The ivory laws are to prevent poaching, which in fact save elephant lives and is not to regulate extinct animals. Fossilized ivory is no longer ivory.
I see many auctions describing ivory as bone or other material or no mention of it. Buying online you cannot know what that white material it is made from. It is the auctioneer that determines this.
It is still possible to purchase antique ivory and antiques with ivory content.
In the UK I believe ivory can be up to 10% of the total piece.
I don't know if this 10% is volume or weight or how they could measure this.
Ivory is still valuable and I believe one should not shy away from it or decide it is worthless since someone else with the knowledge of the laws will easily profit from the ignorance of others. Due diligence is your best weapon.
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