Earthy and artful, this handcrafted necklace features 13 tagua discs — each naturaly shaped when cut from the tagua seed and edged with raw rind. Strung with cotton cord knots, it carries the organic texture and subtle sheen, offering grounded elegance with a story behind every piece.
- Design: 13 round tagua discs with natural rind edges, linked by cotton cord
- Material: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory) and cotton cord
- Size: Approx. 19-20" end to end
- Country of Origin: Handmade in Ecuador
- Care: Avoid use in water
Beauty isn't perfect, it's authentic. This piece is artistically created by hand where beauty and imperfections go together wonderfully. Please accept and appreciate minor imperfections and variations which are true characteristics of this craft.
design: Thirteen hand-cut tagua discs — no two quite alike — are dyed in a bright, varied palette and edged with the seed's raw dark rind, then hand-knotted along a cotton cord into a full, organic collar.
size: Approx. 19-20" end to end.
material: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory), cotton cord.
features: 13 individually hand-cut and dyed tagua discs, natural raw rind left visible at each edge, hand-knotted cotton cord between discs, lightweight statement silhouette.
care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and keep away from water to protect the dye and the disc's natural rind.
disclaimer: Because each disc is cut and dyed by hand from a natural seed, size, shape, grain, and color saturation vary slightly disc to disc and piece to piece.
The Story
Tagua is the seed of the Phytelephas palm, native to Ecuador's coastal and Amazonian rainforests. Its dense, ivory-white interior has been carved by Ecuadorian artisans for generations — first for buttons exported worldwide in the early 20th century, and today for jewelry and small objects — which earned it the name "vegetable ivory." Using tagua in place of elephant ivory has long given rainforest communities a reason to keep the palms standing and harvesting sustainable, rather than clearing the land, making the craft as much an economic and ecological choice as an aesthetic one.
Each disc in this necklace is sliced from a whole tagua seed, so the rounded, irregular shape of every piece follows the seed's own form rather than a mold — no two discs are ever identical. The dark, slightly cracked rind left at each edge is the seed's natural outer husk, kept intentionally rather than sanded away, so the finished piece still reads as something grown, not manufactured.
Stringing cut beads or discs on cord with a knot between each one is a simple, widely used technique in Latin American beadwork: the knots keep the discs from rattling against each other, let the necklace fall with some flexibility around the neck, and make it easy to see the hand-tied construction up close.
A tagua seed starts out hard and pale, roughly the size of a small egg. Artisans in Ecuador saw it into cross-section slices by hand, which is what exposes the disc shape and the natural grain-like rings inside — not unlike the growth rings in wood. The cut discs are sanded smooth, dyed by hand in small batches to reach saturated, consistent color, then buffed to bring up a soft sheen, while the raw outer rind at the edge is left alone. Once dry, each disc is strung and hand-knotted along cotton cord, one knot at a time, until the full 13-disc length comes together.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Ecuador
- Craft Tradition: Tagua nut carving (vegetable ivory)
- Ideal For: Statement-jewelry lovers who want a bold, sustainably sourced accent piece.
- Wear It With: Let it be the focal point — wear it over a plain white tee, a simple sundress, or any solid, uncluttered neckline.
- Purpose: Everyday statement wear, dressing up simple outfits, gifting.
Questions & Answers
What is tagua, and is it real ivory?
Tagua is a plant seed from the Phytelephas palm, native to Ecuador. It's nicknamed "vegetable ivory" because its dense white interior resembles ivory once cut and polished, but no animal ivory is used — it's a sustainable, plant-based material.
Why does each disc look a little different?
Every disc is hand-cut from a natural tagua seed and hand-dyed, so slight variations in shape, size, and color depth are normal and part of the piece's handmade character, not a flaw.
Can I wear this necklace in water or shower with it on?
It's best to avoid water. Moisture can affect the dye and the natural rind edging, so remove it before swimming, showering, or exercising.
How long is the necklace?
It measures approximately 19-20 inches end to end, sitting as a full statement collar rather than a close choker.
How should I store and clean it?
Store it flat or gently coiled away from direct sunlight, and wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth after wear rather than using water or cleaning solutions.
