Tagua beads in diferent shapes. These craft beads are side drilled and they are very used for jewelry making especially necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Our premium beads do not discolor, neither stain the clothes or the skin. We use dyes toxic free on our premium beads, 100% guarantee! Measurements may vary. Made in Ecuador.

Tagua Beads are made sustainably from the nuts of South American palm trees. Tagua nuts are also know as eco ivory, vegetal ivory, exotic ivory. They're eco-friendly. Choose from generous selections of our tagua beads stock: pearls, nuts, seed beads bugle, slices and more.  

Over 100 beads available, Order Online: << www.beads.EcuadorianHands.com >> 

Fair Trade? To our Ecofriendly Beading Community

People always ask us whether the beads are fair trade. Not only do our customers ask this, some have turned up to inspect our factory! To be honest, we not know much about the trading within the rain forest areas as it is informal and not yet regulated. For an idea: " A family gathers 2 pounds of nuts, gets a boat across the river, gets to the town and sell it to local merchants." From that point though, trading is traceable. We pay a fair price and treat our workers fairly.

Please keep in mind that using ecofriendly beads we are helping to foster protect the world. Keep on beading! Cheers!

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.