I’m pretty sure I’m not inventing the term “eco-chic,” but it was the first thing that came to mind when I spotted this Tagua Nut Necklace by The Andean Collection at Green Envy in Newport (at their new Franklin Street location). This design is brand new for this fall and is handmade by Fair Trade artisans in Ecuador (owner Rachel Lessne ensures there’s environmental responsibility behind everything in the shop).
Each Andean Collection piece has a card with the artisan’s story and a link where you can see pictures of the exact artistan who made your piece of jewelry–pretty amazing right?! (Imagine if Apple let you see your iPhone creator!!!). The nuts the necklaces take 5 months to sun dry, are hand carved, and finally dyed. I brought a multi-strand necklace very similar to the above one to The Rhode Show on Thursday (click here to see the segment)! Tagua nuts are called “vegetable ivory” because they have the same smooth texture as ivory (and I hope no one is wearing real ivory!). This particular necklace is $98, but the Tagua nut jewelry Green Envy carries starts at just $15.
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