This article is about the queer realm of unique colours, commencing with the letter, “C.”

1. Cadmium

Cadmium is strictly not a colour but a mineral. When used in oil painting Cadmium is a colour in the warm range – yellow, orange or red. Cadmium is popular as a colour favoured by oil paint suppliers bringing rich warmth to the canvas.  Cadmium can be used to brighten a room whilst supplying warmth. Very similar to buttercup or saffron.

Creative Uses

• Cushions – adding a splash on neutral sofas
• Curtains
• Clothing

Cadmium is a warm yellow – Image Author

2. Cardinal

Cardinal is a fabulous warm reddish magenta-brown. A very masculine colour, Cardinal is favoured in menswear. Cardinal plumage found in nature is inspiration for this rich hue. Cardinal is ideal  for adding a richness to your home. It would be ideal for heavy curtains, upholstery and warm coats. A strong, rich colour statement that is Stanford University’s official tone.

Creative Uses

• Menswear
• Rugs and curtains
• Enriching your interior

Cardinal Plumage Inspires the Colour – Image Credit

3. Celadon

A beautiful jade green is this colour.  Wedgwood crockery favours this matte-green which matches, surprisingly, with white. Celadon would make a statement in summer, so fresh and cool is this beautiful colour. Celadon is similar to jade without the shine. It is the neutral feel of Celadon that makes it so appealing. A favourite of the Ming Empress.

Creative Uses

Vases

Oriental objects in a room

Crockery.

Celadon – a greeish colour favoured by potters – Image Credit

4. Cinnabar

Attributed to blue and green Cinnabar is actually a rich red similar to Cardinal. Cinnabar is best displayed in Chinese jewelery with a shiny-red tone. Cinnabar would be ideal for fixtures of a room; vases, oriental chests and curtains. Cinnabar is oriental, rich and warm – delicious. Also a delightful lip gloss. Kissable.

Creative Uses

Make-up – especially lips

Oriental objects like chests

Small oriental objects.

5. Citrine

A golden green is this beauty. It could be green or gold or both! It invokes brightness whichever way Citrine is displayed. A favourite gemstone colour shining when the stone is cut. Reminiscent of Amber – it catches the light in a greenish way. As a jewellery colour Citrine would match the eyes of a green-eyed beauty. Flawless.

Creative Uses

Jewellery for those with green eyes and fair skin

Small objects in a room placed to catch light

Gemstone collections.

Lemon Citrine Stone before carving – Image Credit

6. Cornsilk

A light, matte-bright yellow. Cornsilk is for those wishing to colourise their already neutral lifestyles. It would brighten up a room, add space and bring in the sunshine. Cornsilk is soft, non-threatening and feel good sort of colour you would find ideal for enlarging a poky room. Cornsilk is light and neutral reminding you of an eternal summer.

Creative Uses

Walls – to open up a small room

Summer apparel

Moving from neutrals to colours – safely.

Real Cornsilk inspires a light yellow colour starting with, “C.” Image Credit

7. Cyan

No self respecting computer nerd can ignore this blue beauty. Cyan is the prime locus of the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Blac(K) – CMYK – schemata. Cyan is one of the three colours that blend with Magenta and Yellow producing blue, green and black and it is ideal for your printer’s inkwell. Cyan was not really well known until the computer age. Strictly Cyan is a blue-green colour.

Creative Uses

Computer design and printers

Neutral accessories for the blue eyed

Sun rooms near the sea.

Cyan – an overnight success due to computers – Image Credit

I hope you have enjoyed this unique look at curious colours starting with, “C.” Have fun.