Corozo Buttons

Corozo buttons are made in Panama from the seeds of a tropical palm or Tagua Palm. This material is also commonly referred to as Vegetable Ivory because of its similarity in appearance to the ivory of elephant tusks.

The Corozo Palm’s seed pod (fruit) is large, reaching about a foot diameter. This nut is surprisingly versatile, and is the perfect material for making buttons because it can be easily pressed, cut, heated, lasered, bleached, dyed and polished.  If you look closely, you can often see the natural grain of the Tagua nut.