The great beauty of elephant ivory is due to its warm creamy color and rich grain patterns. The grain changes with the lighting angle, a phenomenon exhibited in opal and tiger's eye and known as chatoyancy. Elephant ivory crosscut or end grain reveals an outer ring of bark or cementum surrounding the inner ivory, which exhibits growth rings and a fascinating moire pattern known as “Schreger lines.” To these qualities add the fact that it is the choicest of carving materials and that it takes a natural shine as lustrous as rubbed lacquer. The natural beauty found in elephant ivory is quite simply enchanting. All of the elephant ivory we offer for sale was imported before the ban and is purchased from estates. No permits are required for sales, shipping or ownership of this ivory within the U.S.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Elephant ivory is excellent for scrimshaw, carving, knife handles, pistol grips, jewelry, musical instruments, cue sticks, inlay, pens, duck calls, crafts and repairs. Click here for instructions on working with ivory.
And here are some fascinating historical pictures of elephant tusks.
RE01 CUE FERRULE STOCK
(see mammoth ivory for export-legal cues).
Roughed "blocks" for turning on lathe.
| (A) | 9/16" sq. x 1" long | $13.00 |
| (B) | 9/16" sq. x 1-1/4" long | $16.00 |
| (C) | 5/8" sq. x 1" long | $17.00 |
| (D) | 5/8" sq. x 1-1/4" long | $20.00 |
RE02 ELEPHANT TUSK CROSS CUT SLICES (LIMITED STOCK) Just as a tree reveals its life story in the cross cut view of its trunk, an elephant's life history is recorded in its tusks. Just as stones emit energy, ivory too has energy. The story of each elephant is recorded on the growth rings and Schreger lines, each as unique as fingerprints. Feel the energy, see the story, get these talismans while you can. We have a selection of pieces already cut in various sizes with the thickness ranging from 1/8" to 1/4". Many of these pieces have the black age cracks that form near the tip of a tusk. They will not get worse; they were in the tusk as it grew and add character. The small cross cuts can be used as pendants, brooches, or bolos or for carrying as unique touchstones. Larger slices are good for scrimshaw belt buckles or display pieces. The hoop slices are cut from the hollow and make unique “jungle jewelry” center pieces. If you need larger, thinner, or thicker slices or pieces without age cracks, please inquire about our cutting current stock. Slices up to 6" diameter are sometimes available. These are sanded smooth, but we can polish one or both sides for scrimshaw or maximum handling and viewing pleasure. We can also shape them into discs, teardrops, etc. If you are not “set up” to polish ivory, you should consider letting us handle it. For a few dollars more, you will get a fine finish without the hassle. The pieces shown are priced at $2.00 per gram unpolished.
The pieces pictured below are examples. We can cut thinner slices to lower the cost; thicker slices will increase it.
| (A) | 3/16" thick x 1-1/8" wide x 1-1/2" tall | $16.00 |
| (B) | 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 1-5/8" tall | $18.00 |
| (C) | 1/8" thick x 1-3/8" wide x 1-1/2" tall | $20.00 |
| (D) | 3/16" thick x 1-5/8" wide x 2" tall | $26.00 |
| (E) | 3/16" thick x 1-3/4" wide x 2-1/8" tall | $38.00 |
| (F) | 3/16" thick x 2-3/4" wide x 3-1/2" tall | $62.00 |
| (G) | 1/4" thick x 2-1/2" wide x 2-1/2" tall | $48.00 |
| (H) | 3/16" thick x 1-3/4" wide x 2" tall | $16.00 |
| (I) | 1/8" thick x 1-3/4" wide x 2-1/2" tall | $28.00 |
| (J) | 3/16" thick x 2-1/8" x 2-5/8" tall | $56.00 |
| (K) | 7/32" thick x 2-1/4" wide x 3" tall | $68.00 |
| (L) | 1/8" thick x 3" wide x 3" tall | $56.00 |
Click on photo to enlarge:
Heavy cast sterling silver bails like shown on “B” are $2.50 installed they have two facing prongs that go into a tiny hole drilled front to back in the ivory piece when the bail is pinched. They are attractive, very secure and allow ample room for chains or cords. They can be installed on any slices.
