In the 1920s, millions of people wore buttons made from tagua nuts, a South American seed known as "vegetable ivory". This sustainable natural material closely resembled elephant ivory, offering an earth-friendly precursor to plastic buttons.
- Tagua nuts closely resemble elephant ivory in hardness and appearance.
- In the 1920s, tagua buttons were a popular, sustainable alternative to metal and wood.
- Today, tagua is prized for eco-friendly jewelry and crafts.
What happened
During the early 20th century, tagua nut buttons enjoyed widespread popularity as a sustainable alternative to metal, wood, and ivory buttons. The seeds come from the tagua palm native to South America and harden to an ivory-like consistency, which made them especially suitable for buttons and small carvings. They were known as corozo buttons and were the natural predecessor to the ubiquitous plastic buttons that would later dominate the market.
The decline of tagua nut use for buttons came with the rise of cheap plastic materials, which rapidly replaced natural seeds and ivory substitutes in fashion and manufacturing. However, even today, tagua nuts are harvested sustainably with no harm to the palm trees, making them an environmentally-friendly resource still used for artisan jewelry and carvings across countries like Ecuador and Colombia.
Why it feels good
Tagua nuts provide a heartwarming example of nature-inspired innovation meeting practical human needs. These seeds, known as “vegetable ivory,” closely imitate the qualities of elephant ivory without the ethical or environmental costs associated with animal products. Wearing or using tagua is a sustainable choice, supporting renewable resources rather than plastic or extracted minerals.
Knowing that tagua nuts are harvested after ripening naturally and transform into hard, workable material highlights a careful balance between human craft and ecological responsibility. It’s a gentle reminder that long before synthetic plastics reshaped our world, creative solutions from nature paved the way for stylish, durable goods.
What to enjoy or watch next
If the story of tagua nuts sparks your curiosity about eco-friendly materials, keep an eye out for jewelry and accessories made from these seeds at artisan markets and fair-trade shops. Many contemporary artists dye and carve tagua to create beautiful beads, earrings, and small sculptures that carry on this century-old tradition sustainably.
For a historical touch, vintage clothing collectors treasure authentic tagua buttons from the 1920s, often called corozo buttons. Finding an old suit or coat with these buttons offers a glimpse into a time when renewable resources shaped fashion, inspiring today’s designers to revisit these eco-conscious materials.