Metallic colors often catch our eyes and have long been associated with wealth and luxury, but their influence goes far beyond material value. While they’re not the first colors to be considered for everyday palettes or traditional designs, they add depth and sophistication to any space or creative project.
What do metallic colors symbolize, and how can they be used effectively in design?
Defining Metallic Colors
“Metallic color” refers to any color that shines like a polished metal. This includes obvious colors like gold, silver, and bronze, but it can also refer to shimmery versions of standard colors, such as pink and green. Since these colors are shiny and reflective, they typically stand out from other hues.
A Look at Their History
While shiny minerals like gold and silver have been around for thousands of years, there wasn’t a means for creating paints and coloring utensils of those colors at first. While people were aware of the shimmery colors on these valuable items, those hues weren’t officially labeled as colors for a while.
Metallic colors came to be in the Middle Ages. Gold was first used as a color name in the year 1300, while silver was first described as a color in 1431. Even though many metallic hues had names back then, there still wasn’t a way for people to create colors with that unique shimmer.
Today, we have many metallic coloring tools, such as paint, colored pencils, and markers. Metallic paint was first invented in the 1930s, specifically for painting vehicles. It’s unclear exactly when colored pencils and markers got metallic options, but they’re much more modern. Now, it’s easy to color pictures with the shimmering accents that resemble metal.
Metallic Symbolism
All metallic colors symbolize wealth, power, prosperity, and success. Their shiny appearance resembles luxurious items like jewelry and gemstones, making metallics commonly used for high-end items. Because metallic colors don’t appear frequently, their uncommonness could lead people to believe they’re valuable.
Does a Metallic Finish Change a Color’s Meaning?
Every color has unique meanings. For example, orange is a stimulating color that symbolizes enthusiasm and emotion, while blue is a relaxing color that represents trust and loyalty. Different tints and shades can alter color meanings slightly, so does making a color shiny also change its meaning? In most cases, metallic colors have the same symbolism as the regular versions of the color, but there are some minor differences in a metallic color’s meaning.
No matter the color, adding that shimmering element to it makes it feel more luxurious and powerful. So, while metallic blue can still be relaxing, its symbolism might be closer to the tranquility you feel during a spa day than the coziness of home. Making a color shimmer is perfect for when you want a design to feel more sophisticated.
The Meanings of Specific Metallic Colors
While any color can have a metallic tint added to it, there are plenty of colors known for being metallic, such as gold, silver, and bronze. These colors might seem plain when only looking at their color codes, but they appear metallic more often than not since they’re named after shimmery minerals. What does each of these shiny colors symbolize individually?
Gold
Gold
Hex #D4AF37
RGB 212, 175, 55
CMYK 0, 17, 74, 17
Since gold is named after the valuable element with a similar shimmery color, this color is viewed as a sign of wealth, prestige, and success, much like metallic colors as a whole. It can provide inspiration, enlightenment, and positive influences. While some say it exudes confidence and optimism, it could be viewed as too flashy and arrogant in some contexts. Due to its luxury, the mineral gold is commonly used in jewelry and other high-end accessories.
Silver
Silver
Hex #C0C0C0
RGB 192, 192, 192
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 25
Silver is still a shimmering color, but it’s a little less in-your-face than gold. It’s used for important items that need an appealing appearance, such as jewelry and silverware. The color silver symbolizes modernism, illumination, and intuition. It can make people feel calm, inspired, and restored. In some cases, it’s a trendy and enlightening hue, but some people perceive it as insincere, especially when used too much.
Bronze
Bronze
Hex #CD7F32
RGB 205, 127, 50
CMYK 0, 38, 76, 20
Bronze is a brown color with a hint of yellow, which is much more appealing when it’s shiny. The material bronze is used for a wide range of items, including machine parts, tools, and instruments. This color symbolizes strength, loyalty, and stability. It can feel soothing, inspiring, and motivating. While some people view it as a comforting and reliable hue, it can sometimes be seen as boastful and cheaper than other metallic colors.