(M) 3/16" thick x 2-1/4" wide x 2-5/8" tall. Some of the boldest, tawniest Schreger soaked growth rings I have ever seen, unbelievable - $50.00
(N) 1/8" thick x 2-1/8" wide x 2-1/2" tall. This is as good as it gets, with the perfect shape, a tiny nerve, full and perfect bark ring, very rich color, good growth rings, well defined Schreger lines all the way the to the center (very unusual), and waves of light radiating like spokes from the center. Quite possibly the tastiest speciman I have ever seen, though certainly not the largest - $100.00
(O) 3/16" thick x 3" wide x 3-3/8" tall. A truly beautiful piece, with almost hypnotic rings - $135.00
(P) 1/4" thick x 4-1/2" wide x 5" tall. This one's got it all including the sunburst halo. This piece is special it was taken before its time, sliced before the tusks had had enough years of curing (drying), and it tells the tale with its slightly pringleish warp, the very reason for the upper left "shadow" - $285.00
Click on photo to enlarge:
The above are some exceptional examples of extreme figure, almost too nice to do anything to except marvel and share the show with others.
ELEPHANT TUSK HOLLOWS
RE03-H ELEPHANT TUSK HOLLOWS - Cut from the big end of the tusk that is hollow. Hollows are used for making boxes, pen holders, letter openers and jewelry. The thinnest part can be cut into jewelry or scrimshawed and put on a base. One end of a hollow will have a thicker wall than the other, some of the most beautiful ivory grain comes from the hollow ends. The hollows pictured are a range of what may be available, please call for current selection.
CHOCOLATE IVORY HOLLOW PLATES
REC-HP CHOCOLATE IVORY HOLLOW PLATES - This is some very pretty material, it looks like chocolate colored mammoth ivory but is elephant ivory that was specially processed in the mid 1900’s years (the technique used is not known) to give it this great look. It is about 1/4" thick where it was cut and is thinner at the other end. Great for reverse (white) scrimshaw, carving pendants, fetishes, or jewelry. It can be cabbed and set in silver or gold, or the natural outer surface can just be buffed for a really great jungle jewelry look or sanded which will reveal incredible grain . We only have about 50 pounds then it’s gone. These are nice sized pieces so there will be very little waste. 1/2 pound - $20.00 or $35.00 per pound.
SMALL ELEPHANT IVORY SCRAP
RE05-SES SMALL ELEPHANT IVORY SCRAP - Old stock with very small pieces of trims from mostly 1/8” thick slabs, would be great for making real ivory heishi or doing tiny inlay. Some pieces are suitable for making ivory tooth picks. The pieces are small but the price is too - $6.00 per lb., 5 Lbs - $25.00, 10 pounds - $30.00 until we sell out.
LARGE ELEPHANT IVORY SCRAP
RE05-LES LARGE ELEPHANT IVORY SCRAP - This is a mix of 1/8” to 1/4" with odd thickness crosscuts and thin hollow trims and other thicker cuts. There may also be some mammoth and walrus scrap mixed in but there certainly will be if you request it. This is really good useable material for making jewelry and small carved charms, was $38.00 on sale for $29.00 per pound, 5 pounds - $125.00 (Currently out of stock).
ELEPHANT TUSK SECTIONS
RE06 ELEPHANT TUSK SECTIONS - The solid or nearly solid part of a tusk for slabbing or carving. If you have a band saw this is more economical than buying slabs. We usually have a range of diameters and we can cut to length whether you need an inch or a several feet, please call for a quote.
ELEPHANT TUSK TIPS
ELEPHANT TUSK TIPS - The magical “business end” some are elegant and beautiful, some chipped and others are just odd, each is unique. Small tips can be scrimshawed whole, used for knife handles, duck calls, carved chops (stamp). Tips can also be cross cut for buckles and other jewelry, slabbed or displayed as is. The tips shown are a range of what may be available, please call for current selection.
