In a first-of-its-kind German study in 2012, the colour green indicated that it could boost creativity and spark imagination of individuals. The participants of the study who were shown green prior to the task of writing down as many uses of a tin can as possible in two minutes provided more creative ideas than those who saw white. Now isn’t this a fascinating observation? When it comes to the best colour for study room, you can add a splash of green to the walls and get your creative juices flowing!

Did you know that colour can have an effect on your performance? Researchers at the University of Rochester and the University of Munich observed that when students were shown the colour red before taking a test, it affected their performance. Since red ink is traditionally used for marking errors on school papers, the colour is associated with mistakes and failures in academics. In their experiments, even seeing a flash of red made students do poorly on a test. The researchers concluded that colour can affect people even without their knowledge. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Sardonyx

The gemstones that you are looking at are called Sardonyx. An August birthstone, these stones exhibit bands of brownish red to brown to dark orange with typically white or black layers of onyx. During the ancient times, Sardonyx was considered a popular stone in the Roman empire for Roman seals and signet rings as hot wax would not stick to it. It is believed to be one of the stones in the High Priest’s breastplate, as referred to in the Old Testament, representing the strength of spiritual life. Roman soldiers wore Sardonyx rings with the image of Mars etched on them to protect themselves in battles. The gemstone is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication. It is also believed to bring stability to relationships.

Spinel

The mesmerising gemstone that you are looking at is called Spinel. Often mistaken for either a Ruby or Pink Sapphire, its octahedral crystal structure and single refraction are what sets it apart from other gemstones. Several deposits of this gemstone have been found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. Spinel birthstones can be found in various cuts such as rounds, ovals, pears, cushions, octagons, trillions as well as squares. It is believed that this gemstone has properties that help improve the wearer’s health.

Sulphur Butterfly

The beautiful creature that you are looking at is the Sulphur Butterfly, often known as the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly. It is a large yellow butterfly found throughout most of the mainland United States. It is most common in the United States and as far north as Canada.

The average wingspan of this butterfly is about 2-3 inches. The males are solid yellow while the females are yellow with a black border on their wings and a dark spot at the centre of each forewing. If you are wondering how to bring nature into your home, you can add a shade of yellow to your walls inspired by this beautiful butterfly. You can explore Berger’s Colour Catalogue for various shades of yellow.

Alstroemeria

These beautiful flowers captured by the lens of a photographer grow on a plant called Alstroemeria. It is also referred to as the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas. As you can see from the photograph, the centre three petals on these beautiful blooms feature streaks and speckles that are reminiscent of whiskers. This South American native has made itself into a commodity for the flower markets and has steadily worked its way into home gardens. The good news for plant lovers is that it is easy to grow and can be seen blooming generously for several years.