Tagua carvings

"Phytelephas is a genus containing six species of palmsfamily Arecaceae), occurring from southern PanamaAndes to Ecuador, BoliviaPeru. They are commonly known as ivory palms, ivory-nut palms or tagua palms; their scientific nameelephant". This and the first two of the common names refer to the very hard white endosperm of their seeds (tagua nuts), which resembles elephant ivory."

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"Given trade restrictions in elephant ivory as well as animal welfare concerns, ivory palm endosperm is often used as a substitute for elephant ivory today, and traded as vegetable ivory, palm ivory, corozo or tagua. When dried out, it can be carved just like elephant ivory; it is often used for beads, buttons, figurines and jewelry, and can be dyed."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagua_nut

p.s. Vlad - you might consider moving some of this to the "Materials" section. 

It certainly appears that Tagua is an acceptable substitute for elephant ivory - whether it is actually more aesthetically appealing, or easier to work with than mammoth ivory, I will leave to the carvers among us.