ELEPHANT IVORY SLABS
RE07 SLABS - ELEPHANT IVORY for knife handles, scrimshaw or jewelry, cut with the grain. Our slabs are smooth and flat, and true to size; just let us know your finished size so you don’t pay for more than you really need. Prices may vary a bit as slabs may be thicker or slightly oversize—we pick them out as close to ordered size as possible. Because some slabs taper in width, you may save money if you give us your width requirements for both ends (or smallest end anyway). We can cut slabs to the thickness you require but generally only in 3" length or 4-1/2" length. At times we do not have slabs over 2-1/2" wide, so to avoid delays, please order the narrowest slabs you require, i.e., if you need a pair of 1-1/4" wide slabs, please don't order a 2-1/2" wide slab, order a pair of 1-1/4" wide slabs.
Elephant Ivory Slabs - Sizes & Prices approx.
| (A) | 1/8" thick x 1" wide x 3" long | $15.00 ea |
| (B) | 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 3" long | $22.50 ea |
| (C) | 1/8" thick x 2" wide x 3" long | $30.00 ea |
| (D) | 1/8" thick x 1" wide x 4-1/2" long | $22.50 ea |
| (E) | 1/8" thick x 1-1/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $28.00 ea |
| (F) | 1/8" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $35.00 ea |
| (G) | 1/8" thick x 2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $45.00 ea |
| (H) | 1/8" thick x 2-1/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $50.00 ea |
| (I) | 1/8" thick x 2-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $57.50 ea |
| (J) | 1/8" thick x 2-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $62.50 ea |
| (K) | 1/4" thick x 1" wide x 3" long | $30.00 ea |
| (L) | 1/4" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 3" long | $45.00 ea |
| (M) | 1/4" thick x 2" wide x 3" long | $60.00 ea |
| (N) | 1/4" thick x 1" wide x 4-1/2" long | $45.00 ea |
| (O) | 1/4" thick x 1-1/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $55.00 ea |
| (P) | 1/4" thick x 1-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $67.50 ea |
| (Q) | 1/4" thick x 1-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $75.00 ea |
| (R) | 1/4" thick x 2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $90.00 ea |
| (S) | 1/4" thick x 2-1/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $100.00 ea |
| (T) | 1/4" thick x 2-1/2" wide x 4-1/2" long | $112.50 ea |
| (U) | 1/4" thick x 2-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" long | $125.00 ea |
| (X) | COLT & RUGER REVOLVER IVORY BLANKS | Please inquire. |
ELEPHANT IVORY BLOCKS
RE08 ELEPHANT IVORY BLOCKS For knife handles, cue butts, joints, duck calls, pen blanks, luthiers, etc. This ivory is thoroughly cured and crack free, of course. Maximum block length is generally 4-1/2" to 5" long; shorter pieces are no problem. Consider using walrus, hippo or mammoth ivory for a different look and feel and price, please inquire.
| (A) | 1/2" x 1/2" | $10.00 per lineal inch |
| (B) | 5/8" x 5/8" | $16.00 per lineal inch |
| (C) | 3/4" x 3/4" | $30.00 per lineal inch |
| (D) | 1" x 1" | $40.00 per lineal inch |
ELEPHANT TUSKS
RE09 TUSKS-ELEPHANT Small tusks are becoming very scarce, but we still get large singles & pairs for cutting or display. please inquire. For small tusks good for scrimshawing whole we recommend our pre-1972 white walrus tusks.
If you are interested in elephant tusks please call and let us know your needs, we will try to fill them.
RE09 (A) ELEPHANT TUSK - This exquisite bull elephant tusk is 5" across at the base and 48" long and is polished to a glassy smooth finish. It comes with a wonderful custom made leather lined saddle base made of mahogany for mantle, desk or self display - INQUIRE
RE09 (B) PAIR OF ELEPHANT TUSKS 18" tall around the curve polished and mounted on rosewood bases for mantle, or desk top display. Tusks this size are very rare, this pair has very beautiful grain and no cracks - INQUIRE!
Jim Lansberry - Resident Artist & Shop Manager
Please Note: Orders for merchandise totaling less
than $50.00 are charged a $5.00 processing fee.
BOONE TRADING COMPANY 1-800-423-1945
Page last updated: January 29, 2012