125 Handmade Smoking Pipes. Eco Ivory Tagua. Lenght 5.5 cm/ 2.17" . We'll ship assorted designs. Get it online FREE SHIPPING, We accept paypal>

http://www.ecuadorianhands.com/en/250-handmade-smoking-pipes-eco-ivory-tagua-popeye-model-3273.html

About Tagua

The origin of a beautiful and exotic piece of work: Tagua Beads!

You might ask what is Exotic Ivory? Well, let me tell you that in tropical and humid mountains of Ecuador there is a singular plant called Tagua, also called exotic ivory or vegetable ivory too. Wait a minute...! A tree plant called vegetable ivory!? Is that possible? Well, to give you an scientific explanation: Tagua because of its morphology looks like palms, but is not a botanically palmácea but belongs to the Ciclantáceas family.

Its scientific name is Phytelephas Aequatorialis. Etymologically from the Greek PhytelephasPhyton = plant and Elephas = ivory, ie plant ivory or vegetable ivory, or Tagua or Exotic Ivory. Wow, so many names for a palm tree:). 

Tagua is remarkably similar to animal ivory in both looks and feel. Tagua is durable and easily carved, and it even mimics the porosity of animal ivory. The biggest difference: Elephant do not have to die.

(Did you know that previously turning into hard-rock eco ivory, tagua is a fruit that you can actually eat? Taste like coco.)

Well, I don't pretent to bore you, so let's skip this and go to the interesting part. The true is that this material is hard and looks like animal ivory, and it is completely natural. Therefore, we have ivory, but elephants don't have to die. How cool is that, ah?

Tagua is so versatile that we can use it to manufacture decorative figurines, buttons for the fashion industry, and also beads for jewelry making, which is very suitable for women in different countries of the world.