Purple is the colour of love,
Purple is the colour I dream of.
Purple is the colour of passion,
Purple is the latest fashion.
Purple is the colour of glad,
Purple is the best colour they had.
Purple is the colour of laughs,
Purple is what he said on my behalf.
Purple is the colour of me,
Purple is the best, you see.
– Luna Moon
Radiant Orchid … Purple to you and me!
Pantone has announced the 2014 colour of the year; a soft fuchsia with pink and purple undertones called ‘Radiant Orchid’.
In western culture purple is the colour of royalty, wealth, and extravagance with undertones of theology and religion, having been used by the Catholic Bishops. In fact this symbolism is spread through Asian culture, with the colour being linked to privilege and aristocracy in Japan. Chinese symbolism somewhat breaks this, with the colour purple representing spiritual awareness and healing.
Purple is generally considered to be an ‘unnatural colour’ as it is the least frequently seen in nature, and was the very first colour to ever be created synthetically. In this ‘colour of the year’ however, Pantone seem to be associating purple with nature, using the Orchid flower and a delicate pastel and pinkish hue to front their colour rather than a richer more saturated colour, or a cooler blue.
The Purple Gems
While amethyst and tanzanite are no flowers they are very natural and very purple! So in celebration of this colour of the year, we’re showcasing some of our prettiest purple pieces, but we’ll take a second to have a closer at the metaphysical properties these stones have been reported to possess.
Amethyst is found all over the world and for that reason it is largely inexpensive despite being beautiful and of a highly desirable gemstone hardness. This stone is strongly associated with protection, healing, and 
power. It was infamous in ancient Greece where it was said to prevent drunkenness, so much so that the Greek’s fashioned goblets and glasses out of it to stave off the ill effects of alcohol.
Tanzania is the home of the eponymously named African gemstone tanzanite. This gem is a new addition, having only been discovered in 1967 although the stones themselves are about 585 million years old. Tanzanite is associated with communication and truth.
Lesser well know ‘purple’ gemstones are: tourmaline, spinel, sapphire, and yes…..you can even get purple diamonds, although these are extremely rare and expensive.
If you have decided the word ‘purple’ doesn’t sound very exciting, how about using ‘mauvine’ instead?!
Author:
Abigail Hoy – Digital and Social Media Apprentice
Mini Bio: Abigail is new to the world of digital media and marketing, she assists AC Silver’s Marketing Manager and champions the social media channels for the business.
