No, it is illegal to sell real ivory in many parts of the world. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act makes it illegal to sell any product made from any species of endangered animal, including African and Asian elephants which are the traditional sources of ivory.
In addition, the United States also prohibits the sale of African elephant ivory that was imported after 1989 or Asian elephant ivory imported after 1975. These restrictions are in place to protect these species from extinction.
Additionally, some countries, such as China, prohibit the sale of ivory tusks, products, and carvings. Ivory poaching gives criminals an illegally obtained lucrative income, so it is important to only purchase items made from faux ivory to reduce demand for the product.
Is real ivory worth anything?
Yes, real ivory is worth something. The value of ivory pieces depends on the age and condition of the item. Generally, the older the piece and the better its condition, the more valuable it will be. Ivory carvings are considered to be valuable art objects, while an ivory tusk will be worth more to collectors and antique dealers.
Of course, the overall size of an ivory tusk or carving will also affect its value, with larger pieces typically worth more.
It is illegal to trade in ivory in many countries, and if you are considering purchasing ivory items, you should research the laws in your area before doing so. Some ivory items can be legally purchased due to exemptions in the laws.
It is important to purchase these items from a reputable dealer and make sure the item is properly documented.
Real ivory has been long valued for its beauty, significance and rarity. However, with the international ban on the commercial ivory trade, it is much harder to acquire real ivory items. Those who do choose to acquire ivory items should do so responsibly and make sure to understand the laws surrounding the purchase of such items.
How much is ivory worth?
The price of ivory varies greatly depending on its form. If it is raw tusk ivory, its worth directly depends on the size and quality of the ivory. Generally, the larger and better quality the ivory, the higher the value.
An average price per pound for large raw tusk ivory can range from $500-$700. On the other hand, carved ivory can command significantly higher prices. A small elephant figurine carved from ivory, for example, may auction for close to $10,000.
Because of its rarity and the difficulty of ethically and legally obtaining the material, ivory is a precious commodity, and its worth can fluctuate significantly.
Where can I sell old ivory?
Unfortunately, selling any ivory items is largely illegal due to the ban on the international ivory trade. In the United States, all ivory products, including antiques, generally cannot be sold, imported, or exported across state or international borders.
There are very limited exceptions depending on the type of ivory, its age, and where it came from. If you have an item made from ivory, you should contact a wildlife authority to get an expert opinion on the legality around its sale.
In some states, it may be legal to sell antique ivory items from certain protected species, such as walrus, but you will need to research the local regulations to determine what is allowed. You may also need to provide a document such as an auction label or certificate of authenticity to prove the item is an antique.
Beyond the legal implications, it’s also important to understand that selling old ivory only perpetuates the demand and contributes to the poaching of protected species. If you have ivory items, consider donating them to your local museum, habitat conservation program, or other related organization.
How can you tell if ivory is real?
The best way to tell if ivory is real is by doing a simple temperature test. Take a needle or a pin and heat it up. Touch it to the ivory and observe what happens. If the ivory is real, it will slightly burn into the ivory and some of it may stay on the needle.
Ivory is a very dense material so it should be immune to small objects such as needles. If the ivory is fake, then when you touch the needle to it, the needle will just slide around. Additionally, you can look at the grain of the ivory.
Real ivory usually has visible vertical lines which mark the growth rings of the elephant. Fake ivory is usually smooth and doesn’t show as much grain. You can also test its authenticity with a microscope.
Real ivory has pores which a microscope can easily pick up, but fake ivory does not.
Can ivory be appraised?
Yes, ivory can be appraised for its value, just like other antiques and collectibles. Generally, a professional appraiser is the best way to determine an accurate value for the ivory. The manner in which the ivory has been preserved, its history and its color are all taken into consideration when appraising the ivory’s value.
Depending on their expertise, an appraiser will research other identical items that have sold to establish an accurate price. Professional ivory appraisers are trained to identify fake ivory. Additionally, they can also tell the difference between ivory that was harvested legally and ivory that was taken illegally.
When appraising ivory, an appraiser will look for markings, such as a manufacturer’s mark, maker’s mark, date, or any other symbols, to help determine its origin. Appraisers can also help identify what the ivory’s purpose was, whether it was used for carvings, furniture, jewelry, or anything else.
Ultimately, appraisers are the best source for accurately and objectively assessing the value of ivory.
Is owning ivory illegal?
Yes, owning ivory is illegal in many countries around the world. In the United States, it is illegal to buy, sell, or possess any form of ivory, including the ivory of African elephants, walruses, whales, and certain other marine mammals.
Similarly, in the European Union, all trade in ivory products is banned, with exceptions only for certain items made before 1947.
The sale of ivory is prohibited by many other countries and international organizations. For example, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) prohibits all commercial and recreational trade in ivory, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) calls for a complete ban on such trade.
CITES is an international agreement between governments that was put in place to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of wild animals and plants.
