Tagua Nut or Vegetable Ivory

Tagua is a seed from a palm tree scientifically called “Phytelephas Aequatorialis” – an elephant plant – a native species which grows wild in the Amazonian and coastal rainforest from Ecuador. This natural product is widely used and known as “vegetable ivory” due to its colour and hardness.

Tagua is mainly used for the creation of unique pieces of jewellery, buttons, and sculptures, in full respect of the environment, the population and the natural eco-system, being a versatile and renewable resource. The ethical choice of using Tagua, instead of ivory, helps the fight against poaching, saving the lives of elephants and rhinos.

The Tagua palm reaches 5 or 6 meters in height, and you must wait 14-15 years before it begins to flower and produce. Each Tagua palm produces 15 or 16 fruits every year (it´s called “Mococha”), each weighing from 8 to 15 kg. Each “Mococha” contains about 100 seeds or tagua nut, which measure from a minimum of 3×2 cm to a maximum of 5×4 cm.

After 3 months of drying in the sun, the Tagua hardens, becoming similar in its ivory consistency and ready for its various processes. The whole process is carried out without any palm being cut down; indeed, the harvesting of its fruits implies the renewal and conservation of the forest in which the plant lives.