•• n e u t r a l l i g h t
Neutral light colors include white, beige, tan, light gray and light metal colors of
silver and white bronze. Pure white is the combination of all visible light (graphical displays) and
the absence of pigment. (What looks white to us is the reflection of all wavelengths, without pigment to
preferentially absorb different wavebands.) Browns and grays result from mixing complementary
colors; blue and yellow make green, then green mixed with small amounts of red creates brown. The warmth
or coolness of the brown depends on the warmth or coolness of the red. Likewise, mixing red and blue
makes purple, then purple mixed with small amounts of yellow creates gray. The lighter hues of these colors
are shown here; darker hues are listed under neutral dark.
Gemstones in this color group include rainbow moonstone, crystal quartz and other silicates not containing
iron and/or magnesium (referred to as light silicates). Limestone and marble may be either light or dark
in color.
Swarovski crystal colors of "silver shade", "greige", "black diamond"
and "light colorado topaz" fall in this group, as well
as "crystal", naturally.
Pearls are naturally white or cream, and bleaching is a common treatment to improve uniformity. Light colored
woods like beech, maple, cherry and most Asian hardwoods are included here, and darker woods like
walnut, mahoghany, bayong, rosewood and boxwood are found under neutral dark.
•• d e s i g n s f e a t u r i n g n e u t r a l l i g h t