Hard, dense seeds harvested from Phytelephas palms in the tropical rainforests of the Pacific region (notably Panama, Colombia and Ecuador). The white endosperm of the tagua nut — commonly called vegetable ivory — polishes to a smooth, ivory‑like finish while remaining a renewable, biodegradable plant material.
Key features:
- Raw material: hard white endosperm from Phytelephas species (e.g., P. macrocarpa, P. aequatorialis).
- Appearance: when polished, closely resembles mammal ivory in color and grain, making it well suited for decorative and finished products.
- Typical uses: buttons, beads, jewelry, carved ornaments, small sculptures, decorative inlays and other craft or industrial components.
- Origin and sourcing: native to northwestern South America; in Ecuador the species used for tagua grows in subtropical zones between the Andes and the coast (notably Manabí) up to ~1,500 m altitude.
- Sustainability: plant‑based, renewable and biodegradable alternative to animal ivory; suitable for businesses seeking ethically sourced natural materials.
Commercial considerations:
- Supplied as whole nuts or processed blanks (polished/cut) depending on supplier — confirm available grades, sizes and processing options with your vendor.
- Common grading factors include color uniformity, absence of internal defects, and shell integrity for carving/turning operations.
Applications include large‑scale button manufacturing, jewelry and bead production, artisanal carving and decorative manufacturing where a natural ivory‑like appearance and sustainable sourcing are required.
Product Details
Harmonized commodity
Brand:
tagua.global
Country of origin:
Ecuador
Industrial sector:
Unit type:
Kilogram
