Monday

Jewelry fashion: Colors for Spring and Summer 2009

Every September, the top fashion designers flaunt their latest creations in New York and London during Fashion Week. This annual event purports to be the definitive source of what’s “in” for the upcoming year in fashion. A company called Pantone attends the event to talk with the top designers and then issues a report naming the top 10 colors found in the most prominent designer collections. This list of colors becomes “The List”, and is used as a tool to set the color standard for the rest of the fashion industry.

The list for 2009 placed an emphasis on blue, as four different shades were among the chosen elite. Fashion conscious individuals can highlight, emphasize or contrast their wardrobe with gemstone jewelry.

Palace Blue: Three-Stone Tanzanite and Diamond Ring

Palace Blue was a designer favorite with its shimmer and navy undertone. Defined as a sky blue with a navy understructure, the color blends well with almost any pink, yellow, lavender or green. Tanzanite jewelry is a close representative of the color. Lighter Aquamarine jewelry also blends well with the shade.

Lavender, a softer lilac, is romantic, feminine and mystical. Amethyst gemstones provide a nice, complementary jewelry to the color.

Lavender: Roberta Z Rose de France Amethyst, Tourmaline & Diamond Ring

Rose Dust: Honora Baroque Peach Pearl Earrings

Rose Dust, is a pale pink-blue or white-lavender. The color is very cool and is a pleasant neutral tone. The color is found in naturally occurring and in synthetic pearls.

Slate Gray: Slane & Slane Small Fenestra Pendant

Slate Gray is a cool neutral tone and is a great background color for the other hues in Pantone’s list. Sterling silver bracelets or gray pearl jewelry are great accents.

Two red hues made the top ten:

Fuchsia Red: Created Pink Sapphire and Diamond Checkerboard Ring

Fuchsia Red, a vivid, strong color, is very eye-catching. The color is found in both created and naturally occuring pink sapphires.

Salmon Rose: Opal Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Ring

Salmon Rose, a mix of soft pink and orange, is a warm color and very flattering to most complexions. Pink tourmaline has a similar shade.

Three green hues were also listed:

Vibrant Green: Jade Drop Earrings

Vibrant Green is a moss green color, bright but not harsh. Some jade jewelry can be found in a close match to color.

Dark Citron: Roberta Z Olive Quartz, Peridot and Diamond Ring

Dark Citron is a calm, almost olive color that blends well with yellow. The olive tone occurs in olive quartz and peridot.

Lucite Green: Roberta Z Green Amethyst, Lime Quartz & Diamond Ring

Lucite Green is a clean, soft green with a slight luster. Light green amethyst can sometimes enhance the color.

Super Lemon: Citrine and Diamond Ring

The final member of Pantone’s 2009 list is Super Lemon, defined as a fun, optimistic color that grabs attention. Yellow diamond, amber, and citrine jewelry are the best representives of the yellow color. All stones are darker in shade, but enhance super lemon fashion well. Glass beads are another option for a closer match in color.