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Deep red tagua nut slice bib necklace in three layered rows on an adjustable natural cord, carved in Ecuador
  • Deep red tagua nut slice bib necklace in three layered rows on an adjustable natural cord, carved in Ecuador
  • Deep red tagua nut slice bib necklace in three layered rows on an adjustable natural cord, carved in Ecuador
Amigas Tagua Slice Bib Necklace, Deep Red

Amigas Tagua Slice Bib Necklace, Deep Red

$52.00

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  • USA based
  • 30-day returns
OTJ-N250

Currently out of stock

Deep crimson slices layer in overlapping tiers, each polished disc catching the light against the darker edges left where the seed was cut. The shapes stay irregular — no two the same — building a bib with organic weight.

  • Material: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory), natural cord
  • Color: Deep red
  • Length: Adjustable up to 40 in
  • Closure: Sliding cord
  • Origin: Ecuador

The natural cord slides to sit anywhere from a long drape to a shorter length against the collarbone. Despite the scale of the composition, the piece is surprisingly light on the neck. A concentrated wash of red over a plain crew neck or a white shirt.
Details
  • Layered, cascading construction
  • Hand-carved and hand-polished slices
  • Lightweight despite the scale
  • Adjustable slide closure
  • Plant-based material

Each slice is cut and dyed by hand from a natural seed, so color, shape and size vary slightly from piece to piece.

The Story

Tagua is the seed of a palm that grows in Ecuador's coastal and Amazon-edge forests. Once dried, its dense white interior polishes so close to elephant ivory that late-1800s traders shipped it to Europe and the US by the ton for buttons — the nickname 'vegetable ivory' has stuck ever since.

Here, whole cross-sections of the seed are sliced rather than cut into uniform beads, leaving the naturally rounded, uneven outlines intact. Layering many of those slices into a tiered bib is a design approach specific to Ecuador's tagua workshops, built to show off the material's organic edges and the depth a rich dye takes on in a dense, polished seed.

The deep red comes from plant-based dye rather than synthetic pigment, keeping the material's full lifecycle — palm to seed to finished piece — inside the vegetable-based process the tagua trade is known for.

Craft & Care
  • Technique: Tagua nut carving

Wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth. Keep away from water and prolonged sunlight to protect the color and finish.

Questions

What is tagua?

Tagua is the seed of a palm native to Ecuador. Once dried, its interior hardens into a dense, ivory-like material that carves and polishes cleanly, which is why it has long been called 'vegetable ivory.'

Is the necklace heavy to wear?

No. Tagua is naturally lightweight, so even a layered bib of this scale sits comfortably on the neck.

How does the fit adjust?

The cord slides to adjust up to 40 in, so it can be worn long and layered or shortened to sit higher on the neckline.

Will the red color fade?

The dye is stable with normal wear. Like any natural dyed material, it holds its color longest kept away from water, direct sun and prolonged light exposure.

Why does each necklace look slightly different from the photo?

Every slice is cut and dyed by hand from a natural seed, so small variations in shape, size and shade are normal and part of what makes each piece one of a kind.

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