Idra Three-Strand Cascade Necklace

$45.00

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OTJ-N852

Two solid cobalt ovals anchor the collar, and beneath them three strands cascade in graduated scale — mottled powder blue, deep teal, cream — separated by small brass-tone spacers that catch the light between beads.

Material: Tagua nut, bombona seed, pambil, acai berry
Color: Blue, teal, cream
Length: 28-36 in adjustable
Closure: Sliding cord
Origin: Ecuador

The strands shorten toward the top and lengthen at the bottom, sitting comfortably against a crewneck or an open collar. The adjustable cord lets it wear high on the throat or low across the chest, and the seed-and-nut beads keep the volume light.

Details

Three-strand cascading design
Adjustable slide closure
Mixed bead shapes and textures
Natural seed and nut materials

Each bead is cut and polished from natural seeds and nuts, so color, texture and size shift slightly from strand to strand.

The Story

Tagua nut, sometimes called vegetable ivory, comes from the seed of a palm native to Ecuador's coastal and Amazonian regions. Dried and polished, it takes on a dense, bone-like finish that holds pigment well, which is why it turns up so often in South American beadwork.

Bombona and pambil are palm seeds too, prized for the natural mottling that surfaces once they're cut, sanded and buffed to a smooth finish. Pairing them with acai berry beads — small, hard, cream-colored — is how Ecuadorian makers build texture and depth from what a single palm forest produces.

Seeds and nuts come in a narrow size range, so stacking several strands of varying bead shapes is how the piece reaches its fuller, layered scale. The finished beads are strung by hand in a set sequence and closed with a hand-tied adjustable slide.

Craft & Care

Technique: Ecuadorian tagua and seed beadwork

Keep the beads dry and out of prolonged sunlight, and avoid contact with lotions or perfumes. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth.

Questions

What is tagua, or vegetable ivory?

Tagua is the dried seed of a palm native to Ecuador. Once cut and polished, it takes on a dense, smooth finish similar to bone or ivory, which is why it's a popular sustainable material in South American jewelry.

How long is the necklace?

It adjusts from approximately 28 to 36 in via a sliding cord closure, so you can wear it at the length you prefer.

How do I care for the beads?

Keep the necklace dry, store it out of direct sunlight, and avoid contact with lotions or perfumes. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth.

Is this necklace heavy to wear?

No. Tagua, seed and berry beads are naturally light, so the three-strand design sits comfortably despite its layered scale.