Why Are Ivories So Valuable?

Posted by & filed under .

Many Singaporeans were bothered upon hearing the news of ivory seizure. The seizure happened on May 19, 2015 and according to Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and Singapore Customs, this is by far the biggest illegal shipment of ivory in our history. Actually, the illegal shipment was hauled from Kenya to Vietnam and it is worth an estimate of S$8 million.

article-urn-publicid-ap.org-d7abcda30ac24d19896b70bb76416a81-6Y609V9MM-HSK1-908_634x469

The ivories (there were about 1,783 pieces) together with other parts of exotic animals (like 4 pieces of rhino horns and 22 teeth of cheetahs and leopards) were stashed between bags of tea leaves inside two twenty-foot containers. The containers were transited through the city to Vietnam. The haul weighed about 3.7 tonnes.

We have to know that shipping of ivory and other parts of exotic animals has been forbidden under the 1989 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. We are a signatory of this convention and it is our duty to execute it and watch out for people who hold no regard for endangered species. We know that the trade of illegal ivories are present in the black market but we do not know why are ivories so valuable?

Ivories are famous for its hardiness, mellow color and smoothness (absence of splintering). Ivories are also durable. Here are some applications of ivories and the reasons why they are so valuable:

IVORY-SEIZED

  • Ornaments: In China, Thailand and Vietnam, ivories are made into ornaments and it is envied by everyone. Ornaments made of ivories there are being flaunted.
  • Carving: It was mentioned earlier that ivories are hard and but its smoothness when it comes to carving makes it an excellent material. It may be painted or bleached easily. Ivories are expensive and with this, they have become a symbol of luxury.
  • Music Production: Ivories are used as a part of musical instruments like piano and organ keys. Ivories are superior synthetic for keyboard covers.
  • Gaming: Apart from piano and organ keys, ivories are also found in gaming objects like billiard balls and other handles.
  • Other Applications: Aside from its aesthetic value and contribution to music industry, ivories can also be used in different things like buttons, chopsticks, hairpins, bow tips, spear tips, needles, combs and buckles.

In modern industry, ivories are used in the manufacture of electrical appliances. It does not end there because ivories are also used as specialized electrical equipment which is useful in radar and airplanes.

There are others claiming therapeutical benefits for ivories. Indeed there are many applications of ivories but we have to be alarmed because we are pushing elephants to extinction.

ivory_from_kenya_worth_sh570m_seized_in_singapore29130_L

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *