Blue Gem
General Information about #290E8D
The hex color #290E8D, often referred to as "Blue Gem", is a deep, saturated shade of blue-purple. It belongs to the blue color family, exhibiting a strong influence of purple hues, which contributes to its depth and richness. This color is created by combining a relatively low amount of red and green with a significantly higher amount of blue in the RGB color model. The resulting color is perceived as sophisticated and somewhat mysterious. In color psychology, deep blues like this are often associated with trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and heaven. It is a non-assertive color that can feel both calming and authoritative.
The hex color #290E8D, a deep and saturated blue-purple, presents some accessibility challenges, particularly concerning color contrast. When used as a background, it requires very light text (white or near-white) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability, meeting WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards for Level AA and ideally Level AAA. Smaller text sizes will especially suffer, so a larger font size might be required to improve legibility. Consider avoiding this color for essential interactive elements like links or buttons, unless paired with careful attention to focus indicators and hover states. If using this color for decorative elements, it is less critical, but still, consider its impact on users with visual impairments or color blindness. Proper testing with accessibility tools and real users is essential to validate the usability of designs incorporating this color.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
A slightly lighter shade of blue that offers better contrast against both light and dark text.
A more desaturated blue, which can be easier on the eyes and provide a more neutral background.
A much lighter tint for backgrounds, offering significantly improved accessibility when paired with dark text.
Applications
Web Design Accent
In web design, #290E8D can be used as a striking accent color in a limited fashion to draw attention to key elements. It can create a sense of luxury and exclusivity in branding, particularly in the technology or finance sectors. However, given its dark nature, it's best used sparingly, perhaps in a company's logo, as a highlight color in illustrations, or in graphical elements. It is less suitable for large blocks of text or for interactive user interface elements due to accessibility issues with contrast. When used in user interfaces, contrast must be carefully checked.
Fashion Statement
In fashion, Blue Gem evokes sophistication and mystery. It can be incorporated into evening wear, accessories, or as a bold statement color in outerwear. Due to its intensity, it pairs well with neutral tones like grays, blacks, and creams, allowing the Blue Gem to be the focal point of the ensemble. The richness of the color makes it suitable for luxurious fabrics such as velvet or silk, enhancing its visual impact and perceived value. It can also be used in more casual settings as a statement piece, adding a pop of color to everyday outfits.
Interior Decoration
This rich shade of blue can be employed to create a sense of depth and drama. Because of its boldness, it’s best used as an accent rather than the primary color. Consider using it in velvet throw pillows, abstract paintings or artistic wall hangings. The color also works well as a subtle mood-setter in a home theater to improve the viewing experience. Try implementing it in a room with cool temperature lighting to further enhance the color’s deep, shadowy characteristics.