Living in Africa in the 1960s, my parents were given some antique ivory ornaments.   When they brought them home, I was intrigued.  I loved the feel, the subtle differences in color, the cool smoothness.  But when I learned where this marvelous material came from, I was horrified.  I made a child’s promise never to do anything to harm an elephant.  No ivory for me.

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Fast forward (more than) a few years, and imagine how happy I was to discover another ivory – the one which grows on trees.  It seems there is a plant in the South American rain forests called the Elephant Palm (no joke … that’s really its scientific name) producing a fruit so dense and hard that it can be carved and polished just like elephant or walrus tusks. 

 

The tree’s nut – which we call Nuvory™ – is a perfect substitute for animal tusks.

Nuvory is a really great alternative.  This extraordinary material is confusingly similar in color, appearance and feel to animal ivory.  Like animal ivory, it is rare, exotic, completely natural and comes from a marvelous wild creature.  But unlike elephants, palm trees don’t die when Nuvory is harvested.

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Both Nuvory and animal ivory come from an endangered species … The difference is that using one helps preserve rain forests, while the other contributes to a slaughter.  So, I encourage everyone to support the fight against poaching and exploitation of animal ivory.  And to try Nuvory as a sustainable, responsible substitute – We currently feature it in our Primo Amore, Wings and In Vogue collections. 

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So please use Nuvory … because ‘The Most Beautiful Ivory Grows on Trees’