Learn • Preserve • Inquire
Let’s first understand what an elephant’s tusk actually is.
What Is an Elephant’s Tusk Made Of?
The tusk is a huge upper incisor tooth, composed mainly of the mineral calcium hydroxyapatite and protein, along with other trace elements.
As an elephant ages, it adds new layers of dentin, a hard, dense, bone-like material, which is then wrapped in enamel—the hardest mineral coating protecting teeth against wear.
This new layer exhibits a distinct crisscrossing arc pattern known as Schreger lines. Schreger lines are a natural biological “fingerprint” and are used by experts as a key diagnostic feature to distinguish genuine ivory from bone, plastics, and resin substitutes.
Additionally, the angle at which the arcs intersect determines the specific source of the ivory. Modern elephant ivory typically features obtuse angles (greater than 100° to 115°), while ancient mammoth and mastodon ivory usually feature acute angles (less than 90°). This distinction is critical in establishing proper species identification.
The large nerve end of the tusk (sometimes called the pulp cavity) is encased entirely within the upper jawbone and extends nearly to the eye. Its length is approximately 24 inches and, in some cases, exceeds 28 inches in the African subspecies. The largest-diameter upper portion of the tusk contains a huge tapered nerve canal that supplies blood for continued tusk growth and transmits tactile sensation.
Compared to bone, ivory is much harder, heavier, and substantially denser. The tusk is therefore stiffer and can exert—and withstand—significant force whenever the elephant deems it necessary.
How Should You Care for Your Tusk?
The first concern is direct exposure to sunlight. It prematurely dries the ivory and causes yellowing, splintering, and cracking.
Secondly, most tusks are delivered to their owner in a natural, uncleaned state. Prolonged exposure to blood on the tusk can lead to permanent dark staining. This should not be confused with dark burn residue or mineral stains, some of which are very desirable.
Never soak the ivory or expose it to prolonged saturation with water. Use water sparingly.
If you have your tusks permanently mounted, filled with Bondo, and supported with a ½-inch steel all-thread rod, use the services of a skilled taxidermist. The heat generated during the curing of the Bondo can split your tusks. It is usually applied in 3- to 4-inch layers, one at a time, using very little hardener to reduce heat and allow slower curing.
Be aware that this process usually results in the loss of 2 to 3 inches of ivory as the tusk is trimmed back to create a straight, perpendicular-to-the-axis line.
We, of course, advocate leaving the tusk in its natural state to preserve all future handling and presentation options through the use of THE ARC.
How Do I Ensure My Tusk Remains in Good Condition?
Now that you understand how the tusk grows and its biological construction, you can better understand how most ivory is poorly presented.
The colors contained and enhanced through decades of living—while consuming and coming into contact with a variety of plants, minerals, water, and burned landscapes—all contribute to the story documenting the life your elephant lived.
Every layer of dentin, followed by enamel, records the elements encountered during that year of life. Fires, iron-rich mineral soil, heavily stained water—it is all there, but sadly, it is rarely seen or recognized for the story it tells.
As your elephant lives, it wears down layers of dentin and enamel, leaving colors exposed, much like erosion reveals the colors of the earth. They span the spectrum of earth tones, from reddish rust to light green to black.
The natural colors within ivory are not applied—they are revealed. Decades of exposure to minerals, vegetation, smoke, water, and the landscapes through which the elephant traveled become permanently recorded within successive layers of dentin. Proper preservation reveals this natural history without altering the ivory itself.
If you wish to see the story of your elephant come alive through these colors, contact us regarding our Preservation Services. Our detailed, precise seven-step process is designed not only to clean the ivory, but to recover the true story recorded within your elephant’s tusks.
Preservation Consultation
Every tusk is unique. Size, age, condition, environmental exposure, and any needed repairs all influence the appropriate preservation approach.
If you would like to discuss an evaluation of your tusks, use the consultation form below. We’ll review your photographs and discuss preservation questions, costs, and expected timelines before any work begins.
THE ARC
Once properly preserved, an elephant tusk deserves a display system that supports its weight naturally, protects its structure, and presents it with the respect it deserves.