The Palma Collection brings a jewelry line inspired by the desire to make a positive change. The Tagua nut (pronounced Ta- qwa or Tah-gwa) or otherwise known as vegetable ivory comes from a genus of palm trees that are indigenous to the tropical regions of South America.
The exotic and original line is made from nature. The fallen nuts are harvested from rain forest floor and polished and carved and French-dyed in an array of vivid colors. The nuts and the dyes are both non toxic. I love the vivid colors but may like the natural look as seen in the earrings below even more.
As the nut is referred to as "vegetable ivory" it is therefore the sustainable alternative to ivory that is derived from animals. Moreover, the responsible cultivation and harvesting of Tagua may actually contribute to rain forest conservation in South America.
Interesting Facts:
• The Amazonian Indians believes that Vegetable Ivory, or Tagua Nut,
nut brings prosperity, happiness, love and abundance.
• Mayans, Incas, Aztecs, and natives of South and Central America
used Tagua for emotional and spiritual health and well-being. To them,
Tagua is sacred.
• Last century, until the breakthrough of the plastics, Tagua was
widely used for making buttons (even for U.S. Army uniforms).
• Over the last twenty years Tagua use has once again has become
popular for those who want something more exclusive and eco-friendly
than plastic.
• Tagua comes under different names like palm ivory, vegetable
ivory, corozo/corozzo, coquilla (Brazil), palmivoor, steennoot (Dutch),
steinnuss (German) and binroji (Japanese).
See many more designs at their website here. Palma Collection
