Using Color in Jewelry Design
by Kylie Jones
Designs often standout because the colors draw people's attention, colors symbolize ideas and feelings. Color is a powerful design tool because colors connect to our emotions and can invoke deep personal responses. So how do you know what colors go with what?
Instructions
My approach is generally a hands on approach I make up color schemes from colors that I like and I try out different stones or beads together and play around with different combinations. I also draw on the color schemes that I really connect with in nature and I'm constantly looking for new combinations in the natural and man-made world. The color wheel and color theory about how colors go together is very interesting and I use this information to analyze what is going on in the color schemes that I already like and sometimes I can use this information to look at what other colors might fit into and expand a color scheme I already have. Many beads and stones already have their own modulations of color and tone and these can be extended into more elaborate color schemes. The color of the metal you are working with and the amount of that metal in your design will also impact on how colors harmonize.
Basic Color Schemes
Color temperature refers to whether a color is perceived as warm or cool. Reds and yellows are described as warm and blues and greens are cool. Violets are warm and purples are cool, yellowy greens are warm but most greens are cool.

Monochromatic color schemes use one color and the variations and contrast come from the range of light and darks of that same color.

Complementary colors are colors that are opposite on the color wheel. These colors go well together or complement each other and often they are also a focal point of contrast in a design. So an example is blue and orange. If the blue is a greenish blue then the opposite orange color will be a reddish orange. If the blue has a touch of purple the orange opposite color will be a more yellow orange.

Analogous color schemes are made up of colors that are similar, so colors that you find next to each other on the color wheel. The colors in these groups generally have less contrast and so give a smoother transition or softer look.
Kylie Jones's Using Color in Jewelry Design - Basic Color Schemes, Wire Jewelry Design, Design, using color in jewelry design
Kylie Jones's Using Color in Jewelry Design - Basic Color Schemes, Wire Jewelry Design, Design, using color in jewelry design
Kylie Jones's Using Color in Jewelry Design - Basic Color Schemes, Wire Jewelry Design, Design, using color in jewelry design

Materials

16 Gauge Turquoise Enameled Aluminum Wire - 100FT
H14-W16-100FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.00
  • Gold Club Price: $6.75
Out of Stock
18 Gauge Fuchsia Enameled Aluminum Wire - 200ft
H14-F18-200FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
Add to Bag
18 Gauge Green Enameled Aluminum Wire - 200ft
H14-H18-200FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
Add to Bag
18 Gauge Peacock Enameled Aluminum Wire - 200ft
H14-U18-200FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.00
  • Gold Club Price: $6.75
Out of Stock
18 Gauge Gold Enameled Aluminum Wire - 200ft
H14-D18-200FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
Out of Stock
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Design