A bold design makes an equally bold design statement. Made from Tagua nuts, this statement necklace features a single 24K gold plated tagua pod that contrasts beautifully with the teal-toned tagua chunks.
- Made of Tagua nut
- Features a 24K gold-plated pod
- Adjustable length, up to 32 inches long
- Black suede cord
- By women artisans in Colombia
- Fairtrade and handmade
design: A chunky statement necklace of irregular, hand-shaped tagua nut nuggets in deep and pale teal, punctuated by a single smooth 24K gold-plated pod, strung on a black suede cord.
size: Adjustable, up to 32 inches long.
material: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory), 24K gold-plated tagua pod accent, black suede cord.
features: Organic, one-of-a-kind tagua nugget shapes, single 24K gold-plated pod accent, two-tone teal dye finish, adjustable slide-knot closure, black suede cord
care: Wipe clean with a soft dry cloth, keep away from water, perfume, and lotion, and store flat or hanging away from other jewelry to protect the dye and gold plating.
disclaimer: Each tagua nut is shaped and dyed by hand, so size, color depth, and surface texture vary slightly piece to piece — part of what makes it genuinely handmade.
The Story
Tagua comes from the seed of the ivory palm, a tree native to the coastal rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. For generations, the hard white nut inside its pod has been dried, carved, and polished as a substitute for animal ivory — used historically for buttons, figurines, and game pieces, and prized today as a renewable, biodegradable material for jewelry.
In this necklace, the tagua is left in bold, irregular nugget form rather than carved into a uniform shape, so each bead keeps the nut's natural curves and dips. The teal dye is a modern color choice rather than a traditional one, but the dyeing and hand-polishing process itself follows techniques long used by tagua workshops along Colombia's Pacific coast.
The single gold-plated pod set among the teal nuggets is a deliberate contrast — a nod to the way artisans often pair a natural material with a metallic accent to give an everyday piece the weight of a statement one.
Making a piece like this starts with tagua pods harvested from the ivory palm and left to dry until the seed inside hardens to a dense, bone-like consistency. Artisans crack the shells, then sand and shape each nut by hand into rounded nuggets, keeping their natural, uneven contours rather than forcing them into matching forms. The nuggets are dyed in small batches — accounting for the shading you see from deep to pale teal — then hand-polished to bring out a smooth, warm sheen. One nut is set aside and finished with a 24K gold plating before all the pieces are drilled and strung by hand on a black suede cord with an adjustable knot. In Colombia, this work is done by women's artisan cooperatives, for whom tagua jewelry-making provides steady, fairly paid work using a material sourced from their own region.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Colombia
- Craft Tradition: Tagua nut carving (vegetable ivory)
- Ideal For: Someone who wants an eye-catching, conversation-starting necklace made from a sustainable, plant-based material
- Wear It With: Let it anchor a simple solid-color top or dress with a scoop or crew neckline so the tagua nuggets take center stage
- Purpose: Statement necklace, everyday bold accessory, gift for a jewelry lover
- Metal: 24K gold plating on a single accent pod
Questions & Answers
What is tagua, and is it a gemstone or a nut?
Tagua is the dried seed of the ivory palm, native to Colombia and Ecuador. It's often called 'vegetable ivory' because of its hard, smooth texture once cured and polished — it's a plant material, not a mineral or gemstone.
How long is the necklace, and is it adjustable?
The black suede cord has a sliding knot closure that adjusts up to 32 inches long, so you can wear it as a shorter collar or a longer drape.
Will the color or the gold plating wear off?
The tagua dye and gold plating are meant for everyday wear but will last longest if you keep the piece dry, avoid direct contact with perfume or lotion, and store it away from other jewelry that could scratch the surface.
Why do the beads look slightly different from each other?
Each nugget is shaped and dyed by hand from a natural nut, so small variations in size, shape, and color depth are normal and are part of the handmade character of the piece.
Who makes this necklace?
It's handmade by women artisans in Colombia through a fair-trade process, from shaping and dyeing the tagua nuts to stringing the finished necklace.
