Name: Melody

Message: I am searching for a product that can be used to paint a design on tagua slices & remain permanent w/out wearing off?  Paint does not work.

Have you experimented with permanent markers, such as Sharpie pens, or fabric markers, such as Jacquard Tee Juice markers? The pigment from a good fabric marker should soak in better than ordinary paint, so that the color will not chip off.

Tagua nuts can be dyed with fiber reactive dyes that are intended for cellulose fibers, or with natural dyes after mordanting with aluminum acetate . See
"Dyeing tagua nut slices to use as jewelry".

Try not to soak the nuts in water (or dye plus water) for too long, in order to reduce the risk of cracking.

With time, oils in the tagua nuts will migrate to their surfaces, which may change their appearance. Their colors will naturally darken, so whatever color you apply will eventually be changed.

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