PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR

Pantone Inc. is a corporation headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, best known for its
Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space used in a variety of industries,
primarily printing, though sometimes in the manufacturing of colored paint, fabric, and plastics.
The idea behind the PMS is to allow designers to color match specific colors when a design
enters production stage, regardless of the equipment used to produce the color. This system has
been widely adopted by graphic designers and reproduction and printing houses.
PMS is largely a standardized color reproduction system. By standardizing the colors, different
manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors
match without direct contact with one another. PMS also allows for many special colors to be
produced, such as metallics and fluorescents. Pantone colors are described by their allocated
number. They are almost always used in branding and have even found their way into
government legislation and military standards (to describe the colors of flags and seals). It has
also been used in an art project which applies Pantone to the human skin color spectrum.
COLOR OF THE YEAR
It is a symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that
serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.

Pantone declares Color of the Year annually. Twice a year the company hosts, in a European
capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations color standards groups. After
two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year. The results of
the meeting are published in Pantone View, which fashion designers, florists, and many other
consumer-oriented companies purchase to help guide their designs and planning for future
products.
2015: Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala (PANTONE 18-1438) its name, this
tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown
roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul,
exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its
embracing warmth. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to
fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.
Color Pairings: Whether in a flat or textured material, or with a matte or gloss finish, this highly
varietal shade combines dramatically with neutrals, including warmer taupes and grays. Because
of its burnished undertones, sultry Marsala is highly compatible with amber, umber and golden
yellows, greens in both turquoise and teal, and blues in the more vibrant range.
2016: As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses,
welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are
becoming more prominent. For the first time, the blending of two shades Rose Quartz
(PANTONE 13-1520) and Serenity (PANTONE 15-3919) are chosen as the PANTONE Color of
the Year.
Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.
Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of
respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.
Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer
embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a
soothing sense of order and peace.
Color Pairings: Appealing in all finishes, matte, metallic and glossy, the engaging combo joins
easily with other mid-tones including greens and purples, rich browns, and all shades of yellow
and pink. Silver or hot bright shades can be added for more splash and sparkle.
Gemstones in the color family of Rose Quartz:
Rose Quartz gemstone is the rosy pink variety of Quartz. Its color is usually soft, ranging from
very light pink to medium pink in intensity. It is often hazy or turbid, which makes it lack good
transparency. The relative abundance of Rose Quartz, and its frequent lack of full transparency,
diminish its importance as a pink gemstone in relation to other pink gemstones such as and
Topaz, Tourmaline, and Kunzite. Rose quartz is very rarely found as macroscopic single crystal.
The most common form is the emi-transparent or opaque Rose quartz, whereas the clear,

transparent specimens are extremely rare. Notable occurrences are in the USA, Madagascar,
South Africa, Brazil and India.
Kunzite is the pale pink to light-violet gem-quality variety of the pyroxene mineral spodumene,
a lithium aluminum inosilicate. Although it was first discovered in the USA, most of the current
supply of kunzite is found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even though kunzite has relatively good
hardness, an attractive luster and excellent transparency, it is still mostly unknown to many
gemstone buyers. It is perfectly suitable for all kinds of jewelry design, including rings,
bracelets, pendants, pins and brooches. Kunzite gems of over 10 carats are quite common, and
pieces weighing over 20 carats are often seen. Gems weighing over 40 carats may be seen
occasionally. Unlike sapphire or ruby, the price per carat for kunzite tends to remain fairly
constant as the stones get larger.
Prices of kunzite gemstones depend on color, clarity, cut and size. Most kunzite is light-pink to
lavender, but more saturated pinks are sometimes found and can command high prices. Since
kunzite tends to have very good clarity, clean specimens do not usually carry a higher price.
Large, well-cut pieces can definitely be more expensive, but, per carat price of kunzite tends to
increase slowly with size when compared with sapphire or ruby.
Morganite mainly comes from deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan and California.
When determining the quality of a morganite, the color is the most important criterion. Note that
this gemstone should be selected in as large a size as possible, for it is only above a certain size
that the beauty of its color really comes into its own.
Rhodochrosite is one of the prettiest and desirable of all minerals. Its deep red and hot pink
crystals are extremely sought after and good crystals command extremely high prices. Especially
desirable are the beautiful intensely colored rhombohedrons from the Sweet Home Mine in
Colorado. South Africa and Peru also produce intense red transparent scalenohedrons that are
extremely desirable to collectors and very highly priced. These Rhodochrosite specimens are
considered by many to be the most beautiful of all minerals. A very interesting occurrence of this
mineral is in Argentina.
Precious Topaz also known as Imperial Topaz is yellow, pink or pink-orange variety of Topaz.
It is less common than other types of naturally occurring topaz, which makes it more valuable.
Commercially mined imperial topaz comes from Ouro Preto in Brazil. There are also deposits in
the Urals of Russia.
Spinel comes in a variety of colors, but the most commercially important are Red and Pink
Spinel. Pink Spinel is relatively rare stone that comes from Burma, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. It is
often mistaken for pink sapphire, but costs a lot less despite greater rarity. Pink Spinel is too rare
and expensive to be considered for high-volume use.
Gemstones in the color family of Serenity:
Blue Topaz mainly comes from Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and China. It is very rare in nature but
can be made by irradiating and then heating pale or clear topaz. Natural blue topaz is very light

