Regina's Writings: The Color of 2010

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Color of 2010 - TURQUOISE

This posting is being written with family and friends in mind, including clients of Sundancegems and fellow bloggers, who live between W. Virginia and Maine, and are dealing with what the weathermen (and women) are referring to as the 'Blizzard of 2009'. As you look out the window let your mind wander to tropical shores, sultry breezes and swaying palms to warm your heart and body.

I was first introduced to Margie Deeb's work by Pearl in her posting about the Fall/Winter 2009 Color Report. ( www.beadinggem.com/2009/10/review-2009-fallwinter-color-report-for.html ). Margie Deeb specializes in color for bead artists. Her book The Beader's Color Palette has received many rave reviews and was voted the Best How-to Craft Book of 2009 ( http://colorforbeadartists.com ). I must confess I have not read the book, but I have just added it to my wish list. Visiting Margie's website this morning, I learnt the the 2010 Color of the Year is Turquoise. This color was chosen by Pantone ( http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx ) a world-renowned authority on color. According to their website they inspire design professionals with products, services and the latest in technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. The Turquoise color they have chosen is not the familiar blue, but the blue-green. They tell us that the color was chosen, because it invokes "inspiring thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being".

Turquoise is one of my favorite gemstones, and nothing compares with natural genuine Turquoise. The key to purchasing genuine Turquoise is to deal with venders that you know and trust. I always sacrifice a bead from a strand of Turquoise I have purchased to break/cut in it to determine if it is really the real thing and not dyed. So many gemstones, such as Howlite and Magnesite are colored to resemble and even sell as Turquoise, and it is not easy to visually tell them apart. Currently I have three items displayed for sale in my shop that feature beautiful tropical Turquoise. You can learn more about these pieces by visiting Sundancegems at Ruby Lane www.sundancegems.rubylane.com .