Fossil Ivory and Fine Silver PendantMade with love on Grizzly Mountain!
A handmade cabochon of fossil walrus ivory created for me by my husband, 1000markets artist "Grizzly Mountain Arts", has been set into a fine silver pendant to create this one of a kind piece. I used Precious Metal Clay (PMC), which is .999 fine silver, to create the pendant. I have given the silver pendant a rich patina to give it the appearance of an ancient relic. The 1" diameter pendant hangs from a Hill Tribe silver jump ring and a leather cord. A gift box is included with your purchase. More photos of this unique piece can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop.
**What is fossil ivory?**
Fossil ivory is ancient ivory whose composition has changed from ivory to mineral. Care should be taken to distinguish fossil ivory from recent ivory which has yellowed or discolored. Fossil ivory (including walrus, mammoth and mastodon) and other archaeological and paleontological materials are regulated by an array of Federal and State laws. These items may not be collected on any Federal or State lands. Fossil ivory may be collected on private lands with the permission of the land owner, and is not regulated under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Fossil ivory does not have to be tagged or registered. Anyone may sell fossil ivory without first handcrafting it.
**Where do we get our fossil ivory?**
Ancient walrus and mammoth tusks are dug out of the permafrost or bone mounds by Alaskan and Siberian natives annually during the summer thaw and sold to subsidize their family or village income. We buy our ancient walrus ivory shards from ivory buyers that travel to the St. Lawrence Island area to buy from the ivory co-ops.
"Fresh" ivory and elephant ivory will never be used in any of the artwork created by Good Dirt Jewelry or Grizzly Mountain Arts.
