersects at an angle greater than 90 degrees. Ivory grain is unique, like a human fingerprint, and therefore cannot be forged. A comparison table of mammoth and modern ivory is provided.
Yes. Since mammoth elephants were an extinct species, their ivory is not involved in any conservation or environmental issues and is legal in many regions. Furthermore, mammoth ivory is not listed in Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), so unlike modern ivory, it is unregulated and can be freely imported, exported, and traded internationally. However, different countries have different import and export policies regarding ancient ivory; some countries require proof of origin or related documents to facilitate customs clearance. At IvyC, we use and rigorously select all antique ivory that is traceable and complies with regulations, and provide certificates and relevant documentation to the markets that need them. Customers can buy with confidence.
Mammoth ivory is generally found in places such as ice layers, permafrost, swamps, or exposed to the air. However, only about 15% of ancient ivory from ice layers and permafrost layers is well preserved for use in jewelry carving. Preserved naturally by ice and permafrost, mammoth ivory develops unique color layers. Ivory unearthed from ice layers has a smooth ivory white color, while ivory unearthed from permafrost layers develops a rich variety of natural and vibrant colors, such as blue, green, black, red, and yellow, due to the infiltration of minerals from the permafrost. Because each piece of mammoth ivory is excavated from a different location and in different conditions, each piece is unique and cannot be replicated. Even when the material is taken from the same mammoth ivory, the patterns and colors in different parts will vary, making mammoth ivory jewelry extremely unique and each piece a treasure.
Mammoth ivory was once primarily used for carving ornaments and home decorations. However, with the changing times, the demand for traditional styles has gradually diminished, and ivory carving art and culture are facing a bottleneck. Ivy Cheng, the founder of IvyC, combines traditional ivory carving techniques with contemporary jewelry design aesthetics, using modern jewelry design methods to present the unique charm of mammoth ivory. This brings a brand-new image and product series to ancient ivory, offering a refreshing perspective to consumers. IvyC also boldly experiments with combining ancient ivory with other materials, such as diamonds, jade, gold, and gemstones, allowing the material of ancient ivory, which represents cultural heritage, artistic tradition, and exquisite craftsmanship, to collide with the artistic meaning of other materials, creating novel and charming exquisite jewelry.
Based on the unique texture and age of mammoth ivory, professionals can examine the ivory grain to distinguish authenticity, and further, they can use carbon-14 dating to determine the age of ancient ivory. Mammoth ivory obtained through legal mining has a Certificate of Origin issued by the country of origin, which indicates the origin of the material and proves that the mammoth ivory can be legally bought and sold. All IvyC's mammoth ivory products come with their own exclusive "Product Certificate," indicating the product's origin and legality, and are recognized worldwide. Our store's "Certificate of Origin" also ensures that the raw materials for the products you purchase are from legitimate sources and are recognized by governments worldwide, giving you peace of mind when buying. IvyC's ancient ivory has all undergone:
- Material identification
- Source confirmed
- Regulatory compliance review
- Process quality inspection