By Jennifer Heebner, Editor in Chief
While some of us are scratching our heads as to what Leatrice Eisman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, and friends were thinking when they chose PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz as the 2024 Color of the Year, it behooves us to remember that there are two major wars happening now and this color choice aims to soothe.
“Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others,” Eisman told the media. “It’s a velvety, gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul. In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.”
That all sounds nice, Leatrice, but in the colored gemstone and jewelry world, this shade is a tougher sell than your past picks. Think last year’s Viva Magenta, which translated to Mahenge Spinel and many other vibrant purpley-pink gems. In 2020, Classic Blue was interpreted directly into blue Sapphires and Lapis Lazuli, and 2013’s Emerald was pure Emerald perfection. Peach Fuzz is probably a better color for gemstones than 2015’s Marsala, that dull red (ick), or 2021’s Illuminating and Ultimate Grey, which brought to mind gray Spinel or Tourmalinated Quartz (and not much more), so dealers and designers will make the best of this peachy pick, showcasing it in Coral, Morganite, Padparadscha Sapphires, and any other similar-hued gem that comes to mind.
Fortunately, many AGTA members see a lovely pastel lining in this color choice.
“Peach Fuzz brings memories of late summer as fall was just beginning to show her colors,” says Shelly Sergent, Curator, Somewhere In The Rainbow. “Sliced peaches with cinnamon sugar sprinkled over shortcake and baked in the oven, finished with a dollop of whipped cream.”
In gemstones, she’s seeing peachy Morganite or Lotus Garnets as ideal options.
AGTA board President Kim Collins, owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, is seeing Peach Fuzz as a nod to the 1980s and a decadent color dive for designers.
“Peach fuzz has all the ’80s vibes … I say bring on the Padparadscha Sapphires,” Collins exclaims. “Luckily, there is some super cool production out there right now with all the peach shades. In addition to Pads, there are lots of fun, clean peachy shades of Tourmaline from Madagascar and Congo, Imperial Topaz has all the peach tones, and of course, Morganite fits right into this category as well as some Spinel shades. Even some muted hues of Garnet, like orange-leaning Malaya Garnet, could work. Peach shades also work well with a lot of other pastels that have been popular, like the minty greens, lilacs, and lavenders as well as muted blues. This will be a fun shade for the designers to dive into!”
More AGTA dealers weigh in below.
“I think this is such a refreshing color choice that evokes a sense of warmth and a feeling of joyfulness.”
Aria Thomas, Owner, Eleux Jewelry
“The Imperial Topaz Entourage ring delivers a warm hue which complements Peach Fuzz perfectly.”
Tom Heyman, Co-President, Oscar Heyman
“Angel skin Coral comes in colors from pale blush to salmon … certainly including ‘Peach Fuzz.’ We like blues and greens in gemstones as well as lavender. The plus is the neutral, or ‘nude,’ factor with fair skin and the contrast with dark skin. It’s the medium complexions that are trickier with this color.”
Peggy Grosz, Senior Vice President and Creative Director, Assael
“On the heels of Barbie Pink, we welcome another warm and happy hue for 2024! This refreshingly light peach is perfectly represented by many colored gemstones including Padparadscha Sapphire, Morganite, peach Garnet, and Tourmaline. This is a great color to pair with complementary warm hues or create a bold contrast with greens, blues or grays, as seen in this pink Tourmaline pendant accented with Rainbow Moonstone and Diamonds.”
Natalie Rodrigues, Director of Marketing, Omi Privé
“This is 1970s to 1980s vintage, natural angel skin Coral of Pacific origin. Each stone is approximately 3.45 carats, $160 each keystone. These are part of a very special limited collection of vintage Coral that I have been working with and will be bringing to Tucson. The angel skin Coral embodies the Pantone Peach Fuzz color with its subtle, sweet brightness. The various shades of angel skin and also salmon Coral pair beautifully with Turquoise, another stone we’ll be featuring in a big way this coming Tucson show.”
Helen and Richard Shull, Owners, Out of Our Mines
“I love the Pantone ‘Peach Fuzz’ color’s happy vibrant hue and look forward to seeing it incorporated in fashion and jewelry next year.”
David Nassi, President, 100% Natural
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