What is it?
Our Fossil Art pendants and necklaces are made from pieces of Woolly Mammoth tusk from Alaska. Known as Fossil Ivory, the pieces range in age from 15,000 to 30,000 years old.
It’s Woolly Mammoth? Really?
Yep. Some experts estimate that there may be one million wooly mammoths encased in the ice in Alaska, Canada and Siberia. So it isn’t rare. But since it is found in some of the harshest and most inhabitable climates on earth and few will brave the elements and hardships of recovering the tusks, you don’t find fossil ivory readily available on the market.
Pieces of tusk, like we use, are the most common form of tusk found. When full tusks are discovered, they are usually auctioned off through one of the major auction houses and sell for $75,000 and more.
How do you get it?
Not being a real fan of freezing weather, we buy it from a trader in Alaska rather than go get it ourselves. The guy we purchase it from is a crusty old coot who has been in the business for decades and who has an excellent reputation in providing authentic mammoth tusk.
These massive bones are unearthed many ways:
Modern day gold miners dredge up mineralized remains in the course of mining activities.
Most fossil ivory is found during road construction.
Bush pilots spot the huge bones jutting from ever eroding river banks while flying over the tundra.
Wilderness explorers find the skeletons in the melting ice.
Regardless of the happy surprise of discovery, all of our fossil ivory is mined in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
It’s Ivory? Is that legal?
Yes. Ivory from elephants (and assorted other large mammals) is illegal these days in an attempt to protect endangered species. Fossil ivory, on the other hand, is perfectly legal as it is taken from mammals that died some 10,000-30,000 years ago.
Coming Soon!
There just never seems to be enough time. So while we’ve added our Fossil Art line this year, and a whole new collection to our Karma Cuff line, we just haven’t had the time to finish up a new addition to our Spirit of the Stone collection: Maori Design carved rock and jade pendants. But here’s a sneak peak . . . check back in about a month and these gorgeous pendants will be available on-line.
