Evoke Happiness and Fortitude in Your Beaded Jewelry with Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.” —Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating are the 2021 Colors of the Year. We think they couldn’t be more fitting for a year in which a lot of us experienced the need for patience and perseverance. But we were rewarded with optimism and hope. We asked a few of our contributors to create pieces of beaded jewelry with the Pantone Colors of the Year and these themes in mind.

Here Be Daggers!

We love Leslie Pope’s play on gray and yellow with this silver-and-gold treasure of a necklace. Made of diamond-shaped beads and daggers, the name gives the piece a lighthearted pirate-y feel that I adore. Three layers of GemDuo beads cascade down to the swingy and blingy dagger beads that are oh-so-fun to play with. This collar-style necklace is an all-around joy to bead and wear.

Chrysanthemum Cuff

Inspired by the chrysanthemum bloom, this layered cuff bracelet adds a dramatic statement to any outfit. It starts with a simple peyote band. Then embellish it with packed-together rows of Ginko beads, crystal pearl rounds, and seed beads to create this show-stopping piece of beaded jewelry. I love the soft gray and light yellow colors in this piece; together they make a very soothing color palette.

Galaxy Pendant

We featured these gorgeous pendants on the cover of the Summer 2021 issue of Beadwork. Create this out-of-this-world pendant in Ultimate Gray and Illuminating using seed beads, crystals, and pearls. The materials and palette give the appearance of fine jewelry without the expense. The light gray and silver beads stand back and let the gorgeous ultra citrine AB Swarovski crystal 27mm fancy stone take center stage.

Creating Beaded Jewelry with Pantone’s Palette

Pantone’s Color of the Year always gives me a bit of introspection. It seems to poetically sum up the way the world feels for me at that given point in time. I hope you feel energized by warmth and cheer, and that you find a firm and dependable foundation to stand on while we continue to navigate through uncertain and trying times. We think creating beaded jewelry will help you in your journey.

Meredith Steele
Technical Editor, Beadwork