A palm like tree which grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet in several tropical regions of South America produce a vegetable ivory nut or seed called a Tagua nut. (Pronounced: Ta qwa or Tah gwa). They range in size from a cherry to a grapefruit and average about the size of a walnut. It usually takes from 15 to 20 to make a pound. Chemically they are pure cellulose and before the nut mature have a milky sweet liquid in the center. When ripe the nuts fall to the ground and are gathered and dried from four to eight weeks after which they become extremely hard. The nut is not toxic. Color varies from blue-white to amber with most nuts ivory-amber.

The ivory nut is close grain and very hard. The cellular structure and grain is similar to that of elephant ivory, but is more dense and resilient. It resembles the finest ivory in texture and color and is slightly softer than mammal ivory and usually contains a void in the center of the nut. Their are several names for this vegetable ivory nut, but the most common is the "Tagua Nut". Its similarity to elephant ivory has been known by craftsman for years and is frequently passed as elephant ivory on objects fashioned from it and can be very deceptive. It being so much like mammal ivory that pieces carved from it are sold at the same price as elephant ivory and in some carvings much more.

HISTORY

For over two hundred years vegetable ivory has been used by ivory carvers in the making of netsukes,dice, dominoes,and chess pieces. Other uses found were cane and umbrella handles,pipes, mah-jongg tiles,sewing needle cases and the fine art of scrimshaw. Religious figurines were carved as were many toys. In the late eighteen hundreds up through World War II this ivory nut was used to make some of the finest buttons in the clothing industry. Some were even used on United States Army uniforms.

For close to eighty years the ivory nut was a commodity of global importance and factories on three continents used to manufacture articles of utility and luxury. The coming of synthetics killed the world ivory nut market.

The vegetable ivory nut has began a come back because of the slaughter and near extinction of mammal ivory, e.g., elephant, whales, walrus and other species.

Additional Information

The Vegetable Ivory Nut is called a Tagua Nut. Some times it is called:
Corozo Nut: (British)(Spelled Corrozzo sometimes)
Binroji Nut:(Japanese)
Coquilla Nut:(From Brazil)
Steinnuss:(German)
It has several different names in the different countries were it grows. It grows in Southern Panama, Colombia, Equador, and Peru. The Botanical name is: Phytelephas Macrocarpa Palmae. Their are several sub species of palms that produce similar nuts. Colombia produces the most, and even plantations have been planted to produce a viable product. The Indians of Colombia along the Magdalena River gave the name "Tagua". In the coastal area they are called "Anta". In Peru its called "Pullipunta" and, also sometimes "Homero". The palm tree is found in damp and moist locations along the costal region. The palm tree is also found at elevations above sea level in the Andes. The palm tree grows to about 30 to 40 feet. Size of nut: Small chicken egg to as large as a grapefruit,(Rare). Average about 1 1/2" to 2" in diameter. The above information has been compiled from several sources over the past 20 years.

NOTE:The above artical has been PLAGIARIZED, (Copied, Lifted, Stold, Used Illegally,Bootleg, etc.) by several hundred web sites. I don't mind them using this site, but give credit, where credit is due.

Grandpa Spragg

Below are a few minitures I have turned in Tagua Nut. The are about 3/4" to 1" wide and a 1/4 inch to 1/2" tall. The thimbles are normal size.