In addition to its illegality, owning ivory is often viewed as unethical since the poaching of elephants for their tusks continues to be a major problem worldwide. The poaching of elephants for ivory is the major source of the worldwide ivory trade, and has caused significant harm to elephant populations throughout the world, including in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia.
By choosing not to purchase or otherwise acquire ivory, we can help reduce the demand for this product, and work to eradicate its poaching and sale.
Is real ivory cold to the touch?
Yes, real ivory is cold to the touch. Ivory is composed of keratin, just like our hair and nails. It is a dense, dense material and doesn’t have many air pockets which can store heat. It also typically has a high mineral content, meaning it typically can’t retain heat very well either.
As a result, when you touch real ivory, it will typically feel cold. However, the temperature of the ivory can also be affected by its surroundings. If the ivory is stored in a warm, humid environment, it will likely be warmer to the touch.
Does real ivory turn yellow?
Yes, real ivory does turn yellow over time. This happens due to the oxidation process of oxygen interacting with the material. Oxygen can create a chemical reaction that causes a yellow discoloration.
Light, temperature, and humidity can all speed up this reaction, as does exposure to pollutants in the air. In addition, the ivory’s reactiveness to acids can also cause discoloration. The type of ivory and its overall condition also play a factor in how quickly it will yellow.
For example, ivory that has been around smoke, oils, and other liquids could yellow more quickly than it would normally. If ivory is being worn as jewelry or handled often, it is more likely to discolor faster due to oils from the skin.
Generally, those who own ivory items will care for them regularly to prevent yellowing. This includes cleaning and polishing it with a gentle cloth, as well as storing it in an area free of moisture to prevent oxidation.
Does ivory glow under black light?
No, ivory does not typically glow under black light. Black light is most commonly created using a special lamp or bulb that emits ultraviolet, or UV, light. Ivory generally does not contain any substances that will react to this light, so it typically does not emit a glow.
However, some items carved from ivory may be treated with a special substance that does reveal itself under UV light, though this usually does not happen naturally. In addition, any substance deposited on an ivory item, such as inks, paints, or dyes, may glow when put under UV light.
What is considered antique ivory?
Antique ivory is defined as any type of ivory object that is at least 100 years old, which includes any object made with any type of ivory that has been carved, scrimshawed, or otherwise worked on. Antiques ivory can come from different sources, including elephant tusks, hippopotamus tusks, warthog tusks, whales’ teeth, and narwhal tusks.
Antique ivory is highly sought after, as it can be beautiful, intricate, and valuable. It is also often used to make high-end furniture or jewelry because it has a distinctive color and texture. However, due to endangered animals, trading in or owning any type of ivory is illegal in many countries.
Some countries do allow legally sourced antique ivory to be sold, but the regulations can be strict. As a result, purchasing antique ivory items can be complicated and can require extra research to ensure it is properly sourced and legal.
Is it illegal to sell ivory in the US?
No, it is not illegal to sell ivory in the United States. This is because it has historically been used for many different things, including jewelry, artwork, and antiques. However, there are some very strict regulations on selling ivory in the US.
The most significant is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which prohibits the interstate sale of ivory from African elephants. This includes anything derived from an African elephant, such as ivory tusks, carvings, or any part of the animal’s body.
Despite this, these items can still be sold without violating the Endangered Species Act if it is proven that they were in existence prior to 1975. In addition, there are a few states which have stricter regulations than the federal law.
For example, California and Hawaii ban the sale of ivory outright. Thus, it is important to be aware of the laws in your specific state before selling ivory in the US.
What states is it illegal to own ivory?
In the United States, many states have put laws into effect that make it illegal to possess ivory in most cases. These states include California, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Nevada, and Massachusetts.
Some of these laws have been in place since the 1970s, while others are new and have come into effect in recent years. In addition, the federal government has enacted restrictions to protect endangered species and makes it illegal to buy and sell ivory across state and international borders.
Violations of these laws can result in hefty fines and even imprisonment. Due to this, it is important to be aware of the laws in your state and abide by them to ensure that you are not violating the law.
How do I sell ivory legally?
In most countries, it is now illegal to sell ivory. This is due to the fact that there is a high demand for ivory which is contributing to the extinction of certain species of elephants. However, in certain countries, it is possible to sell ivory legally.
For example, in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, the sale of antique ivory and registered items containing small amounts of ivory is often permissible. In other cases, the sale of pre-ban ivory (an ivory item that was imported into a country before the ban was placed on the importation of ivory) is legal.
Individuals looking to sell ivory should research the laws and regulations in their own country/region. The guidance of a professional may be necessary in order to determine the legality of a sale and the proper documentation that is required to do so.
What year did ivory become illegal to sell?
The global commercial trade in African elephant ivory has been illegal since 1989, when it was banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The ban was a response to the steep decline in African elephant populations due to the demand for ivory in Asia and the United States. As of 2020, it is against the law to sell, buy, or transport any ivory or ivory products between countries, except in certain cases where antique ivory is pre-ban and its sale is regulated by CITES permits.
There are also restrictions in place to prevent the trafficking of illegally obtained ivory within countries.
