Netizens Are Furious At This Singaporean Online Store Claiming That It Sells 'Legal' Ivory
Ivory Lane also claimed that the ivory it uses is "completely legal in Singapore".
By Jia Vern Tham — 07 Aug 2018, 02:04 PM
Ivory Lane, a new Singapore-based online store, sells "vintage" jewellery made from ivory
The company is founded by Ivy Chng, a Singaporean who claims to have interacted with many Asian and African tribes after travelling across parts of the two continents for 12 years.
She came up with the controversial business idea after allegedly inheriting "rare and vintage ivory jewellery" from her great, great grandmother.
Ivy added that her true purpose is to continue inspiring people to "stay true to their roots".
Prices of Ivory Lane's products range between SGD160 (approximately RM478) to SGD800 (approximately RM2,388)
According to its website, every "signature" piece sold on Ivory Lane is meant to be preserved and passed over generations "as a symbol of originality and heritage".
The new store began attracting criticism from netizens after pictures of elephants were posted on its Instagram account
One netizen criticised Ivory Lane for posting pictures of elephants while it capitalises on selling ivory products.
Another netizen also called Ivory Lane "inhumane and cruel" for profiting from the suffering of elephants.
"All ivory is still cruelly obtained and here you (Ivory Lane) are trying to make something like this a fad," one netizen added.
The store then issued a statement on Facebook to reiterate the legality of the ivory used in its products
Ivory Lane claimed that their ivories are legal in Singapore, before adding that they were sourced from the "natural environments of central Africa" before 1990.
According to Smithsonian, the commercial trade of ivory has been banned across the world since 1990.
Ivy Chng added that the store does not import ivory into Singapore.
What do you think about the legality of selling ivory from before 1990? Let us know in the comments below.