Happy new year! While many of us resolve to achieve new goals or to make lifestyle changes in the year ahead, sometimes the conclusion of the holiday season can simply provide an excuse to focus on putting the past behind us and embracing a fresh new outlook. Or, maybe you’re just suffering from the winter doldrums, and are looking for ways to bring a bit of sunshine into your days. Need a little inspiration? Incorporate a pretty new color into your home, your wardrobe, your cosmetics, or your accessories.
Each year, the widely acknowledged color authority, Pantone (www.pantone.com), declares a particular color or group of colors to be the “color of the year.” In 2018, the color of the year was a shade of purple, referred to as Ultraviolet. In 2017, it was called Greenery. In 2016 Pantone chose two colors – Rose quartz and Serenity, and in 2015, the color of the year was called Marsala, and on it goes. For twenty years, the Pantone Color Institute has been influencing interior decor and furnishings, fashion, and even industrial design. According to the Pantone web site, the colors of the year are chosen by taking into consideration global trends, color psychology, and factors such as social media influences, popular travel destinations, art, culture and lifestyle trends, and even sporting events that capture global attention.
This year, the Pantone color of the year is called Living Coral. Here is the short description of the color of the year as per the Pantone web site:
“An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”
Pantone offers fabric swatches and color chips to designers who want to incorporate the color of the year, along with coordinating and contrasting shades, for purchase on their web site. They also offer some pretty slick marketing copy that describes not only the color, but the emotions that can be evoked by its use. As an example, here is a snippet from the web site: :Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment. In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of PANTONE Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, PANTONE Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.”
That’s asking an awful lot of a color, but there it is.
As it happens, the color coral, as well as the natural substance coral, makes a lovely embellishment in jewelry, whether used as the primary tone or a vibrant splash of accent color. Coral encompasses a range of shades, from a deep red with an orange undertone to a pastel peach with a tinge of pink. Coral is a cross between pink and orange, or a blend of red and orange. A more vibrant, tropical hue is achieved by mixing a fuchsia with vivid orange, or for a shade that’s more subdued, a combination of soft pink and muted peach creates a color that’s closer to the color of salmon, or the naturally occurring angelskin coral, which is a beautiful quiet color. Coral is one of those nuanced shades that combine two secondary colors, one a blend of red and white, the other, a mix of yellow and red. The variations resulting from the attenuation of tint, hue and saturation make coral one of those colors that can be both stimulating and soothing.
Don’t be confused by the interchangeable use of the word for the color coral and the sea creature coral. Actual living coral, the undersea variety found along the shores of Australia, for example, can be found in a rainbow of colors. White, red, pink, yellow, and blue are among the colors you’ll find growing on reefs all over the underwater world. However, it is important to remember that natural coral is a marine animal, and is subject to some regulation in the United States by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you are using coral in your jewelry, take a moment to read this article by the Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee (jvclegal.org):
Failure to ensure that your products, and those of your suppliers, are compliant with requirements pertaining to the import and use of coral can result in severe penalties. Some material is prohibited altogether, so take the time to educate yourself before purchasing natural coral.
If you do incorporate either the color Living Coral or the natural substance coral into your home furnishings or jewelry designs, you’ll love the vibrant colors and freeform shapes. It’s the 2019 color of the year, so you’ll see it everywhere. It’s a truly beautiful, flattering shade, though, so if you plan to wear it, sparkle on!
Laura
About the author:
Laura Legendary is a speaker, author, and educator specializing in disability awareness, accessibility, advocacy, and assistive technology. She is the owner of Elegant Insights Braille Creations, a handcrafted collection of jewelry and accessories embossed in braille. Go here to shop the boutique.