Pantone Purple Reign

Pantone have announced that Ultra Violet has been crowned the 2018 colour and I for one am delighted, because purple is one of my favourite colours!

I possess many clothes and accessories in varying shades; even the walls of my kitchen and orangery are purple. Who knew I was so on trend?!

Amethyst is the best known purple gemstone, but there are plenty of others that present purple variations. Such gemstones include Charoite, Iolite, Garnet, Tanzanite, Rubellite, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline and even Black Opals often display blue and purple tones. In recent years, Rio Tinto discovered some impossibly rare violet Diamonds in Western Australia, formed over one and a half billion years ago and worth millions of pounds today.

My own jewellery box contains a quite a few purple gems. No violet diamonds unfortunately, but I did make an amethyst ring from an old ‘Celtic’ style silver pendant my Mum used to wear; now it’s my turn to wear it in its new incarnation! I’ve also a beautiful antique amethyst and seed pearl brooch passed down my Mum’s side of the family, and lately I’ve been particularly enjoying my purple sapphire & pink sapphire ring.

In the Bowerbird range you will find Amethyst Bud pendants, Amethyst checker earring droppers, Amethyst set Starfish pendants, brooches, and anything else you would like us to make you! At Bowerbird, we’re always keen to hear your wonderful ideas!

My final thought on ‘Ultra Violet’ is a reminder that spring is just around the corner, soon we’ll be enjoying gardens full of purple pansies, violet hyacinths, purple tulips and ‘purple gem’ dahlias, but watch out for the sun’s UV rays and always remember to protect yourself suitably!