1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Jewelry / Accessories

Ivory Jewelry and Bone Jewelry

The term ivory has traditionally been used to refer to the hard, white or creamy colored material of elephant or mammoth tusks, but it can also be used to describe the tusks of a walrus or other similar animals. Most ivory trade is illegal, so innovative craftspeople are recycling older ivory and have found botanical substitutes for it.
Identifying Different Types of Ivory
Find out exactly what ivory is and read about the many different types and their sources.
Scrimshaw FAQs
What is scrimshaw and where did it originate? What tools are necessary to make scrimshaw art? Isn't ivory illegal? Find the answers to these questions and more, including an explanation of the authors scrimshaw designs etched on a botanical medium.
Vegetable Ivory & Other Palm Nuts/Seeds - Arts & Crafts
Research that describes several types of palm seeds used as ivory substitutes. It's a little technical, but very informative. By Eugene T. Doren for the International Palm Society. This photo illustrates some of the seeds described in the article.
Vegetable Ivory - Saving Elephants and the Rain Forest
Growing plants produce beautiful ivory substitutes. They will be an ongoing source for artisans if care is taken in harvesting. Wayne's Word shares with us an interesting article and photos of numerous types.
What is Scrimshaw?
Learn more about the North American craft of etching on ivory and bone.

Explore Jewelry / Accessories

About.com Special Features

The Best Moisturizers

Top picks in every price range, for every skin type. More >

Fall Fashion Accessories

These hot fall accessories will update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. More >

  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Jewelry / Accessories
  4. Pearls & Other Organics
  5. Ivory and Bone Jewelry

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.