The Year of Purple

The Year of Purple of Purple BY DOUG MITCHELL & LALITA CHEMELLO

Pantone’s ‘Very Peri’ is for the courageous who encourage inventiveness and creativity

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of PANTONE 173938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family, encompassing the qualities of the blue, yet at the same time with its violet-red undertone, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions.”

- Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

The transition from 2021 to 2022 brings forth strong emotions in all of us. Pantone Color of the Year ‘Veri Peri’ showcases these emotions in a way that words cannot. This year’s color is a soft, gentle blue-purple that brings comfort and beauty together as one. As Pantone puts it, “displaying carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives.[...] Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.”

Here are a selection of gems we can’t wait to showcase alongside Veri Peri in this brand new year

IOLITE

The name Iolite stems from the Greek word for violet, “ios.” This gem-quality mineral formed from cordierite is typically found in shades of purple and grey, originally known as the “twocolor rock.” Typically, cuts are determined on these stones by what color cutters want the stone to show.

AMETHYST

Amethyst is actually a variety of quartz, of the violet color. The amethyst was actually quite popular, especially with ancient Greeks and Romans on to the Middle Ages, for its believed ability to give the wearer a clear head or prevent intoxication. It was even a favorite stone of Leonardo Da Vinci, who claimed it helped aid in intelligence and ridding one of evil thoughts.

TANZANITE

Originally known as ‘zoisite,’ the gem was renamed by Tiffany & Co in 1967 in honor of Tanzania, where it was originally discovered. The trick to this stone is the cut, which jewelers can use to demonstrate different hues from the stone. In this case, it can show a violet-like blue to blue-violet.

ALEXANDRITE

Alexandrite comes off as a chameleon by nature, thanks to its somewhat color-changing properties. The stone’s original discovery in Russia, was thought to be emeralds, but would later discover the gem could change from a green to red-ish hue. In its homeland of Russia, it is believed to bring luck, good fortune and love.

PURPLE SAPPHIRE

This royal-hued gem lends itself from the Corundum mineral family and is known for looking similar to the Amethyst. Also known as the ‘Violet Sapphire’ or ‘Plum Sapphire,’ it’s one of the harder, tougher gems on this list physically, but also astrologically where it favors those with good fortune.

Doug Mitchell

Diamond Doug is Owner/Artist at UniQ Jewelry Gallery. More info: uniqjewelry.com.