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CHICA — Handmade Tagua Earrings

Our Chica Earrings are featherlight with striking feel-good colour - made to spark compliments all day, not weigh you down. Natural, organic markings mean no two pairs are ever exactly alike.

Regular price £28.95
Regular price Sale price £28.95
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Details

  • Made of tagua nut - 100% natural, vegan and sustainable
  • Handmade in Ecuador by Indigenous artisans
  • Hypoallergenic, nickel and lead free hooks
  • Dyed using colourfast specialist dyes made for natural materials such as tagua, wool and linen. Sun-dried and tumbled to bring out the tagua's natural shine.
  • Approx 5cms long from top of earring hook
  • Colours and shapes may vary slightly from the photo. That's the beauty of handmade, natural pieces!

Need Silver Hooks or Clip-ons?

All the earrings include hypoallergenic hook wires.

If you prefer Sterling Silver 925 you can click here to add them to the basket and I'll professionally modify your earrings to Sterling Silver 925.

Need clip-on earrings? No problem! These earrings can be converted to clip-ons by clicking here to add to the basket and I'll do the rest.

Made from a wonder of nature

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. As an ivory substitute, the tagua nut can truly be called an elephant’s friend!

Does tagua have special properties?

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 is calming and stress relieving. The touch of tagua comforts the senses.

Just as being in nature gives us a sense of calm and well-being, tagua does just the same! What an incredible material!

Gifting made easy

At checkout simply add your giftee’s address and any personal note and we’ll do the rest!

The gift comes beautifully wrapped and includes an information leaflet that not only tells the story of tagua, but also about our artisans who make the jewellery.

Featured

PLANT BASED JEWELLERY HANDCRAFTED FROM VEGETABLE IVORY

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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!

Find Out More

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the jewellery & how?

For over five years we have worked with Cesar, one of Ecuador’s finest Indigenous tagua artisans. He, his wife and his brothers carefully craft The Happy Elephant jewellery.

Tagua seeds are first dried in the sun for three months. They are then carved into pieces, tumbled to produce a high polish, and dyed using colourfast specialist dyes made for natural materials such as tagua, wool and linen.

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.

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sarah b.

Oh these are lovely, it was a present to myself. I shall definitely buy some more

What a good idea a gift for your sister and then one for yourself. 🐘

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Rosslyn A.

I love these earrings ,the colour is perfect.

Hi Rosslyn, we're so happy you love your earrings! Thank you for your lovely review. Enjoy wearing them! We love colour here at The Happy Elephant.

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Sue J.

Well, I’ve already got them in red, two shades of green, salmon…… what can I say…..

Hi Sue, we're soooooooo glad you love your Chica earrings! The collection is growing.

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Joy G.

I have loved all of my Happy Elephant purchases .
Unfortunately they were all for birthday presents though I was reluctant to give them 🤣
I am hoping to buy some of the necklaces for myself quite soon . My friends loved their presents X

Hi Joy, thank you so much for sharing. As you say time to treat yourself!!

A
Anonymous

Lovely lightweight earrings on a nice fiine wire fixing

We're so glad you love the earrings and find them lightweight. Thanks for sharing your kind words!

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Jo

Light and easy to wear - look amazing. Love the colour.

Thanks for another lovely review - it means so much!

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Sue J.

Bought to go with a necklace I bought a while ago - this is how it works ladies! You buy one thing and it’s like the entry level drug! 😁

Hi Sue, we're thrilled to hear you're loving your jewellery and I was laughing out loud at your analogy!! So true - it can become an obsession. That is how it started with me!!

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H H.

Pretty, nice bright colour so give a nice pop. Very light and comfortable to wear.

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Melva W.

Really happy with my chica earrings,my fourth pair from The Happy Elephant.Vibrant colour and whisper light,a lovely addition to my growing collection.

Hi Melva love the 'whisper light' comment.

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Nina

Beautiful earrings. So unusual. Very light and so comfy to wear. Would highly recommend.

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Colleen
Lovely delicate slices of the tagua- sea glass

Lovely delicate slices of the tagua seed. They have a lovely polish with transparency so you can see the natural shading of the original seed.

Thank you for such a lovely review - so glad you love the naturalness of tagua!

L
Linda S.
Another ear ring style I have fallen in love with

Another ear ring style I have fallen in love with. Not too big, nice and light, good depth of colour, and teams up nicely with most of my clothes. Now I'm going to have to buy a necklace to go with them... ;)

Hi Linda thank you for another lovely review. The Chica Earrings are just so cute hey!

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Anonymous
Chica earrings.

Lovely lightweight comfortable to wear earrings. True to colour. I have these earrings in several colours

A
Anonymous
Beautiful earrings to go with the lovely necklace I bought

Beautiful earrings to go with the lovely necklace I bought. So light to wear and unique items.

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George W.
Earrings

Glad Ichanged my mind and Sent with your suggested colour

I'm really glad you are happy with your purchase and I'm sure your wife will love it! I always like to make sure our customers are happy. Thank you for your lovely review!

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Carole

Love my new style of necklace. Beautiful colours & well admired. Lovely & light to wear.
Can’t wait for my next delivery!

Many thanks for a lovely review! It means so much to us to know how much you love your jewellery - roll on the compliments!

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Rhian S.
Cool earrings

Love these vibrant, light and easy to wear earrings! They add effortless style to a range of outfits.

Thank you so much Rhian for such a lovely review! They really are such lightweight wearable earrings!

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Hilary
Great earrings

I’m very happy with my earrings as they’re very impactful but not overwhelming.
Excellent quality. Would heartily recommend them for everyday and as a present. I pair mine with my LILY necklace.

What a great line'impactful but not overwhelming' I love it. Thanks again Hilary for taking the time to get back like this.

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Pam

These earrings are so comfortable and at the same time so stylish!! Perfect for wearing day to night and make an eye-catching accessory without being overwhelming!!
Over the years I have bought many of these in a wide range of colours for so many outfits and keep coming back for more!

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Rhona D.

I loved the colour and the shape of the earrings. Every time I wear them someone comments how bright and beautiful they are. The delivery is prompt and so beautifully wrapped.

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Sue W.

These beautiful little earrings are excellent quality, like all Happy Elephant stock.
Each pair of earrings is unique.
I get compliments every time I wear them!

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Carole L.

I first met you on Buckingham market and loved every thing you had on display you told me all about how you have made everything and the history of it I brought a necklace and earrings when I met up with my friends they love them so much so I ordered a set for my friend for Christmas she is going to be delighted