Quote Originally Posted by Caitlin
I am absolutely clueless to what a violet wand is.
They just look so cool and scary. Sort of long, but here's a synopsis of what one is. We have a little TENS, but I think I'd like this better.

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Technical:

Ordinary household electricity is a low frequency alternating current (120 Volts, 60 Hz in the USA) and is extremely hazardous to come in contact with! The Violet Wand "transforms" the household current by means of what is called a Tesla coil. At the "business" end of the wand is a detachable glass tube filled with Argon gas. When Argon is is excited by a high voltage, it glows with a purple color, hence the name Violet Wand. I have heard of other gasses being used and glowing with different colors. These tubes come in different sizes and shapes... more about attachments later. It also makes a nice evil buzzzzzzzz.

The reason the electricity from the Violet Wand is relatively safe is due to two major items.

Because the electricity is going through the glass attachment there is not a direct connection from the sub to your wall outlet. This is a good thing!! We want the eyes to be wide... not popped out of their sockets!
Because the high voltage produced by the wand is at a high frequency, a phenomenon occurs that is called the "skin effect". Without going into the details, basicaly what happens is that as the frequency of an AC voltage increases, the depth to which that the electricity penetrates a conductor (whether copper wire or human) diminishes. This helps to keep the electricity from the Violet Wand away from internal organs, etc. where electricity just doesn't belong.
Attachments:

Violet Wand attachments come in various shapes and sizes. I have seen glass attachments in the shape of a mushroom (probably the most common attachment), a comb (or rake) shape, a "Y" shape, etc. There is also a metal tube attachment. (see note under SAFETY Considerations).

Using the Wand (or how not to!)

Common sense prevails here. Remember too much of anything can be a bad thing! The sparks from a Violet Wand can be applied most anywhere on the body although one should make a point of avoiding the head and eyes. Experimentation is in order! Remember though, the glass tubes are made out of fairly thin glass... do NOT insert them into any body cavities!!! Should you need to clean your attachments just wipe them off with a damp rag, the glass is not dishwater safe (I broke a mushroom just under hot tap water!)

Avoid too much exposure in one spot at any time. The Wand produces sparks that irritate the skin and the glowing tubes also produce Ultraviolet light. You can produce a localized sunburn!! I remember watching someone play with a Violet Wand once and the next day the women he used it on had redness and blistering on their chests that lasted for least a week.

The Violet Wand produces real sparks! Some clothing is very flamable! Alcohol vapors (you shouldn't be drinking and playing!) could ignite. (btw some clothing may have metalic threads... zap one spot and it goes all over! Don't leave it turned on and laying down unattended.

Some Doms use the mushroom attachment and hold the Wand between their legs and with one hand grasping the mushroom attachment. They then trace patterns on their sub with the fingers of their other hand..quite erotic!!