While on vacation I saw a product called vegetable ivory (I think the correct name is Tagua). Here'sa link to some sample designs that have been made. This isn't the website of the artist I saw but it gives some decent examples.

It is apparently hard as wood and the artist told me she uses wood working tools when carving it (ban saws, dremels, etc). I thought it would make beautiful scales but these nuts only get to be about 2 inches or so in length so there would be a line or two on each scale as individual pieces would need to be joined together.

I'm just sharing because I thought it was a unique idea. I might still do it but I haven't decided yet.