Where is tagua nut from?
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.
Are Tagua nuts edible?
Yes, the nuts are edible (before being processed for jewelry). They are usually eaten before becoming completely mature while they are still soft, or in a liquid state.
Is tagua nut sustainable?
Thankfully, the focus on environmental conservation in recent years has once again brought tagua into the spotlight as an alternative to plastics, (which are not biodegradable) and a viable option in sustainable jewelry production. Tagua nuts fall to the ground when mature—so harvesting is not damaging to the tree.
How is tagua made?
The tagua nut is grown on the Ecuadorian Ivory Palm. As the tree grows, the tagua nuts gets harder, thicker, and larger inside of their seed pods. Some tagua nuts can grow up to six centimeters! Once the seed pods are ripe, they’re picked and the seeds are dried in the sun.
Where is tagua located?
…the hard seeds of the tagua palm, found in much of northern South America but particularly in lowland Ecuador.
How do you cut Tagua nuts?
Hand cut and polished to a satin sheen, these slices are an ideal surface for scrimshaw or shallow relief carving. Intricate designs can also be cut into these slices with a scroll saw. Tagua is easily drilled or worked with all power carving tools. Slices are approximately an 1/8″ thick.
How big is a Tagua nut?
Medium Tagua Nuts are 1 3/8″ – 1 3/4″ long. Large Tagua Nuts are 1 3/4″ – 2 1/4″ long. Extra Large Tagua Nuts are longer than 2 1/4″.
How do you make scrimshaw Tagua nuts?
Scrimshaw and Tagua Nut
- Sand and polish to at least 3000 grit starting at about 150 grit, first in one direction, then perpendicularly when you move to the next finer grit (up and down for 150 grit, back and forth for 300 grit, up and down for 600 grit, etc.)
- Let it sit between steps for at least one day.
How is Tagua nut jewelry made?
Some tagua nuts can grow up to six centimeters! Once the seed pods are ripe, they’re picked and the seeds are dried in the sun. This process can take several days or weeks depending on the weather. Once the nuts have dried, they are polished and carved into figurines and jewelry of all shapes and sizes.