The graining may become more obvious with time and patina. Spacing of graining and straightness of graining is uneven, somewhat like strips of bacon, in miniature. A bangle bracelet will usually show crosshatching on at least two small sections, however, many pieces of elephant ivory will not show any crosshatching because of the angle of cut through the material, though you should be able to find some grain lines. Mammoth ivory is the only other ivory that shows the crosshatching, seen extremely clearly in this example . Elephant ivory varies in quality and in color, depending first upon the type of elephant, but also upon the region, and the age of the ivory.
Color ranges from a dead white to soft yellowish, to pale rosy white, and into the brown tones.
Luster is from greasy to dull. Quality African ivory will take a high polish. Mammoth Ivory, from prehistoric animals will range in color from soft creamy to a warm brown and even dark brown. The outer parts of a mammoth ivory is sometimes fossilized by ores, though the interior will remain the same, and when this occurs that outer area will then be blue or green, and may remind you of intensely colored opals, or look a bit like abalone in coloration. Hippopotamus ivory - One source indicates the grain is closer and denser than elephant ivory and a a pure white with a texture that has been described as between elephant ivory and pearl shell.