The basic definition of ivory is the teeth and tusks that are most completely consistent of the material called dentine. When it comes to being able to recognize the different types of ivory, there are different ivory characteristics to look for.

Netsuke The history of Netsuke starts over 300 years ago in Japan. Since the traditional Japanese clothes did not have any pockets for carrying personal items of pipes, tobacco, seals, medicines, and money, the Japanese invented the small woven carrying cases or pouches.

Some of the tusk pieces are perfect for carving out knife and gun handles, scrimshaws, chess pieces, pool cues. Traders dealing with procurement and selling of mammoth ivory adhere to strict international standards and guidelines relating to the trade.

In replacement of the banned elephant ivory, genuine Mammoth Ivory became the only ivory for art allowed. The cold and ice contributed to their preservations and finding them for many reasons including the huge long ivory Mammoth tusks.

Netsuke toggles were created originally for the practical uses for hanging pouches, small crafted boxes or small woven baskets for being able to carry along small personal items, and were worn around the waist.

By now most all know of the original ivories being used belong to elephant's teeth and tusks or the woolly mammoth's teeth and tusks, but what about some of the other natural forms of ivory?

Tracing the history and origin of Woolly mammoths is interesting. Mammoths spread in Europe, America and Asia due to the landmass in Bearing Sea which was used to connect different continents.

Before the carved Netsuke were created, the very first Netsuke were made of roots and twigs for the purpose of toggles. No matter the type of beautifully carved containers, it was the well crafted Netsuke toggle needed for security of the personal belongings being carried.

It does not matter the kind of ivory that you may be collecting, all ivory is easily affected from any form of environmental exposure. Ivory will crack and shrink in relatively low humidity, while the relatively high humidity will cause your ivory artworks to swell and warp.

Netsuke was the functional pieces of art worn with the original Japanese Kimono. One of the most commonly known Netsuke styles is the Katabori-Netsuke. The Sashi-Netsuke or also known as the "Stab" Netsuke, averages around 6 inches long in length and literally resembles a stick like artistic formation.