Toby the Turtle — Hand-carved Tagua Nut Figurine
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PLANT BASED JEWELLERY HANDCRAFTED FROM VEGETABLE IVORY
Meet The Founder
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”!
Meet The Artisans
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!
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Happiness Guarantee
We love happy customers! 30 day money back guarantee that you'll love it. If not, return it for a refund!
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Featured on BBC
As featured on BBC Radio and BBC Future
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Free Shipping
Free shipping on jewellery orders over £49.
You can also enjoy other shipping options at checkout
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the jewellery and how?
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 moths. They are then carved into pieces, tumbled to produce a high polish, and dyed with Italian vegetable and mineral dyes.
How sustainable is tagua?
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.
How durable is it?
Tagua jewellery is very durable. Crafted from a naturally hard material tagua jewellery can be worn every day while maintaining its beauty.
Is it heavy to wear?
No - tagua jewellery is ultra lightweight. This is one of the unique benefits of tagua that our customers comment on.
Can those with nut allergies wear tagua nut jewellery?
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.
Can you eat tagua?
Tagua begins as a sweet liquid that can be drunk, then sets into a jelly that’s edible, and finally hardens into a durable seed perfect for carving.
Can I send a gift directly?
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!
It comes beautifully gift wrapped and includes an information leaflet that not only tells the story of tagua, but also about our artisans who make the jewellery.
Do you provide a matching service?
Yes we do. We help many customers who send us photos of their outfits and we can do the same for you to help you choose the perfect jewellery for any occasion.
We do have jewellery pieces that are not online which could be ideal.
This matching service is offered for a flat rate of £10
Please feel free to contact me here Hi Alison