In a nutshell “Color Analysis is the process of determining the colors that best suit an individual’s natural coloring.” (Wikipedia). Seasonal color theory was inspired by the German Colorist Johannes Itten and popularized in the 1980′s in the book “Color Me Beautiful” by Carole Jackson. She concluded that skin, hair and eyes have either blue or golden tones and divided individuals into four seasons. This is a useful tool (note, tool, not rule!) in selecting what colors we look best dressed in. It is also very helpful in jewelry selection to decide what color of gemstone and metal tone work best for us.
Winters have a cool skin tone with a blue or rosy/pink undertone. Their hair is dark, pepper and salt or gray. Their eyes are dark – either blue, brown, hazel or green. Their colors are intense and include the primary colors, jewel tones and black and white. The precious gemstones such as Blue Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby are natural choices for jewelry as well as Black Onyx, deep purple Amethyst, Moonstone and dark, luscious Tahitian pearls.
Springs have a warm skin tone with a golden undertone. They are usually natural golden blonds, auburn or strawberry redheads. Their eyes are clear light blue, blue gray or light turquoise green. They wear warm colors well like camel, peach, golden yellow, bright greens, aquas and citrus colors. Obvious gemstone selections would be Aqua Chalcedony, Blue Topaz, creamy Pearls and the bright citrus burst of Peridot and Citrines.
Summers have a cool skin with blue or pink undertones. Hair is often natural ash blond, gray or brunette with ash undertones. Their eyes are pale – usually blue gray or blue green. They look best in soft muted colors like powder blue, dusty pink, mauve and lavender. The soft green of Prasiolite, the pink shades of Rose Quartz or Rhodonite or Lavender Amethyst would make for good jewelry choices.
Fall complexions have golden skin tones. Hair is auburn, red, copper, dark golden brown or brunette with gold or red cast. Their eyes are dark golden brown, green or hazel. Their best colors are earthy, rich golden and spicy warm shades such as camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, brown or brick. Both Olive Quartz and the rich brown of Smokey Quartz would be very flattering as would the blood red glow of Rhodolite Garnet.
Of course, the sparkle of white diamonds works with any color palette – hint, hint, guys!
Silver and white gold jewelry work best with the cool skin tones and the blue-based colors of Winters and Summers. Yellow gold is most complimentary to the warm skin tones and yellow-based shades of Spring and Fall. This could pose a potential dilemma as the metals of choice for today are definitely silver or white gold. Plus, some of us still enjoy wearing some of our yellow gold pieces. That’s why two tone jewelry, either bi-gold or sterling with yellow gold accents, provides such an amicable solution to our problems! And in any case, as I said before these are tools, not rules….