in color and irradiation produces blue topazes of darker hues. Varieties of blue include: Sky Blue
Topaz, London Blue Topaz and Swiss Blue Topaz. Blue Topaz is often confused with
aquamarine.
While selecting topaz, it is better to examine it under the different light sources.
Blue topaz gives radiant colors in daylight or fluorescent light.
Aquamarine: From the light blue of the sky to the deep blue of the sea, aquamarines shine over
an extraordinarily beautiful range of mainly light blue colors. Aquamarine is related to emerald,
however, its color is usually more even than that of the emerald. Aquamarine has good hardness
and a wonderful shine. It is almost entirely free of inclusions. Iron gives aquamarine its color that
ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the color of
an aquamarine, the more value is put on it. The leading producer of aquamarine is Brazil. Other
deposits are sourced from Australia, Burma, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique,
Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as in several U.S. locations.
Blue Spinel: The colors of blue spinel range from blue-gray to violet-blue, greenish-blue and
cobalt blue. The lighter tones tend to display more brilliance and fire. The Luc Yen district of
Vietnam has become a major source of top-quality blue spinel. Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Burma,
Pakistan are other sources where blue spinels are mined.
Blue Zircon: Blue is the most popular zircon color followed by honey, red and white. Color
ranges from blue to vivid blue, pastel blue, sky blue and bright blue. Blue crystals are found in
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Iolite is also known as dichroite as it exhibits pleochroism. It can vary in color from sapphire
blue to violet-like blue and from light-blue to yellowish-gray. The most desirable color is an
intense violet-blue. Iolite can sometimes be mistaken for sapphire and tanzanite, but it is softer
than sapphire, and harder than tanzanite. Iolite deposits are found in India. Other sources include
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Burma, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the U.S.
Lapis Lazuli is an opaque, deep blue semi-precious stone, with golden inclusion of pyrites that
has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. Lapis Lazuli can be easily confused with
other blue opaque gems such as Azurite and sodalite, but azurite has a lower hardness and is
typically darker in color than Lapis Lazuli, while sodalite in most cases, has a lighter color and
its granularity is not as fine as that of Lapis Lazuli. Afghanistan is known to produce the first
quality Lapis Lazuli and is also the most significant source. Other commercial deposits have
been also found in Angola, Argentina and Canada, Chile, India, Italy, Burma, Pakistan, Russia
and the U.S. The finest stones exhibit an evenly distributed color and have no visible deposits of
calcite, although a moderate amount of gold pyrite flecks is considered acceptable. An evenly
distributed, highly saturated, slightly violet-blue color with little or no pyrite/calcite is the most
prized.
Turquoise is a sky-blue or green translucent to opaque basic aluminum phosphate that contains
copper. It is identified by its distinctive sky blue (most popular), blue-green or apple-green color

and waxy to matt luster. The best quality turquoise is located in north east Iran. It is also found in
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and the U.S.
Blue Chalcedony originating in California and Nevada are a slight to moderate grayish blue
color, ranging from a light to medium color intensity. Blue Chalcedony from Namibia ranges
from grayish to nearly pure blue and from light to medium dark. The most valuable Blue
Chalcedony is sourced from Oregon, USA. Its blue color is slightly modified by traces of pink,
resulting in a noticeably lavender gemstone called as Holly Blue.
Tanzanite ranges from ultramarine to sapphire blue in color. It can also appear blue-violet. Its
orthorhombic crystal system can also help to distinguish it from some similar gemstones, such as
amethyst. Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania, East Africa. It has higher color saturation in
gemstones of over 5 carats. It can be mistaken for amethyst, iolite, sapphire and spinel.
Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary in size-to
weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller than diamond by weight in
comparison.