Hues of azure have transfixed us for as long as humans have roamed the earth. Blue captivates our senses and no matter how light or dark, this color always leaves us with a deep contemplation of ourselves, of life, and of the sheer wonder of the natural world.
Color is so prolific in everyday life that we easily take it for granted. Songs have been written about every color of the rainbow and yet, when we feel our lowest, it is the color blue that we identify with most. There is something profound about this shade on the human psyche that cannot be denied.
According the the International Gem Society, sapphires are the most popular gemstones sought after for engagement rings next to diamonds. And when you look at that magnificent ring of Princess Diana’s, it is easy to see the love.
While still in university studies as a psychology major, I had a perception class that explored the effect of color on memory. What had been concluded as the result of an APA (American Psychological Association) study was that color greatly enhances our ability to encode long-term memory as opposed to memory recall of a black and white subject or scene (K. Gegenfurtner, L. Sharpe, F. Wichmann, 2002). While this study didn’t go over specific colors, there is a general consensus that warm colors (red, orange, fushia, yellow) tend to excite and energize us while cool colors (blue, forest green, purple) tend to calm, soothe, and make us introspective.
When designing jewelry, I almost always begin a with a historical time period and then follow with a color. The color is often what builds out the piece.
For myself, the color blue fills my senses with sea and sky. Its effect on me is one of inspiration and creativity that is as vast as the lake outside my home. Blue is endless, transforming, and offers a full ride toward tomorrow. I cannot get enough of it.
Made with 14 karat Gold Vermeil, genuine Aquamarine, and Swarovski Crystal scarabs ~ T. Caldwell – Hereby Crowned
Citations
(2017) Choosing the Best Colored Gemstones for Engagement Rings – https://www.gemsociety.org/article/best-colored-gemstones-engagement-rings/
(2002) K. Gegenfurtner, L. Sharpe, F. Wichmann. The Contributions of Color to Recognition Memory for Natural Scenes. Available from http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xlm-283509.pdf