Fair trade, Sustainable Tagua Nut Jewelry & Carvings: What You Need To Know

Tagua Nut; the sumptuous, vegan alternative to ivory that has taken the entire eco jewelry and decor sphere by storm.

From skillfully, fair trade crafted Tagua Nut Jewelry to display-worthy Tagua nut carving products, the tropical tree nut has successfully managed to replace one of the most unethical animal-derived materials of them all: the elephant tusk.

But what exactly are ethically-sourced Tagua nuts?

How did this vegan modern jewelry material manage to steal the hearts of every sustainable fashion connoisseur?

How a seemingly simple seed can be turned into beautiful mini sculptures?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tagua nut; the ethical alternative that South American artisans are using on-repeat.

What is Tagua Nut?

Tagua (or vegetable ivory) can be found at the top of palm trees (P. aequatorialis) in renewable rainforests of Ecuador. While it usually takes up to 15 years for a palm tree to reach maturity, as soon as it does, it can start producing tagua nuts for up 100 years. What’s even more fascinating? During its lifetime, one palm tree can produce up to 20 pounds of vegetable ivory.

Sustainable Tagua nut sourcing

Tagua nuts are also non-toxic and eco-friendly as they are collected straight from rainforest ground. This way, the harvesting process conserves the environment while also respecting this fantastic, renewable resource

 Once they are harvested, they are air-dried for 2 months. When the entire process is complete, and the rough brown skin is removed from the nut, artisans are ready to create striking Tagua nut jewelry or start crafting the next Tagua nut carving. Oftentimes, they are also dyed with vegetable dyes and polished to perfection after the design process is complete.

Fair trade, sustainable Tagua nut jewelry

At Welljourn, we have a carefully-curated collection of fair trade and artisan-made Tagua Nut Jewelry that are natural, and one-of-a-kind thanks to the shape and coloring of each nut.

Tagua Nut Sun Earrings – Welljourn

Tagua Nut Moon Earrings – Welljourn

The Tagua Nut Moon Earrings and Tagua Nut Sun Earrings are lovingly handmade in Ecuador by talented artisans who work in rural workshops around the country. If you are on a quest to find wear-me-everywhere pairs of earrings that mimic the look of real animal ivory while actually being completely vegan, these two are for you.

Tagua Nut Pink Heart Pendant – Welljourn

Tagua Nut Purple Heart Pendant – Welljourn

Our collection of hand-carved Tagua Pink Heart Pendants from Ecuador aims to minimize your sartorial impact on the environment without having to forgo style. These gorgeous vegetable ivory necklaces are colored to perfection by boiling and other natural techniques that enhance the nut's natural beauty.

Currently, our assortment includes pink, natural, red, green, and purple.

Avocado Green Tagua Bracelet from Ecuador – Welljourn

Green & Blue Tagua Stick Bracelet from Colombia – Welljourn

Skilled, fair trade artisans from Ecuador sliced the sustainably harvested Tagua nuts into sticks and disks to create 7 different mood-enhancing bracelets that can elevate even the simplest of outfits in the most eco-friendly way possible. 

Tagua Nut Carving Selection

Giraffe Tagua Figurine – Welljourn

Brown Sea Turtle Tagua Figurine – Welljourn

Our artisanal Tagua nut carvings will bring the beauty of nature to your safe space with ethically and sustainably-harvested vegetable ivory, colored by using natural techniques, such as boiling, fermentation, burning, and inlay. By choosing one of the many Tagua nut carvings, you will actively support Naya Nayon, an Ecuador-based NGO, that aims to counter poverty and deforestation by offering work to 23 local artisans who thrive on creating figurines, Tagua nut jewelry, and ornaments from this superhero seed.

You can opt for otherworldly-cute Nesting Doves, and Cockatoo mini sculptures, or choose one of the remaining 18 Tagua Nut Carvings. The giraffe, owl, and sea turtle tagua figurines are also perfectly giftable. 

 Tagua nut is certainly one of the most fascinating vegan and eco-friendly materials. Non-toxic, all-natural, and ethical, Tagua nut carvings and Tagua nut jewelry are a wonderful addition to your all-year-round wardrobe and home decor. Most importantly, these beautifully-crafted products help the local communities thrive!

Head over to Welljourn to discover even more sustainable, fair trade, and artisan-made items.