Thats a lot of money in most African countries. But the big profit is made in Asia. Thai Customs recently evaluated smuggled ivory as being worth $1,800 per kilogram—$18,000 per elephant—wholesale. The “street value” retail price of 10 kilograms of carved ivory now runs about $60,000.

Is real ivory valuable?

Historically, genuine ivory has been difficult to obtain, highly sought after and, consequently, an expensive luxury item. In some ways ivory is very similar to precious metals and gemstones. Most mass produced new ivory look-alike products are honestly sold as imitations at low prices.

Can you legally sell 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). Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory.

What is the most valuable ivory?

Elephant ivory Elephant ivory is the most important source, but ivory from mammoth, walrus, hippopotamus, sperm whale, killer whale, narwhal and warthog are used as well. Elk also have two ivory teeth, which are believed to be the remnants of tusks from their ancestors.

What is the law on ivory?

The Ivory Act 2018 creates narrow and carefully defined exemptions to the ban for: Items with only a small amount of ivory. Such items must comprise less than 10% ivory by volume and have been made prior to 1947. Musical instruments.

How do you tell real ivory?

Though authentic ivory is made from elephant tusks, people imitate with bone or even plastic, which can be weighted to feel like ivory. You can usually tell if the piece is a fake made of bone by observing the tunnels in the bones – authentic ivory will have no striations.

What is an alternative to ivory?

Tagua seeds, also known as “vegetable ivory”, are an off-white colour and can be carved and turned into ornaments and jewellery much like elephant ivory. The seeds, or nuts, come from the tagua palm, which grows in the South American rainforest, and vary from grape to tomato size.

How much is a pound of ivory worth?

Poachers are now slaughtering up to 35,000 of the estimated 500,000 African elephants every year for their tusks. A single male elephants two tusks can weigh more than 250 pounds, with a pound of ivory fetching as much as $1,500 on the black market.

Does all ivory come from elephants?

Ivory is the hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of elephants, hippopotami, walruses, warthogs, sperm whales and narwhals, as well as now extinct mammoths and mastodons.

What is ivory still used for?

Commercial uses of ivory include the manufacture of piano and organ keys, billiard balls, handles, and minor objects of decorative value. In modern industry, ivory is used in the manufacture of electrical appliances, including specialized electrical equipment for airplanes and radar.