In article ,
Ecnerwal wrote:

I guess that's in the eye of the beholder - The brown purpleheart I have
got is a perfectly attractive brown, not unlike black walnut (though a
lot harder to work with). The only thing "wrong" with it is that if one
was really set on it being purple, well, it's not, anymore. But it's not
ugly, in my opinion.

It's not a particularly oily wood (hard, abrasive, brittle, but not
oily), any usual finish should work.

If you keep the chess set out of the sun, the purple should last longer.

My wife has a heart shaped box made from purpleheart - has had it for
more than 15 years - I have some inkling some unlucky suitor may have
given it to her. Anyway, it's not a Crayola purple (if it ever was) but
does have a distinct purple tone to the brown. Not unattractive at all.

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Tips fer Turnin': Place a sign, easily seen as you switch on your lathe, warning you to remove any and all rings from your fingers. Called degloving, extended hardware can grab your ring and rip it off your finger. A pic for the strong of stomach: www.itim.nsw.gov.au/go/objectid/2A3AC703-1321-1C29-70B067DC88E16BFC/index.cfm

Besides, rings can easily mar the surface of a turning as you check for finished smoothness.