Does anyone have a source for AUTHENTIC elephant hair bracelets? I am interested in purchasing several. Thanks.

They had Elephant hair braclets for sale at the Dallas Safari Show UNTIL the Fish and Game people showed up and siezed them. It is illegal to import Elephant hair for commercial enterprise.

I know you can't sell the ivory, but everything else I thought was up for grabs. Folks are importing tons of elephant hides for boots, etc., so I don't know.

I think it is one of those "who you ask" problems. The last time I asked the USF&W folks at an SCI meeting about elephants, they knew less than I did.

I'll send you a dozen for free. Add $300 for shipping!

Try www.authenticafrica.com They sell real elephant hair bracelets, but they ain't cheap!!

As far as I know, you can't import any elephant products, except antique ivory (over 100 years old), sport hunted trophies (such as tusks, hide and hair but only for your own non-commercial use) and finished elephant leather goods from Zimbabwe or RSA.


How these people have elephant hair bracelets for sale on the web, I don't know.

Regards,

Terry

There's always Safari Jewelry in Santa Barbara (I think they have a website) that sell ones made out of silver and gold.

Bwana, sent you a Pm...


Mike

Back in the late 70's early 80's a lot of the 'elephant hair' bracelets sold in Zambian tourist shops were vinyl.

You would need to touch a match to the end to see if they were real.

(officially) Unless you have the relevant CITES permits and export & import permits & relevant vet clearances permits you are not allowed to move any Elephant product across an international border.(Assuming the countries are signatories to CITES) If the products are over (I think) 100 years old you just need proof of age and paperwork from CITES & probably for the US F&WS confirming this......which is just really a different type of permit.

Of course, it's possible for people to simply put something in their pocket and walk through customs with it.......

And these days most of the ones you see for sale in South Africa and at least 50% of the "genuine hair" ones you see for sale in Zim are made out girrafe hair!!!

Only way to be sure is ... Shoot the thing yourself!

Guys, thanks for alll of the feedback. Ganyana, I like your thoughts best, just need to get 3 kids through college and grad school then win the lottery!! Until then, I am going to have to procure some bracelets by some alternative method.

I have a few. May I ask do you want to sell them or or they for gifts. I tried a PM but screwed it up I suppose. I'm not very proficient on the new forum.

I have a couple with white hairs, for free. Just send $500 for shipping.

Zim,

I did receive your pm and responded. Please check you pms. Thanks!

I have a couple of extra bracelts you can have...give me an email after Jan. 23

My wife saw the pictures of the bracelet and really liked them. I think it would make a great gift for our 16th annivarsary later this month. She liked the 2 knot bracelet but authenticafrica.com is out. Anyone know any other good sources on where to purchase one?

Thanks

When you go to Africa to hunt you will find the bracelets for sale at the craft markets for $3-5.00. May be a good excuse to make the trip.

There are many offering these bracelets BUT a large number are made from burnt grass or other replicas, some are very good imitation, it really depends upon what you want.

For the genuine things you will pay more of cource.

This supplier in South Africa might be worth consideration !!!

OPTION 1 !!! $25 + postage etc / ex South Africa

Genuine African Elephant Hair Bracelets :

Contact us.

Should there be any reason that you would want to contact us at African Crafts Market, please feel free to e-mail us or write to us at :

Richard Stead
African Crafts Market
PO Box 2905
Pietermaritzburg
3200
KwaZulu Natal
South Africa.

Or e-mail us at: thesteads@3i.co.za

Our company is Based in Pietermaritzburg , just inland from Durban in KwaZulu Natal, which is where you will find the Zulu tribes people.



Size: Adjustable to fit all size wrists

A beautiful African Elephant hair bracelet that is made from genuine African Elephant hair. These bracelets have become very rare and you will only find a limited stock in any country.

