Rain Forest

The rain forests of the world are rapidly disappearing! It is up to all of us to do our part to support the efforts of those working to save these incredible environments.

This collection utilizes a variety of materials which express the essence of the life within these forests. Seeds and tagua nut beads and pendants, found in the rain forest, not only supply a unique material for this collection, but also provide jobs for those living in the rain forest areas. Tagua nuts (also referred to as vegetable ivory) are carved into beads and pendants by artists in South America and look very much like ivory. They are a lustrous reminder of the beauty of the world’s rain forests – and all that we stand to lose should these areas disappear.

Tagua Nut Collection

Selerino Cheucarma, Tagua Carver

I am extremely pleased to introduce my new line of tagua nut jewelry, and honored to have a world renowned master Tagua carver, Selerino Cheucarama, create these beautiful pendants exclusively for my collection. Mr. Cheucarama, seen here in the photo, is from the Wounaan Ethnia, one of several Native American groups living in Panama. He won third prize in a world arts and crafts competition sponsored by UNESCO, a dependency of the United Nations. Each pendant is signed by the artist, and the figures carved are all native to Panama.

The tagua nut comes from a palm tree which grows in rare sub-tropical climates such as the rainforest. These nuts can be harvested from the trees on a sustainable basis so that the survival of the trees is not threatened, thus promoting forest conservation. The nuts have a color and hardness similar to elephant ivory, making it an ideal substitute.

By purchasing tagua nut products, you are not only keeping an ancient craft alive, but are also providing a financial base for the artists of Central and South America, and helping to save the African elephant.