A colour that will lift us to the higher realms and will assist us in tapping into our imagination is Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018, Ultra Violet. This enigmatic purple is blue-based and is both complex and mysterious. This shade is said to communicate originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. Ultraviolet is dramatic yet at the same time calming.
Purple has a long history of being associated with royalty, the clergy and higher consciousness. Throughout history, purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. Many believe this to be true because the rare occurrence of purple in nature made it one of the most expensive colour dyes to create. There are only a few flowers that naturally occur as purple including iris, lavender and violets. Purple is often associated with luxury and wealth and has often be favoured by royalty for ceremonial garb and public appearances.
The Ancient Greeks believed that purple and therefore, amethyst, had a mind-clearing, sobering effect. It was believed that if one wore an amethyst on one’s person or concealed one orally they could drink all night without suffering the intoxicating effects of wine! The name for amethyst comes from Ancient Greek and means “not intoxicated” or “sober”. The medieval clergy was attracted by this association and Anglican bishops wear an episcopal ring often set with an amethyst, an allusion to the description of the Apostles as "not drunk" at Pentecost in Acts 2:15. In modern times amethyst and purple have been seen as symbolising higher consciousness and is the colour of the seventh or crown chakra. The colour has been favoured by rock stars such as Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix as the contemporary symbolism for purple is ambiguous sexuality, the counter-culture and the “purple-haze” of an altered mind state.
Amethyst was once considered to be one of the most precious gemstones or cardinal gems alongside diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. Deposits of amethyst were rare and it wasn’t until settlers from Idar-Oberstein in the early 19th century discovered large deposits in the Minas Gerais district of Brazil that the purple gemstone became more affordable and amethyst was relegated to the rank of semi-precious. As well as Brazil, some very fine amethyst comes from Uruguay, South Korea and Russia.
So how to wear Ultra Violet in 2018? If you want to make an entrance choose a dramatic dress in Ultra Violet and accessorise with red shoes for a head-turning look. Ultra Violet marries brilliantly with many colours including red, soft greens such as Pantone’s Arcadia, turquoise and soft pinks like Pantone’s Blooming Dahlia. Purple looks great with denim so you can choose an Ultra Violet coloured top if the thought of head-to-toe purple is too much. An Ultra Violet jacket would look stunning thrown over a crisp white shirt and neutral-coloured tailored pants if you want to update your work wardrobe.
When it comes to Ultra Violet coloured jewels, amethyst springs to mind with its stunning purple colour with undertones of blue. As it’s a more affordable gem, you can go for the impact of a statement cocktail ring such as our magnificent Vivaring with an impressive 18.17ct Brazilian amethyst set in 9ct rose gold. For a real colour pop, we’ve contrasted the cool violet of a rounded amethyst cabochon with the electric green of emerald in our Deux ring, also set in 9ct rose gold. If you love silver and the futuristic look you can’t go past our Meteor necklace in sterling silver with five bullet-shaped amethyst cabochons which would add that 70’s rock star touch to your outfit.
It looks like a year of positive change, imagination and elevated consciousness with Ultra Violet inspiring us in 2018.
Image Credit: People.com
