The commonly applied method to determine the age of ivory is radiocarbon dating in the form of bomb pulse dating, which however will fade out soon.

Why is it important to know how old ivory is?

Bomb tests generations ago could indirectly help fight illegal poaching of African elephants, new research shows. Knowing the age of elephant tusks is important, since many regulations of ivory trade are date-specific.

How do you tell if something is ivory or plastic?

The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until its red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving. If the needle goes in, its plastic; if not, its probably ivory, or at least bone.

Who buys ivory tusks?

That means that the consumers with the means to travel also have the most desire to keep buying elephant ivory. And their travel gives them access to ivory since some of the destinations most popular with Chinese travelers — Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong, Japan, and Vietnam — still have elephant ivory on the shelves.

Can ivory be sold?

Under Federal law, you can sell your African elephant ivory within your state (intrastate commerce) if you can demonstrate that your ivory was lawfully imported prior to the date that the African elephant was listed in CITES Appendix I (January 18, 1990). Some states have laws prohibiting or restricting sale of ivory.