Lovely necklace, colours are beautiful and it's so light and easy to wear.
It is beautiful, and so comfortable and lightweight. All as you describe, but somehow still unexpected. This is the first time in a long time that I have come across anything that I really liked as the initial reaction, and then found that I could probably wear or use it. I have very limited hand movement so that usually is the first qualifier for any purchase, so to receive this and for it to then exceed expectations is a real pleasure for me. Thank you so much for that.
I love my necklace, it's light, comfortable and the length is easily adjustable. It's exactly how it is shown in the picture.
I will definitely be buying more jewellery from you.
I have purchased 2 necklaces recently both are lovely and very original. I like the ethos of your brand.
This necklace exceeded my expectations. It's well made and beautiful. Tactile and lovely colours, easy to adjust the length.
Beautiful earrings
A gorgeous necklace. It’s lightweight and easy to put on with its adjustable fastening, so you can wear it as a choker with an open necked blouse, or much longer over a jumper. Loved the colours, so found it difficult to choose……
My gorgeous necklace arrived yesterday - what a beauty, I just love it and and will treasure it always. Your personal touches were the cherry on the top. Taking time to make it special made the unwrapping enchanting and will always be remembered. Thank you so very much for making my day. All your packaging is zero plastic, loved that too.
Really good quality, has such a lovely feel and the colour is so rich. The magnetic fastening is very quick and easy to fasten and yet it is also nice and secure.
Exactly what I’d been looking for - fabulous & great that it helps elephants too
I love my new earrings, they are such vibrant colours and beautiful shapes
Principles behind this item pleased me. Made from natural ‘stuff’ and, for me, especially important is the idea that women are getting the opportunity to work their way out of poverty!
Colours are beautiful and true to the pictures, Light to carry when travelling. Love my necklace! Highly recommend!
The bracelet was a wedding anniversary gift for my wife. She really liked it: loved the feel and colours. It came well wrapped up and very fast. I loved the personal note, lovely and unexpected touch.
Received mine yesterday and love it. I was impressed by the packaging as well - everything fully recyclable.
Such a beautiful unique necklace. My sister loved it as a birthday gift. Even better that purchasing a My Happy Elephant piece of jewellery is supporting families in a Ecuador.
Hi! I’m Alison and I often get asked how a ‘wee Scottish lass’ like me ended up living in Ecuador, starting a jewellery business with artisans in the Andes, and falling in love with one of the most of amazing natural wonders in the plant kingdom. It’s a crazy story but true! And I haven’t even told you yet how the jewellery helps save elephants and how I made my husband my business partner and we ended up as “The Happy Elephant”!
Tagua jewellery comes from the seed of a palm tree and is 100% sustainable
On ALL UK orders
We work with Indigenous artisans to create unique handcrafted jewellery
Every piece is one of a kind - like you!
“Love that I can vary its length so easily. It's lovely to wear and is always commented on when I wear it." - Wendy P.
HYPOALLERGENIC, NON-TOXIC, NON-METAL - 100% PLANT MATERIAL
When living in Ecuador, we were fortunate enough to meet two of Ecuador’s finest tagua artisans, Cesar and his wife Teresa. For five years we have worked hand-in-hand with this talented Indigenous Quichua artisan family who bring to life beautiful handcrafted jewellery from nature.
What we love is the connections we have made over the years and how we have come to rely on one another. We felt so moved that our very first order with Cesar meant he was able buy his family their very first washing machine!
Tagua (pronounced ‘TAG-wah’) is the seed of the tagua palm native to Ecuador. Often referred to as "vegetable ivory," it resembles elephant ivory but is entirely plant-based, providing a practical alternative. As an ivory substitute, the tagua nut can truly be called an elephant’s friend!
Tagua jewellery is perfect for sensitive skin. It is 100% plant material, 100% hypoallergenic and 100% non-toxic.
Our experience is that many give an audible gasp when they first hold a tagua nut! Touching tagua is unlike anything you’ve ever touched before!
Tagua has a smooth, soothing tactile feel that many find calming and stress relieving. The touch of Tagua comforts the senses.
Just like being in nature gives us a sense of calm and well-being, tagua (coming from a plant) does just the same! What an incredible material!
For over 5 years we have worked with Cesar, one of Ecuador’s finest Indigenous tagua artisans. He and his wife and brothers carefully craft The Happy Elephant jewellery.
Tagua seeds are first dried in the sun for 3 months. They are then carved into pieces, tumbled to produce a high polish, and dyed with Italian vegetable and mineral dyes.
Tagua is incredibly sustainable, offering multiple environmental benefits that make it a true eco-friendly material. When you choose tagua, you're supporting rainforest conservation, providing fair wages to local communities, and helping protect endangered elephants by offering a renewable alternative to ivory.
Tagua jewellery is incredibly durable, crafted from a naturally hard material that can be worn every day while maintaining its beauty.
No - tagua jewellery is ultra lightweight. This is one of the unique benefits of tagua that our customers comment on.
Yes! Tagua is actually a seed, not a nut, making it safe for those with nut allergies to wear. However, if you have severe allergies, it's always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider first.
The tagua necklaces fasten with a slip knot*, providing easy adjustability for a comfortable fit and allowing you to change the length to complement multiple outfits. This design eliminates fiddly clasps, making it effortless to pop on and take off! (*unless specified)
Tagua begins as a sweet liquid that can be drunk, then changes to a jelly that’s edible, and finally hardens into a durable seed perfect for carving.
Yes of course! Just add your product, and at checkout add your giftee’s address in the shipping info, and any personal note you’d like to send and we’ll do the rest!
Yes your package includes a Story Leaflet with not only the story of tagua, but also our artisan’s story.
