SurveysDec 02, 2021
2021 Will Be the ‘Year of Jewelry,’ Analyst Says TrendsDec 10, 2021
Here Is Pantone’s New Color of the Year
When the color institute couldn’t find the perfect shade for 2022, it created a new one.
Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is “Very Peri,” a periwinkle blue hue with violet-red undertones.
Carlstadt, N.J.—The Pantone Color Institute has a treasure trove of hues to choose from when selecting its annual Color of the Year.
This year, though, it created a new color from scratch, a first for the company since it began the Color of the Year program in 1999.
The Color of the Year for 2022 is “Very Peri,” a periwinkle blue hue with violet-red undertones.
“Blending the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red, this happiest and warmest of all the blue hues introduces an empowering mix of newness,” said Pantone in a press release about its selection.
Color experts at Pantone pick the Color of the Year, looking to everything from entertainment and films to art collections and travel destinations for inspiration.
“For our team involved in the selection, it’s not an arbitrary decision where we decide the color by gazing at a crystal ball, hoping that inspiration hits. And in fact, it’s quite the contrary,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of Pantone, during a media call Thursday.
“This is a process that goes on all year long and entails thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. It’s a culmination of all the macrolevel trend forecasting and research that our team involved with the Pantone Color Institute conducts year-round that informs the selection.”
The color reflects the innovation and transformation taking place, said Pressman.
“As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication and as a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red-violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lie before us,” she said.
Very Peri evokes confidence and curiosity, said Pantone, bolstering a creative spirit as the new year approaches.
Related stories will be right here …
This year, though, it created a new color from scratch, a first for the company since it began the Color of the Year program in 1999.
The Color of the Year for 2022 is “Very Peri,” a periwinkle blue hue with violet-red undertones.
“Blending the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red, this happiest and warmest of all the blue hues introduces an empowering mix of newness,” said Pantone in a press release about its selection.
Color experts at Pantone pick the Color of the Year, looking to everything from entertainment and films to art collections and travel destinations for inspiration.
“For our team involved in the selection, it’s not an arbitrary decision where we decide the color by gazing at a crystal ball, hoping that inspiration hits. And in fact, it’s quite the contrary,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of Pantone, during a media call Thursday.
“This is a process that goes on all year long and entails thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. It’s a culmination of all the macrolevel trend forecasting and research that our team involved with the Pantone Color Institute conducts year-round that informs the selection.”
The color reflects the innovation and transformation taking place, said Pressman.
“As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication and as a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red-violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lie before us,” she said.
Very Peri evokes confidence and curiosity, said Pantone, bolstering a creative spirit as the new year approaches.
“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family,” said Pantone Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman.
“Encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.”
This Omi Privé platinum ring featuring a 4.81-carat oval-shaped purple sapphire accented by oval Paraíba-type tourmalines and round diamonds, fits Pantone’s Color of the Year.
“Very Peri” evokes “a spritely, joyous attitude,” said Pantone.
Pantone described the color as “a symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through.”
The pandemic has hastened the merging of people’s physical and digital lives, said Pantone, highlighting the rise of the artistic community in the digital space.
The new color showcases the meshing of modern life and how digital trends are coming to fruition in the physical world and vice versa.
Pantone highlighted how its new shade could lend itself to apparel and fashion accessories, noting how the color takes on different looks depending on how it’s applied, the material used, and the finishes and textures of a piece.
To make it official, the color will be added to the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors Color System, which is a widely used color standards system for fashion, textile, home, and interior design.
Branching out into the digital space, the company has teamed up with Microsoft to bring the color to its products, creating custom Teams backgrounds, Windows wallpapers, a new Edge theme, and a PowerPoint template.
Pantone also partnered with Artechhouse NYC, an art space located in a 100-year-old boiler room beneath Chelsea Market, using the space as the official backdrop of its Color of the Year announcement.
The art space will hold an exhibition, open to the public, about the color in 2022.
The company also collaborated with blockchain network Tezos and Paris-based artist Polygon1993 to bring the color to the digital art world.
Polygon1993 will use the color in artwork, available through a collection of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, on the Tezos blockchain.
For more information on the Pantone Color of the Year for 2022, visit Pantone’s website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
