Pantone’s fall colors, released earlier this year following the fashion weeks in February, take a “unilateral approach to color and trend toward gender neutrality,” it said at the time.
In February, Pantone released the 10 colors it thought would be prevalent in fashion and design this fall.
The list, which included six new hues, is dominated by warm red and pink tones, but also features some bold, strong green and blue hues and solid neutrals.
The colors that Pantone predicts will be hot don’t always translate well to colored stones, and often have a much stronger influence in clothing and accessories.
So, rather than trying to match the colors to gemstones exactly, which can be tricky with some of the more out-there shades, I thought it might make more sense to pair them with complementary colored stones, creating a look that coordinates clothing or accessories in Pantone’s fall colors with the shades that can be found in colored gemstones.
Spicy Mustard. This is a very specific hue of yellow, one that I don’t imagine many people wear, but it adds a nice bold look to the fall palette.
What about matching the yellow shade to another warm tone, like a bright tangerine? Gems like spessartite garnet are a perfect fit for this.
This mandarin garnet marquise twist ring from Goshwara’s “G-One” collection features diamond accents and is made in 18-karat yellow gold ($16,000).
Jane Taylor Jewelry’s “Rosebud” bar ring with mandarin garnet baguettes in 14-karat yellow gold ($2,630)
Potter’s Clay. The warm, almost-burnt-orange tone of this color seems like it’s verging on the edge of a neutral, and rather than getting crazy with a super colorful stone to bring it out, I think this would pair better with more neutrals, like something in the taupe family.
Grab a jewel with a great smoky quartz or smoky topaz at center and you’re good to go.
Alexis Kletjian’s bespoke ring features a 3.42-carat brown zircon at center, cut by Jean-Noel Soni of Top Notch Faceting, accented with brown diamonds and set in 20-karat rose gold ($12,000).
Rina Limor’s 18-karat rose gold ring features a pear-shaped smoky topaz with diamonds ($3,600).
Aurora Red. There is something about a vibrant red/vibrant pink match-up that I love. Celebrities have done it on the red carpet, and with the right pieces it creates an extremely interesting visual.
Now, I know that you probably have to be a pretty brave dresser to put on two colors like this, but having one in your jewelry could make it a little more understated.
This is Erica Courtney’s 18-karat yellow gold “Duchess” ring featuring a 4.31-carat pink spinel, accented with pink sapphires and diamonds ($27,200).
Omi Prive’s rhodolite and spessartite garnet ring in 18-karat rose gold ($12,800)
Dusty Cedar. Pantone referred to this one as a dustier rose-toned pink with some complexity that gives a nod to one of the Colors of the Year for 2016, Rose Quartz.
It’s “dustier” quality gives it a little more of an icy, gray hue to me, so I wanted to pull that out with some silvery gray tones, like those in gray moonstone, hematite or some pearls.
Lagos’ hematite tassel lariat necklace in sterling silver and 18-karat gold from the Caviar Icon collection ($850)
Sydney Lynch’s “Tide Pool” cuff featuring 18-karat gold and oxidized silver with dyed black pearls ($880)
Bodacious. Colors in the same family, when done right, can look really cool together as well.
and purples are what I have in mind when I say this, so I’m pairing this vivid, vibrant violet color with a light pink, like those found in rose quartz, certain morganite stones, tourmaline and more.
Carelle’s “After Dark” pink tourmaline and diamond ring made in 18-karat rose gold ($12,890)
Suzy Landa’s 18-karat beaded cluster earnings with diamond center and morganite pear shapes hanging below ($2,420)
Airy Blue. Probably my favorite color in the palette (because of its resemblance to Carolina Blue), this shade is light, refreshing and beautiful.
When pairing it with colors, I chose to go with black and white jewels to leave the blue to be a subtle pop of color and create a clean look.
Gabriel & Co.’s 18-karat white gold Allure necklace features a smooth, oblong black onyx overlaid with a pattern of white gold and diamonds ($4,465).
This 18-karat gold and sterling silver bracelet from Meghna Jewels’ Claw collection features white and black diamonds ($4,400).
Riverside. A dark blue, like the one found in this Pantone shade, is so versatile and can mix with so many different colors.
I love the way a vibrant, rich green looks with it, like the shades found in tsavorite garnet, some green tourmalines or emeralds.
Buddha Mama’s 20-karat gold “Tara” pendant features more than 195 carats total of tumbled emerald beads, brown diamond pave beads and a diamond flower clasp ($150,000).
These drop earrings from Vivaan boast tanzanite, serpentine and yellow and white diamonds set in 18-karat gold ($10,125).
Lush Meadow. This is also one of my favorite colors in the palette, but I suspect it might be the same for many people. There’s something so pleasing to the eye and calming about a rich green shade.
To keep it cool and lush, I like the idea of pairing it with some black jewels, such as black spinel--that underrated, beautifully priced gem--black diamonds, or longtime jewelry classic onyx.
Syna’s medium-sized Mogul drop pendant features a black spinel weighing more than 50 carats with diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold ($2,450 for pendant only; 30-inch 18-karat yellow gold chain sold separately, $1,650).
These are Todd Reed’s palladium stud earrings with black rose-cut diamonds and white brilliant cut diamond accents ($8,580).
Warm Taupe. Taupe is such a soft, neutral color, and it goes great with a lot of different pastels.
Something about this swatch made me think of a crisp pencil skirt, blazer or pants, and I immediately thought it would pair so well with the luminescent shades of a nice pearl.
Yoko London’s bangle features an 11 to 12 mm freshwater pearl and diamonds set in 18-karat gold ($1,800).
Sharkskin. I don’t know what it is about a gray and pink combination, but it’s always a good option. It’s a subtle, clean mix.
Again, I’m going to pair this shade with the soft hues of light pink stones like rose quartz, pink sapphires or tourmaline.
Meredith Marks’ “Jacklyn” studs feature pink sapphires, diamonds and rhodium over sterling silver ($785)
Stuller’s gold-plated sterling silver, rose quartz and diamond ring ($414)
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.
