Jewelry with tagua carvings

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Tagua Art

When expertly carved, a tagua
carving is one of the most extraordinary jewelry
centerpieces that exists, as evidenced by the work of
art at the center of these necklaces. Tagua nuts are
the seeds of a palm tree that grows in the tropical
rain forests of many South American countries. The
tagua nuts grow to the size of a hen’s egg in a pod.
When it first falls from the tree, the tagua nut has a
milky center that is consumed by forest animals.
Eventually, it hardens into a material that is very
similar in color, appearance, and feel to animal ivory.

Because of this, the tagua nut is sometimes called
“vegetable ivory” and has long been used as a
substitute for ivory, being carved into objects ranging
from figurines and chess sets to buttons and beads for
jewelry. So that their work is not mistaken for ivory,
the artists usually leave a bit of tagua shell on their
finished carvings. Many sign their work, and some
combine two or more tagua nuts to form larger
carvings, which are highly coveted.

The demand for tagua carvings is rising. Besides being
a more humane product than animal ivory, the tagua-
producing trees (and the purchase by consumers of
the resultant products) provides an environmentally
friendly way to make a living in the rain forest, as
opposed to other forms of commerce that has caused
the devastating deforestation of the rain forests in
Central and South America.

Some of the most prestigious works of tagua art,
including the centerpiece of these necklaces, are
carved by the Wounaan and the Embera tribes in the
Darien Rain Forest. Each tagua nut is carefully carved
and painted by hand. Each carving is truly a unique
masterpiece. Collectors abound, including myself.

I learned the bead weaving technique that I use to
make these necklaces from the experts. Sheilah
Cleary (http://www.shebeads.com), international
beading teacher and master beadwork designer,
teaches this technique and also is a distributor of
these beautiful tagua carvings. Jill Cremer, owner of
the Bead Station in Lake Forest, California (http:
//www.beadstn.com) and a master beadwork designer
in her own right, got me hooked on all things tagua
and “held my hand” all along the way when I
attempted my first piece like this.

In addition to the tagua focal piece, some of these
necklaces contain vintage beads that were made in
cottage industries in eastern Europe before World
War II. Following the war, the new Communist
governments put an end to these enterprises, but the
treasured bead inventories were squirreled away in
people’s attics and basements. After the fall of
Communism, these beads became sought-after
treasures by jewelry designers for their unique colors
and shapes, and they have become increasingly hard
to find. Many of the formulas for the colors have been
lost and cannot be reproduced.

The beads in this work are all woven together using
thick, tough, durable thread, the same thread that is
used to sew upholstery together. Each takes many
hours to make. Each is truly an heirloom piece.

Sold - Hummingbird Tagua
Beaded Necklace

Kitty (sorry this is now sold)
Large, premium jaguar tagua
Fancy sterling silver toggle clasp
$750.00
Available: Matching earrings $50
Matching bracelet $200

Have a special tagua piece that you think will work
on a necklace? I can collaborate with you to make
you a custom piece. Just contact me from the
Contact Me page.

Sold - Orchid Tagua
Beaded Necklace