h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Does Purple include Ultra-Violet, or does that open a new ?

MMF

Purple doesn't even include violet, never mind ultraviolet.

So we can't add gentian violet?

No.

For those of you not subscribed to Peer Review, I'll just point out that the Purple entry is now in Peer Review at:

F48874?thread=6535738

Then this may be of interest instead:

http://www.britainsorchids.fieldguide.co.uk/?PP=species_account&SPID=50&SHC=2&PSD=1


Read the bit about the smell

Ooops.. perhaps I should have put that in there!

Your entry will be stronger if you resist. Include them if we understand purple better by reading them.

I may have to remove amethysts in that case, despite the very interesting fact about 'amethyst' meaning 'not drunk'.

Isn't there a 'language of gemstones' which might shed some light on what a purple stone means?

Unfortunately, websites about the "language of gemstones" have statements about the magical powers of gemstones (for healing, soothing etc), which force me to ignore them.

http://www.jewelrycentral.com/Gemstones.asp

not sure if any good

I can understand that, but I was thinking more in terms of the jewellery profession than new-age mystics. I'll see if I can find something.

The amethyst link on that page looks interesting, Prof...

I found this little snippet, if it's of any use:

'Moses said that the amethysts gemstone is a symbol of the Spirit of God and the gemstone was often used in the official robes of the High Priest of the Jews. The Greek word for Amethysts means not intoxicated and the popular belief is that the gemstone offers protection against drunkenness. It is also said to protect crops against tempest and locusts, bring good fortune in war, inspire the intellect and if worn around the neck on a cord made from dogs hair it would protect against snakebite.'

Yes, but which breed of dog needs to provide the hair, Lil?

'hair of the dog'? Connection?

one that don't bite when you cut its hair