Pantone, the authority on color who has inspired design professionals for 50 years with their color expertise, has announced the 2014 color of the year is : Radiant Orchid.  This beautiful shade across the color wheel from the 2013 color of the year, Emerald, is said to intrigue, spark imagination, and encourage creativity. Great, they picked a color, but what does that mean to you, and why is Pantone so important anyway?  I'm sure these thoughts have crossed many a mind.

Pantone's founder, Lawrence Herbert, created this innovative system for identifying and matching color.  Ever get in a simple dispute about a shade of color?  It's blue, no - it's green! It is possible that the spectrum of colors is seen and interpreted differently from each individual, so with Pantone's book of colors you no longer have to argue or work to make the perfect match!  Many colors also have their own beautiful names to match their gorgeous shades - like Radiant Orchid.

Pantone also is an important tool for trend forecasting for all design markets.  You will be seeing Radiant Orchid spanning advertising campaigns, cosmetics, fashion, home accessories, and (our favorite) jewelry!  Radiant Orchid lends itself well for the amethyst, sapphire, spinel, and sometimes tourmaline gemstones set in gold or beautiful rose gold accented with bright white diamond accents.

Color is important, even if you never though about it before.  Color is about being on trend, setting the mood, and closing the sale.  Good thing for the amethyst, which is February's birthstone, it could possibly make prices rise due to the popularity of color and increase the demand for the stone.  See how that works?  Color is important.