Every year the Pantone Color Institute travels the globe looking for color trends in pop culture, film, fashion, cars, cosmetics and housewares. The institute chooses a color that captures the zeitgeist or mood of the times and designate it as color of the year. The 2018 color is Ultra Violet, a dramatic shade of purple.
Already it is everywhere. The Olympic Games featured it in Pyeongchang at the Gangneung Ice Arena, the beautiful purple surround that was ever-present as the athletes competed in figure skating. NBC Olympic host Mike Tirico wore this color in his ensembles, jackets, ties and shirts. Celebrities such as actresses Viola Davis, Reese Witherspoon and Helen Mirren, to name a few, have worn it on the red carpet. Even Queen Elizabeth has worn an Ultra Violet-colored suit.
At Heritage Auctions, we chose Ultra Violet as the color of the cover for our Spring Jewelry Auction catalog.
Pantone describes Ultra Violet as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade. Ultra violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us towards the future.”
Below, I’ve selected my favorite jewels in our Spring Fine Jewelry Auction that match this mood and color. Whether the jewels are Ultra Violet in color or simply complement someone wearing it, there are plenty of options to choose from.
- A Carved Amethyst Flower brooch from Carvin French features the purple color boldly.
- Paloma Picasso Earrings for Tiffany and Company feature Green Tsavorites paired with Purplish Pink Tourmaline.
- Emeralds, like those worn by Viola Davis, look amazing with Ultra Violet. Check out the Emerald, Diamond Earrings that will be available in the spring auction, and imagine them with an Ultra Violet ensemble.
- Alternatively, complement Ultra Violet with turquoise and pink sapphires, an example of which can be found in these lovely Multi-Stone, Diamond, Gold Earrings, featuring turquoise drops enhanced by rubies and diamonds.
- This Color-Change Sapphire, Diamond, Gold Ring, Tiffany & Co. would look amazing with Ultra Violet. In daylight, it is violet, and in incandescent light it turns purple-pink.
- Of course colorless sparkling diamonds work well with any color, including Ultra Violet. This Art Deco Diamond, Platinum, White Gold Bracelet, Marcel Chaumet, French, circa 1928, certainly makes a statement with Ultra Violet, as do these Diamond, Platinum Earrings, like the ones worn by Mirren.
Our Spring Fine Jewelry Auction will be held March 26 in Dallas, but collectors still can preview the lots before the auction:
Full Preview
March 16-18
Heritage Auctions–Beverly Hills
9478 West Olympic Blvd., 1st Floor
Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212
Reception Preview
March 22
Heritage Auctions – Design District Showroom
1518 Slocum Street
Dallas, Texas 75207
Full Preview
March 23-25
Heritage Auctions – Design District Showroom
1518 Slocum Street
Dallas, Texas 75207
Written by: Ruth Thuston Ruth Thuston is Heritage Auctions’ Director of Fine Jewelry in Chicago.