I have a necklace and bracelet set I got from a farmers’ market in (Kona? Hilo?) Hawaii (Big Island) on my trip in 2007. It is made of seeds from the mgambo tree (latin: Majidea zanqueborica, orig. east Africa). I love the quality of the seed cover – organic, yet lush. Nature’s velvet. It’s apparently weather proof and will not lose it’s velvety touch. I wore it on our wedding day in 2008.

Other names for the Mgambo product/seed:

• Maambo
• Black Pearl
• African Velvet Seed
• Hawaiian Velvet Seed
• Weleweka (Hawaiian transliteration of ‘velvet’)

Here’s the vendor who sold me the jewelry: Kristof Baugher of “the Velvet Echo” (808-937-2081, thevelvetecho@yahoo.com, 143 Punahele St, Hilo HI 96720)

Here’s an etsy seller who has items made with mgambo seeds [ here ]