In a message dated 2/21/02 3:33:42 PM EST, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< Hi Avril,

 I recently did a fair amount of online research on royal (Tyrian) purple
 dye, while preparing an article for American Conchologist.
Etc.



 Dear Avril and Paul and all,
  Paul, you had sent me out some web sites for the Tyrian purple. There was a
manuscript about a group in Israel that dyed purple strings to be placed in
prayer shawl tassels.
I wrote to the address and just received this note:

[log in to unmask] (Baruch Sterman)
To: [log in to unmask] ([log in to unmask])

Carole,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We usually dye only strings. It
would be no problem to get you strings dyed with tekhelet. These are dyed
blue with the murex extract, not purple. This is done by exposing the vat to
sunlight for a short period. We use only Murex Trunculus snails (not
Brandaris) and that already starts us closer to blue (Brandaris extract dyes
closer to reddish-purple).

Let me know if you want me to send out some strings.


I have not gotten a price or anything yet, but thought I would let you know
about this.
     Carole Marshall
       Lake Worth, Fl