Author: Cherie, Contributing Editor

About the color wheel The color wheel is an area, divided into segments with each segment assigned a color. The colors are in a certain placement on the color wheel. The colors on a color wheel begin with primary red, yellow, and blue. The combination of the primary colors creates the secondary colors orange, green and violet. These six colors can be combined even further to create tertiary colors: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, and blue-violet.

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There are many different color theories used by artists, designers and even scientists (ever want to be a chromatician?). This is a simple model that can be used in a practical way when designing jewelry. Once you understand the color wheel, you will be confident when choosing colors for your jewelry, lampwork beads, or even when accessorizing at the start of each day.

Shades of color There are hues, shades, tints and tones of color. A hue is a pure color. “Pure” is a relative term here. Basically, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet are “pure” colors. That is, they have not been modified with white or black. Shades are darker versions of a color. Colors become shades when black is added, for example, “navy blue” is a shade. A tint is a lighter version of a color. Hues become tints when white is added, for example, “sky blue” is a tint. Jewelry designers also work with metallics, like copper, silver or gold, and iridescents, like the colors found in dichroic glass. These are not really colors, per say, but variations on a color. They are color combinations that show more luminosity than other colors.

About basic color schemes Using this color wheel, artists can choose individual colors or different color combinations. There are four fundamental color schemes which are frequently applied in design: monochromatic, complementary, analogous and split-complementary. Any of these schemes have been proven to be harmonious combinations – some provide more contrast and excitement, some are subtle and quiet.

Monochromatic color schemes use a single hue, such as red. Various shades and tints of red can be used, but the entire piece would use nothing but red.

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