According to a 1200-year-old legend, it is believed that the wearer of such a bracelet would be protected from illness, taken out of harms way and attain great fortune. The knots represent four powerful earth forces: water, the sun, fire and wind. The strands symbolize the yearly seasons. Moving the knots along the strands is thought to create a balance and blend between earth and nature, thus enabling the wearer to be in sync with nature's rhythms. These bracelets are adjustable to fit all size wrists.

Elephant hair bracelets have become sort after items of African Jewelry and have a stylish mystique about them. These elephant hair bracelets are worn by many traditional African people in Southern Africa as a sign of respect to the earthly Gods and also show the respect that they have for the African Elephant.


We have in stock now! Only a few available.

We require a permit to export Elephant hair, the price of the permit is included in the postage cost.To adjust the bracelets toyour wrist size you do so by noving the knots of the hair.

OPTION 2) Imitation

Reed "Elephant Hair" Bracelet in a Box $9.99 / plus postage ex: USA etc

Call 1-866-468-3438 toll free from 10 am to 6 pm EST

Fax 1-866-229-3976 toll free

or email: support@globalcrafts.org

Ethically sound, this bracelet is in the design of bracelets made from the tail of an African elephant after a successful hunt but it is made from plant reed. Its unique design allows the wearer to adjust it by sliding the knots towards or away from each other. Tucked inside a box woven of banana fiber, this bracelet is a great gift.

I have always thought it was a bit phony to wear an Elephant Hair Bracelet if you have never shot an Elephant.

Preferably a bracelet from one of your Elephants.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mickey1:
I have always thought it was a bit phony to wear an Elephant Hair Bracelet if you have never shot an Elephant.

---

It is, a bit, but no big deal. I usually just give mine away to friends and as gifts.

If I wear a phony elephant hair bracelet does that make it okay? Or does that make me even more of a phony?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mickey1:
I have always thought it was a bit phony to wear an Elephant Hair Bracelet if you have never shot an Elephant.

Preferably a bracelet from one of your Elephants.

---

Real men don't kill the elephant first. They sneak up behind it with wire cutters and help themselves. Sort of like catch and release trout fishing.

On my first trip to RSA I bought at an open air market with my Ph ele hair bracelets and brought them back for friends and neices and nephews...They were a big hit...
This past August I bagged a bull ele and personally cut off the tail and watched as the trackers cut off hairs and made my bracelets with my ele hairs...
As a curio there is nothing more Africa then an ele bracelet..

Mike

Mickey1,

I wear a 4 knot ele bracelet that is two 4 knot bracelets laced together.

I have never killed an elephant; I have no desire to kill an elephant; I have an elephant engraved on my Searcy Deluxe .500 NE; I tell these things to whom ever comments about my bracelet. I do not weave tails. (no pun intended)

I am not a phony, I can assure you. I wear it because it is my connection to Africa until I can again return in 2006 and it has great symbolism with regards to the country that I love to hunt in.

I feel that you are very presumptious to have made this generalization.

Cheers,

Sam Clemmons

Big Sam if I lived closer, I would ask if I could shoot that big boomer of yours..

Mike

Big Sam

I'm not sure what the tie in is between a rifle with an Elephant engraved on it and wearing a bracelet.

Thay were originally intended to identify Elephant Hunters as being above the ordinary and a special class. European hunters adopted it as a badge of profession or accomplishment.

My opinion is just that, my opinion.

Perhaps I have been to too many SCI Conventions.

Mickey, Mickey, Mickey, you naughty boy.

Micket1,

I know, the rifle statement wasn't clear. There is an ele on the rifle, but I don't hunt ele with it.

Your point is taken. No foul, no harm. I just wanted to address your generalized comment.

retreever,

If you find your self in the Charlotte or Greensboro area of North Carolina, give me a call and we'll shoot the .500. It's a great rifle.

Cheers to all.

Sam
eclemmons@hotmail.com

Will

I finally got around to reading your son's article in AH. Tell him I enjoyed it very much.

Just the proper amount of irreverance.