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Color-Block Tagua Chip Necklace, Black and Red

Color-Block Tagua Chip Necklace, Black and Red

$38.00
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MC-N73

Thirteen flat pebble-shaped chips strung in two solid blocks — matte black on one half, saturated red on the other. Each chip carries a slightly different outline, so the edge of the necklace ripples rather than repeats.

  • Material: Tagua nut, cotton cord
  • Color: Black, red
  • Length: 19–20 in
  • Origin: Ecuador
  • Composition: 13 chips, asymmetrical color block

The chips are flat rather than round, so the piece sits close to the neck instead of standing away from it. Knots between each bead let the strand drape along its own curve, and the split between the two colors shifts as you turn.

Details
  • Hand-carved tagua chips
  • Two-tone color blocking
  • Smooth polished surface
  • Hand-knotted cotton cord between chips
  • Asymmetrical composition

Each chip is cut, sanded, and dyed by hand from a natural seed, so slight variations in shape, tone, and surface texture are normal and part of the piece.

The Story

Tagua is the dried seed of the ivory palm, grown in Ecuador's coastal and lowland forests. Once hardened, it takes a cut and a polish like bone — plant-based, renewable, and worked in small artisan shops as an alternative to animal ivory.

This piece leans into the material's natural qualities instead of hiding them. The chips are left in their irregular pebble outlines rather than turned into uniform beads, and the visible grain across the red side is part of the finished piece.

Each chip is sliced from the dried seed, sanded and polished by hand, dyed in solid color batches, drilled, and strung on cotton cord with a knot tied between each bead so it holds its position.

Craft & Care
  • Technique: Hand-carved and dyed tagua

Keep away from water — moisture dulls the dye and affects the finish. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth and store out of direct sunlight to keep the color saturated.

Questions

How long is this necklace?

It measures about 19 to 20 in.

What is tagua?

Tagua is a hard, ivory-like material made from the dried seed of the South American ivory palm, native to Ecuador. It is renewable and plant-based — the seed is harvested without cutting down the palm — and it is typically hand-carved and dyed by artisans.

Can I wear this necklace in water?

No. Water exposure dulls the dye and affects the tagua's finish. Wipe clean with a dry cloth instead.

Will every necklace look exactly like the photo?

Close, but not identical. Each chip is individually cut, sanded, and dyed by hand, so slight differences in shape and tone are normal.

Is tagua a sustainable material?

Yes. The seed is harvested without harming the palm, so tagua is renewable and biodegradable, and the craft supports artisan workshops in Ecuador.

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