For instant impact, try color. Charged with emotion, color can electrify, command attention, create a mood. Tap this potent tool in your marketing, inventory, even store décor to entice and excite, project an image or set a tone.
“Seeing red,” “feeling blue.” Emotions are wrapped in color. Colors enliven these feelings. Hot reds, oranges and yellows electrify, stimulate, energize. Cool blues and greens soothe, calm, refresh. Beiges and grays along with black and white are tone neutral, a perfect background foil for more vibrant targeted pops of color. The neutrals’ classic appeal project timeless elegance rather than trendiness.
Like crystallized pure light, gems project pure color. The intense effect can be mesmerizing. You can fall in love with a gem. Popular blue violet tanzanite projects a fresh, rich power, both exciting and calming. Deep silver grey lustrous Tahitian pearls convey elegance, power and softness for today’s woman.
It’s all about color. Designers work with a full palette not only in gems but in metals. Pearls are everywhere in chocolate, pink and green as well as classic cream and grey. Diamonds sparkle in chocolate, black and elegant champagne. Gold is appearing in green, chocolate and pink. Fun “now” colors include fresh, green prasiolite, pink amethyst and a rainbow of multicolored topaz.
Designers and fashionistas are tuned to color. Nothing has a greater impact. Powerfully single or in combination, it can add a “wow” factor, reflecting the mood of the moment.
“Strong yet understated Iron serves as the ‘new black,’ making traditional basics much more interesting. Neither gray nor brown, Iron is a grounding color that coordinates well with all colors in the palette,” according to Pantone Color Institute, a world council of experts predicting color trends across industries. Their top ten fall ‘09 colors for women also include Rapture Rose, which “artfully captures the vibrancy of fuchsia and the softness of pink,” “Majolica Blue, a deep, mysterious teal blue with more vibrancy than the usual navy,” Burnt Sienna and Warm Olive.
When acting as a color consultant for your clients, make it personal. Ask “What is your birthstone?”, “What is your favorite color?” Suggest alternative “new” gems in their favorite palette range: orange-pink Padparadscha sapphires or blue diamonds. Also consider their lifestyle. The conservative executive’s image is enhanced by timeless neutrals; for the flamboyant artist, they sky’s the limit. Factor in their coloring, including skin tones and hair color (“Aquamarines enhance your blue eyes”), age-appropriateness (more muted over time), even locale (black reigns in NYC, pastels flower in Miami).
What’s Hot Now:
- Black and White. A classic combo currently very strong. Look for surprising, fresh new variations, such as black onyx paired with diamonds.
- Blackened Metals and Gold. Blackened steel paired with high-karat gold is a “now” look that’s both elegant and edgy. Oxidized silver in combination with gold and gems is very “in.”
- Chocolate. Rich, tantalizing, soothing. Chocolates are everywhere: pearls, diamonds, gold. Very hot!
- Surprising Combos. Rings, necklaces and earrings displaying a garden of colors in one piece – pink, green, yellow, violet – abound. Look for unusual pairings such as turquoise and chocolate. Close hues of varying intensity juxtaposed – pinks with rubies, aquamarines with blue sapphires – create an electrifying burst. Explore and have fun! The sky’s the limit.
Mia Katrin is an award-winning, internationally celebrated couture jewelry designer, specializing in one-of-a-kind and limited edition high-end necklaces with precious gems in 18-24 karat gold and platinum. Her Collections, which have been worn by A-List Hollywood celebrities, are featured in many top galleries and stores throughout the country, where she regularly hosts Trunk Shows. Contact Mia via her website, http://jeweljewel.com, e-mail info@jeweljewel.com or call (877) JEWEL-MY.
