How to use a Color Wheel
A Color Wheel is a handy tool that can be used to choose gemstone colors
Using a color wheel will allow you to quickly select colored gemstone jewelry that will compliment your outfit.
In a previous article, Winter's Jewelry Color Guide, I discussed the neutral colors and muted jewel-like hues that are being shown in fashion magazines as being the dominant colors for Winter 2006.
As you review your closet and shop for your Winter 2006 wardrobe additions you can also plan what jewelry will compliment your outfits by using a color wheel.
First, let’s discuss primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Red, blue and yellow are primary colors. Violet, orange and green are secondary colors. These colors are a mixture of two primary colors.
.
- red and yellow = orange
- yellow and blue = green
- blue and red = purple
Tertiary colors are a combination of any primary and any secondary color.
.
Complimentary colors are those colors that are opposite each other on a color wheel – for example the complimentary color for red is green. A complete color wheel, available at any arts and crafts store for about $5, will show the complimentary color combination for the primary colors and many secondary and tertiary colors.
.
It is visually very striking to pair complimentary colors. The key to pairing complimentary colors is to make sure that one complimentary color is dominate. For example, a red dress paired with an emerald or green jade necklace is attractive. Whereas a red top teamed with a green skirt, unless you are an elf, is unsightly.
.
A color wheel will also match up other color relationships so you can easily and quickly select gemstone jewelry to enhance your outfit.
.
A striking color combination can also be created by using diad colors. Diad colors are those colors that are two colors apart on the color wheel.
.
For example, check out the earring shown on this page. The larger of the two stones is opaque apple green chrysoprase - it is perfectly balanced by the translucent bluish/purple iolite. These two colored gemstones are two colors apart on the color wheel - diad colors. This combination of gemstones will make a perfect jewelry accessory for any of this winter's muted greens, blues or browns.
.
Missing from the color wheel are all neutral colors: black, white and brown. If you think about it these three colors can be combined with any of the colors on the color wheel for a harmonious look.
.
Invest in a color wheel – it will save you time and perhaps costly mistakes when selecting the right colored gemstone jewelry to complete that special look.
The copyright of the article How to use a Color Wheel in Jewelry is owned by Maire Loughran. Permission to republish How to use a Color Wheel must be granted by the author in writing.
