Hand-carved in Ecuador from tagua nuts, this substantial 25-mm button will definitely catch your eye. The dark area is the remaining bark, and it adds emphasis and interest to overall fastenings, slacks, winter coats, home furnishings, and so many other uses. The colors vary from button to button; some are very dark and others much lighter.

The nut of a native palm tree, tagua is also known as corozo or vegetable ivory. It looks like animal ivory, and can be both carved and dyed. Profits made from the nut's use provide a reason not to harvest South American rain forest and deplete the ozone layer.