Copper
Copper
Hex #B87333
RGB 184, 115, 51
CMYK 0, 38, 72, 28
Copper is a metallic hue similar to bronze but more orange than yellow. It’s the material most commonly used for electrical equipment such as wires and motors. As a color, copper provides a balance of strength and comfort. It can also indicate security and good fortune. In some cases, it could be perceived as weaker than other metallic colors since the metal copper can tarnish over time.
Brass
Brass
Hex #E1C16E
RGB 225, 193, 110
CMYK 0, 14, 51, 12
Brass is like a lighter version of the color gold. It symbolizes wealth and durability, specifically relating to success and material prosperity. In some cases, it can make people feel youthful and protected. The material brass is known for its corrosion resistance, which is why it’s commonly used on locks, tools, hinges, gears, and instruments.
Platinum
Platinum
Hex #E5E4E2
RGB 229, 228, 226
CMYK 0, 0, 1, 10
Platinum is a grayish-white color that’s based on the rare and dense metal of the same name. The metal is commonly used in expensive jewelry, such as wedding rings. Thus, the color is typically a symbol of rarity, strength, and purity. Like other metallic colors, it also symbolizes elegance, luxury, and sophistication.
How to Master Metallics
Since metallic colors are so unique and eye-catching, using them as much as possible can be tempting. However, as fun as they are, it’s best to incorporate them sparingly in any design, whether decorating your home, creating a painting, or designing a website. They can be overwhelming when used too often or in the wrong places. Below are some tips for making metallic colors look great in a design.
Use Metallics as Accent Colors
To ensure metallic colors don’t overpower a space, use them as accent colors for important text on a sign, focal points of a painting, or luxurious decorations in a room. Having a few patches of metallic accents can give your eyes something to focus on without feeling like you have too much to look at. If everything is metallic, it could hurt your eyes and make you confused as to what you’re looking at.
Pair With Neutral Colors
Balance is important in any design. Since metallic colors can be a lot, neutral colors can balance them out. For example, gray, beige, and white all tend to go well with bright, shimmering colors. By having neutral hues surrounding your metallic accents, it gives your eyes somewhere to rest while you’re taking everything in.
Include Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are those on opposite sides of the color wheel. Using these colors together can really make the accent colors pop. For example, if you’re using a shiny orange, pairing it with blue can make it stand out even more. This works well for creating focal points in a design.
However, common metallic colors like gold and silver don’t appear on the color wheel, so how do you know which colors complement them well? These metallics usually have a vibrant shine, similar to the brightness of yellow or orange, so pairing gold or silver with colors like dark purple or navy blue typically looks aesthetically pleasing. The design includes one bold, shiny color with a dark color that’s very different, leading to a unique and appealing design.
Contrast With Dark Colors for Impact
Similar to complementary colors, dark colors provide great contrast to metallics because shiny colors stand out next to them. As mentioned before, dark purple and dark blue are great choices for backgrounds when using metallic colors. For even more contrast, consider black or dark gray. The darker the background and the shinier the metallic hue, the more the metallic color will pop.
Limit the Number of Metallic Hues
Despite having a similar look to each other, metallic colors typically don’t pair well with other metallics. Using too many different shimmering colors in one space could cause a chaotic appearance, giving you too much to focus on at once. So, it’s best to limit a design to one metallic color (or two at the most) and pair it with simpler colors that don’t shimmer.
Add Luxury and Sophistication With Metallic Shades
It’s no surprise that adding a hint of shimmer to a color makes it more interesting. Metallic hues are beautiful and stand out more than other colors, so many people love using them whenever possible. These colors are often associated with wealth, power, and success, making a design look luxurious and sophisticated. If you love the look of metallic colors, incorporate them in your next design, but remember to use them sparingly and with well-balanced color schemes.
