Tagua Nut – Jewel of the Rainforest

Tagua nut comes from the seedpod of a type of palm tree that grows wild in tropical rainforests. When the nuts are dried and polished they have the same characteristics as ivory, which is why the tagua nut is also known as “vegetable ivory”.

The commercial use of tagua dates back to the 1920s when it was used on a large scale to produce buttons. With the introduction of plastic, however, the demand for tagua dwindled. Only in the last few decades has it become popular again, offering a valuable economic incentive for keeping the rainforests in their natural state rather than clearing them for logging.

With its ivory-like colour and texture, tagua has become highly valued by artisans and consumers. In Ecuador, tagua is skillfully carved by artisans into beautiful jewellery. The dried and polished tagua nuts are sliced, carved and dyed to make unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

View our range of fair trade tagua jewellery. Handmade by skilled artisans in Pichincha, Ecuador and sourced through Camari, a WFTO Fair Trade organisation.