COLOR-CODED JEWELRY...by Sybil Adelman Sage

Jewelry has been given with the hope of saving a troubled relationship and it may now be used to save lives in hospitals with standardized, color-coded wristbands perhaps being introduced that will identify a patient's condition. Purple, the color of amethyst, will mean "do not resuscitate," with red (or ruby) indicating allergies, yellow (amber) for one at risk of falling and green to signal "no blood transfusions."

Problems could arise for patients sporting their own colored, silicone wristbands as yellow-banded, Lance Armstrong fans might find themselves strapped into beds with railings to prevent falls while someone with a red, Steven Colbert wristband could be presumed to have allergies and be put in a peanut-free environment.

The colored bracelet system would be a useful time-saver at parties, cutting back on all the getting acquainted chit chat. A purple bracelet would work for those wanting to announce, "I prefer my own kind," while red says, "Stay back, I have anger-management issues," yellow for the self-admitted coward and green for Whole Food, pesticide-free, vegans.