Mineralized ivory is a more accurate term than the commonly used "fossilized" ivory, as complete fossilization would require longer burial and the ivory would be extremely difficult to carve or scrimshaw. This ivory is up to about 5,000 years old if walrus and over 10,000 years old if mammoth or mastodon. The colors are due to minerals in the soil seeping into the ivory and range from golden through chocolate browns and black. Orange, red , blue and green are also (though are less frequently) found. 

This ancient ivory is unique, very beautiful and becoming increasingly scarce (especially in fine Eskimo artifact form) as the supply is non-renewable. We receive our shipments July-October. We recommend buying as soon as possible after that to insure a good choice. Digging will not resume until the following summer, so we will not be able to offer a new selection after that until late next summer. The quality and selection continues to go down and the price goes up as the supply of this very limited and non-renewable resource dwindles. We would not be surprised if the digging is virtually over within the next 10 years.

Let us know if you are buying pieces for scrimshawing, carving, displaying or knife handles; it helps us make better choices for you.

Click here for instructions on Working with Ivory. Call for prices on pieces, range is $10 to several hundred dollars. We do have some artifacts such as sled runners, net weights and chopping tools. Most pieces are not recognizable artifacts but are fine for scrimshaw or carving. We can polish pieces for scrimshanders for about $2-$10 depending on the size.