Fair Trade, Organic, Handmade  NECKLACE brought from Ecuador by jjfarm. Shipped to you with USPS First Class Package.

Choose this gorgeous MULTI COLOR TAGUA NUT NECKLACE for your next piece of jewelry. This necklace's length can be adjusted from  " bosom buddy" to waist length. Wow! Plus, just look at that WHOLE TAGUA NUT!

All of our Tagua Nut jewelry is organic, harvested sustainably, fair trade, and fully handmade by our native artisan friends. And, in purchasing this bracelet, you are helping to save the equadorian rain forests as well.

We go to Ecuador at least once a year to purchase handmade Tagua Nut jewelry, handwoven blankets, yarn, and other items from our suppliers who have become our friends as well. Ecuador has 4 totally different climate zones which we love to visit. Our favorite is the temperate cloud forests from 7,000-10,000 ft altitude where the Tagua palms grow.

Tagua, commonly known as palm ivory or vegetable ivory, is a nut of a tropical palm tree that only grows near the equator. The inside of the nut has the same color, density, and luster as elephant ivory. The two are virtually indistinguishable outside if a laboratory. Tagua is often used to craft unique, hand made artisan jewelry. Another common use is to repair antique ivory inlay that has been damaged through the years.

Tagua jewelry is made from a truly miraculous natural product, is strong and nearly unbreakable, and will keep its beauty and luster for years to come.

Please note that this bracelet is a natural hand-made item that may have slight imperfections. Please look at the photos for approximate color, variations, and measurement. As always, if you are unsatisfied with your purchase, you may return it in like new cindition within 2 weeks for a full refund.

We travel to Ecuador to always visit many friends, including Olga and Cesar, at their Tagua workshop in Imbabura. Their workshop provides meaningful employment to many women in their community. The women gather the nuts, cut, dye, polish, and make all the exquisite Tagua pieces we sell.

We choose to purchase every piece at regular, retail, fair-trade price rather than bargaining for a lesser bulk price, because we know that our business helps to support this small native community.

Tagua palm trees grow best in humid temperate cloud forests from apx. 6,000 to 10,000 ft in altitude. The trees are difficult to cultivate into orchards. Most Tagua palms are left to grow in their natural state within the cloud forest and maintained by  members of the community. The land is left undisturbed and cared for, rather than being cleared for farmland. Your purchase of our Tagua jewelry helps keep these vunerable forests from being torn down.

Tagua trees are stout, darkly green palms, growing apx 20-40 ft tall.often the trunks will be leaning at an angle because the nuts are a favorite food of an animal called a tapir. Tapirs can weigh up to 800 lbs, and are regarded as "pests" as they can eat their way through a forest floor full of Tagua nuts in very little time. Often the women who gather the nuts will bring their dog along to chase away any wandering, chewing tapirs who might be startled to know that someone else wants their food.

Thanks for looking at our beautiful Tagua nut jewelry,. Remember that your purchase helps to support a poor native community, is fair-trade, and is an organic product that helps to maintain vital rain forests.