Pantone’s Color of the Year is a ‘Fearless’ Red Hue with Plenty of Gemstone Comps

By Jennifer Heebner, Editor in Chief

The Pantone Color of 2023 is coming up roses for gem and jewelry lovers.

Trend forecasting agency Pantone recently unveiled its annual Color of the Year, a “brave and fearless” shade of red called PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta.

PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta Pantone Color of the Year 2023

PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta Pantone Color of 2023

The hue’s “exuberance promotes optimism and joy” and is an “empowering” shade of an “animated red that encourages experimentation and self-expression without restraint,” according to Pantone. Further, the agency calls the color “witty” and “a nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool” as well as “assertive but not aggressive.” That’s a lot of characteristics to read into a color, but in true Pantone style, it’s here for it.

“Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director, Pantone Color Institute. “PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.”

Admirable traits and pretty factor aside, gemstone and jewelry lovers are likely fixated on the rosy color for its similarities to Garnets, Sapphires, Spinel, and rubellite Tourmaline.

PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta Pantone Color of the Year 2023

Meanwhile, Pantone worked with an artificial intelligence tool to develop a hero visual that serves as “a bold and brave statement that amplifies the fearless yet natural elements of PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta” and “incorporating the messages and ideas embodied by the color to curate an immersive world called the Magentaverse that examines the connections between nature and technology.”

In real life, gemstone dealers and jewelry designers see a spectrum of Viva Magenta jewels on the horizon for 2023. Below, eight weigh in on what the color says to them and which pieces in inventory offer that cheery cherry-red hue.

 

“Not only is the color saturation of this rhodolite Garnet deep and rich, but what I love most is that I purchased this stone from Anza/Moyo Gems. By purchasing this necklace, you are helping to change the status quo for artisanal women miners in East Africa.” Karin Jamieson, Karin Jamieson Jewelry

Karin Jamieson Jewelry Rhodolite Garnet necklace
Necklace in 14K yellow gold with a 3.5 ct. rhodolite Garnet from the Vitalis Mine in Tanzania is on an adjustable 16–18-inch chain, $1,575; Karin Jamieson Jewelry

 

“These bright and intense earrings are simple yet stunning! Talk about hitting the nail on the head, these magenta gemstones are a perfect match for Pantone’s Color of the Year.” Craig Underwood, Underwoods Jewelers

Tourmaline and diamond earrings by Underwood Jewelers
Earrings in 14K white gold with raspberry-color Tourmaline (1.02 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.30 ctw.), $1,595; Underwoods Jewelers

 

“The color of my earrings definitely coordinate beautifully with the Pantone color Viva Magenta! While a little darker in shade, my beautiful magenta pink Garnets and enamel pay homage to this color.” Martha Seely, Martha Seely Design

Earrings with rhodolite Garnet and enamel from Martha Seely Design
APUS Dusk earrings in 18K yellow gold with African-origin pink rhodolite Garnets (4.96 ctw.) and enamel are 1.6 inches long and 0.75 inches wide, $2,040; Martha Seely Design

 

“This Sapphire IS Viva Magenta and a cool, modern cut!” Monty Olsen, Prijems

Pink Sapphire from Prijems
Shield-shape 1.06 ct. pink Sapphire is from Mozambique and has a GIA certificate, $2,760; Prijems

 

“We think this piece coordinates beautifully with the Pantone color of the year because the saturated, natural bright pink Tourmaline in these pieces match so nicely with the Viva Magenta shade of pink.” Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Jewelry

Gaia pendant necklace with pink Tourmaline by Belle Brooke Jewelry
Gaia Petal Ring pendant necklace in matte-finish sterling silver with 18K yellow gold with a 7.045 ct. Brazilian pink Tourmaline and G-color, VS-clarity Diamonds (0.18 ctw.), $3,300; Belle Brooke Jewelry

 

“This exquisite pink Sapphire color is so amazingly intense and will coordinate well with the Pantone color of 2023 Viva Magenta.” Jarilyn Lim, Jarilyn Jewelry

Pink Sapphire and Diamond ring by Jarilyn Jewelry
Ring is 18K white gold with a 3.30 ct. pink Sapphire from Sri Lanka and Diamonds (0.74 ctw.), $9,800; Jarilyn Jewelry

 

“When I was young and most little girls declared pink as their favorite color, I very proudly stated that mine was magenta! It was much more beautiful, I thought, and magenta just sounded more important than pink. Magenta remains one of my very favorite colors.” Suzy Landa, Suzy Landa Jewelry

Rubellite and Diamond ring by Suzy Landa
Ring in 18K gold with a 14.46 ct. rubellite Tourmaline and Diamonds (0.31 ctw.), $26,600; Suzy Landa Jewelry

 

“These ear clips have bicolor Tourmalines in shades of a neutral taupe to brown and pink to magenta. I find the two color families together to be wonderful as the taupe family is a toned-down counterpoint. The Fijian pearls add tremendously to the neutrality.” Peggy Grosz, Assael

Tourmaline, Pearl, and Sapphire earrings by Assael
Clip-back/optional post earrings in 18K rose gold feature 8 9.3–11.3 mm Fijian natural color cultured Pearls that articulate on the lobe, 2 bicolor Tourmalines (18.17 ctw.), and pink Sapphires (nearly 2 ctw.), $39,000; Assael

 

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