ivoor

Ivoor, or ivory in English, is a hard, creamy-white material sourced primarily from the tusks of elephants, but also from other animals such as walruses, narwhals, and certain hippos. The material is composed mainly of dentin and has a fine, smooth texture that accepts a high polish.

Historically, ivory has been valued for its beauty, workability, and acoustical properties. It has been carved into sculpture, jewelry, and decorative objects, and in Western music it has been used for piano keys and bows. Its distinct appearance and density made it a preferred material in various crafts and industries.

Because elephants and some other species are threatened by poaching for ivory, international and national laws regulate or prohibit trade in ivory. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) classifies most elephant populations as threatened and restricts commercial trade. Many countries maintain strict bans or require licenses; some allowances exist for pre-convention or antique ivory in limited conditions.

To address conservation challenges, there has been increasing use of ivory substitutes, such as bone, wood, marine ivory substitutes, and synthetic polymers designed to resemble ivory. Recycled or antique ivory may be legally sold in some jurisdictions with strict provenance requirements.

Conservation concerns persist; elephant populations are unevenly distributed, with poaching and habitat loss continuing to threaten numbers in several regions. Public and market pressure, along with law enforcement and demand-reduction campaigns, aim to reduce illegal ivory trade and protect wildlife.