The Pantone Color Institute has unveiled its 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse (17-1230), a “warming rich brown hue” inspired by the delectable tones of cacao, chocolate, and coffee. Described as a bridge between the modern world and timeless natural beauty, Mocha Mousse is Pantone’s first-ever brown selection in the 25-year history of the Color of the Year program.
A Rich Palette for Jewelers
While jewelers may initially struggle to connect this earthy tone with their collections, industry experts see plenty of opportunities:
- Amy Elliott, a JCK contributing editor, suggests Mocha Mousse’s luxurious warmth could inspire a shift in jewelry packaging and displays, offering a “rich, velvety” backdrop for high-end pieces.
- Jennifer Heebner, editor-in-chief of Prism, the AGTA publication, envisions the hue in natural brown zircons, champagne and cognac diamonds, Tahitian pearls, and smoky quartz. “It mirrors the decadent tones of chocolate,” she notes.
- Katey Walker, owner of Katey Walker Fine Jewelry, describes the shade as “an elevated modern neutral,” aligning beautifully with hessonite garnet, matrix opal, and topaz jewelry.
A Shift in Trends Toward Quiet Luxury
Mocha Mousse represents a departure from past Color of the Year picks, such as 2024’s “gentle” Peach Fuzz or 2023’s “pulsating” Viva Magenta. The tone signals a possible move away from vibrant neon gemstones to softer, grayer, and muddier shades. Elliott points out, “Instead of fuchsia pink, you get a pink closer to rosewood—a classic, understated luxury.”
A Cultural Barometer
According to Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, the selection reflects societal aspirations. “People are searching for harmony and balance, and Mocha Mousse speaks to those desires in the language of color.”
However, not everyone agrees with this assessment. Vanessa Friedman, a New York Times style reporter, remarked that the world is far from harmonious in 2024. Yet, she acknowledges that the aspirational message behind the color may resonate in its subtlety and sense of shared comfort—just like a mousse meant to be enjoyed together.
Jewelry’s New Neutral
As a darker, grounding color, Mocha Mousse could redefine how jewelers and designers incorporate neutrals into their creations. With its ties to nature and understated elegance, this shade could inspire designs that prioritize timeless beauty over fleeting trends.