Comparison between the mammoth tusk and modern ivory,   the texture of mammoth  tusk is more compact and the degree of  hardness and density of mammoth tusk is greater. However these differences are only very slight. The relevant scientific research arguments from the experts of the Chinese Academy of Sciences indicate that the different between mammoth tusk and modern ivory can be distinguished by " Schreger lines -Angles". The fiber density of top graded mammoth tusks is even better than that of modern ivory. The lustre is soft and smooth as a white paper. Artworks carved by the masters can be shaped to the majestic trend and show the delicate and exquisite beauty. Therefore, mammoth tusks are indeed the best choice for replacing modern ivory to inherit the Ivory Carving !

 

For a long time, mammoth tusks in most areas including the United States and Canada can no longer be used for carving because of the severe fossilization. In some areas of China such as Harbin and Daqing, mammoth tusks fossils have been unearthed. But because they have been buried in dry soil through the history, they have been dried-up and petrified, so they are called “Terra tusks”, which can only be exhibited in museums. Only the special preservation conditions of the Siberian ice layers have kept most of its original texture quality, only the skin of the tusks has been petrified in various degrees. Nevertheless, in fact only 20% of the tusks can be used for carving.

 

In the international market, mammoth tusks are divided into ten different grades including  A, B, C, D etc. Only "Ice tusks" can be reached grade A as the superior carving raw materials. The Siberian region is cold all year round. Each year in Spring,  only when the river level rise, the locals may find mammoth tusks in some gaps on both sides of canyons.  Therefore, its rarity and development costs are much higher than modern ivory.

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We can start appreciating mammoth tusk artworks through the color, texture and craftsmanship of the artworks. Generally, well preserved mammoth tusks in ice layers have warm and bright lustre,  higher degree of hardness and density than modern ivory. After the layer by layer polishing, artworks have extremely high appreciation value.  Artworks of  Mammoth tusks,  also known as “organic gemstones” , are exquisite and are as valuable as precious jade artworks, but some people who do not know much about mammoth tusks or lack the knowledge of  the art works maintenance, resulting in fragmentation or damaging of the artworks which are really distressing.

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