ES

Seeds, tagua and nuts

· 1 min read · Materials

Red, black and brown seeds used as beads

Many seeds and nuts have always been used as beads: they are light, natural and very varied. Red and black seeds, Job's tears, tagua or Ecuadorian “vegetable ivory” and pieces of coconut are polished, drilled and strung into natural-looking necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Properties #

  • Examples: tagua (vegetable ivory), huayruro, Job's tears, açaí, rudraksha, coconut and bamboo.
  • Hardness: variable: tagua is hard and carves almost like bone; other seeds are more fragile.
  • Look: earth tones, reds, blacks and whites, with a natural grain.
  • Weight: light and comfortable.
  • Working: drilled, polished, dyed and sealed with oil or varnish.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Necklaces and bracelets of seed beads.
  • Lightweight earrings.
  • Carved tagua as an ethical substitute for ivory.
  • Combination with cord, leather and metal.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Eco-friendly and renewable.
  • Very light.
  • A wide range of natural colors.

Limitations #

  • It is sensitive to moisture.
  • Some seeds wear and lose color.
  • Some seeds are toxic if chewed or swallowed.

Care and cleaning #

  • Avoid getting them wet; dry them if they do.
  • Clean with a dry cloth.
  • Check the thread regularly.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.