The label can be the missing part
Someone hands you an older CLASSIC ring and a current wig listing. A number that no longer resembles the listing does not by itself prove the physical ring is useless. Arda’s historical update sheet translates old CLASSIC codes into the newer scheme: its table, for example, maps AR030 to CL003 Crimson. That is an identity problem with a documented reference, rather than an immediate reason to buy another complete ring.
Two translations that must not be combined
That old-to-new code sheet stays within CLASSIC. It is not a promise that an equally named SILKY colour is identical. Arda’s FAQ points separately to sister-colour information and to the CLASSIC code update. When the proposed base changes fibre line, the question becomes which current shade belongs to that line, not simply which new label replaces the old number.
Keep the actual ring’s identity with the comparison. If the project depends on an exact CLASSIC/SILKY relationship and the relevant mapping is unavailable, ask Arda for that specific pair rather than choosing from the similarity of names. A confident-looking handwritten label cannot supply the missing relationship.
When a new physical reference earns its place
Arda describes its colour ring as a way to move beyond monitor-only colour judgements. That remains useful when choosing among actual shades under the conditions that matter to the costume. A new ring is a more sensible candidate when the required fibre line or shades are not represented by the reference already owned. It is a less direct solution when the sole difficulty is decoding an old CLASSIC label. Resolve the identity first; then buy the sample reference that still answers a real colour question.
Sources & further reading
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