The color ivory is often described as a light yellowish-white or off-white shade. But is ivory more accurately characterized as a beige or a cream color? This is a question that has sparked some debate, as the precise hue of ivory can be subjective. In this article, we’ll examine the origins of the color ivory, how it is defined, and whether experts categorize it as a type of beige or cream. Read on to learn more about the undertones and technical classifications of this neutral color.
The Origins of the Color Ivory
The name “ivory” comes from the material of the same name which is derived from the tusks and teeth of animals. Ivory has historically been harvested mainly from the tusks of elephants. In ancient times, ivory was highly prized and used for fine decorative objects. The whitish-yellow color was unique and considered very beautiful.
Over time, the word “ivory” became associated with the off-white color of this material even when used to describe objects not actually made from ivory. Anything having a creamy off-white hue came to be called ivory. So while the origins of the word tie back to elephant tusks, ivory as a color is no longer limited to or dependent on the material.
How Ivory is Defined
When examining official color terms and definitions, ivory is generally classified in the off-white color family. Its hue is described as a pale yellow or yellowish-white. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ivory as “the hard creamy-white dentine that constitutes the main part of the tusks of elephants and walruses” and also as “a creamy off-white color.”
More specifically, in color theory ivory is considered a neutral, desaturated shade. It lacks the vibrancy and intensity of pure white. Compared to bright white, ivory appears softer and warmer due to its faint yellowish cast. While ivory lacks strong cool or warm undertones, it does lean slightly toward the warmer end of the neutral color spectrum.
Ivory vs. Beige
So is ivory a type of beige color, or does it stand alone as its own distinct shade? Authoritative sources differ a bit on where exactly ivory fits in.
Beige is a light brown color that also has warm, yellowish undertones. However, beige typically has more brown in it compared to ivory. Ivory is lighter and cooler. Beige also shows more saturation – it is less muted than the pale, subtle ivory.
Some color classifications put ivory under the beige umbrella. But others distinguish it as its own unique neutral shade separate from beige. Ivory generally has less brown pigment than lighter beige tones and more brightness than darker beiges.
When comparing swatches side-by-side, ivory and beige are noticeably different despite some overlapping characteristics. Ivory reads as softer and more subtle against the often stronger brown undertones of beige.
| Ivory | Beige |
|---|---|
| Paler and cooler | Darker and warmer |
| Very subtly warm | Stronger yellow/brown undertones |
| Nearly white | Light brown |
| Muted and soft | More saturated |
So while ivory and beige sit next to one another on the color wheel, ivory is better described as an off-white rather than a light brown. It sits between white and beige but differs from both.
Ivory vs. Cream
Like beige, cream is another light neutral color that shares some similarities with ivory. Cream has warm undertones from yellow and/or peach pigments. But is ivory a type of cream shade or something distinct?
Cream is generally considered a pale, milky white color. It can vary from an off-white with warm undertones to a slightly darker, richer color. Ivory is typically lighter, brighter, and cooler than cream. While ivory also contains a warm yellowish tint, it lacks the richer, milky quality of cream.
When directly compared, ivory looks nearly white while cream appears more faded and transparent. Ivory avoids the more saturated peach and yellow tones that define shades of cream. The two sit near each other on the color wheel but ivory maintains subtlety and softness that contrasts with the dense creaminess of, well, cream.
| Ivory | Cream |
|---|---|
| More white | More yellow/peach |
| Lighter and brighter | Richer, more saturated |
| Pure undertones | Warmer, milkier |
| Cooler | More faded |
Technical Color Classifications
Authoritative color classification systems can also lend some insights into how ivory fits into the color spectrum.
In the Pantone Matching System, Ivory is a separate, distinct shade given the number 1015 TPX. It sits in the neutrals family but is darker and more saturated than the Pantone-designated white shades.
The Natural Color System (NCS) places Ivory in the S 0500-Y20R bracket. This means it has a blackness or lightness level of 5% and saturation level of 20%. NCS categorizes it with other pale, muted yellowish neutrals distinct from brighter whites.
The ISCC-NBS color system gives Ivory the descriptor of Y30 which means it has a dominant wavelength of 580-584 nm and 30% purity between pure white and pure yellow. This positions Ivory near white on the spectrum with only subtle warm, yellow traces.
So across main color standards, Ivory is classified as an off-white or near white with only faint warm undertones and very low saturation. It is considered more white than yellow and separate from cream and beige shades.
Ivory in Design and Decor
Within interior design and decor, ivory is a popular neutral wall color and fabric choice. It provides subtle warmth while still reflecting light to keep spaces bright and airy. Ivory paint, rug, and upholstery hues blend seamlessly across periods like traditional, country, and modern farmhouse.
Ivory is commonly used in bathrooms, living rooms, and bedrooms as an alternative to stark white. Its versatility works with palettes from bold black and navy to soft peach and mint green. Ivory upholstered headboards and linens lend a timeless tailored hotel aesthetic.
In fashion and apparel, ivory is ubiquitous for formalwear. Ivory lace and silks are a staple for wedding dresses, evening gowns, and dressy separates. Its softer alternative to bright white flatters most skin tones. Ivory tops and blazers have a sophisticated look year-round.
Whatever the use, ivory straddles white and cream for a soft but light neutral hue. It provides versatility between the starkness of white and richness of cream and beige. Ivory works anywhere an understated, neutral backdrop is desired.
Conclusion
While sources may disagree on the technical boundaries between off-white colors, the balance of evidence points to ivory being in a class of its own. It shares some similarities with neighboring shades of beige and cream but has defining characteristics:
– Ivory is an exceptionally light, pale neutral but slightly warmer than stark white
– It lacks the stronger brown undertones that distinguish varying beige tones, despite some overlap
– Ivory avoids the richer, milkier qualities of cream colors
Ivory stakes out a space between white, beige, and cream. It is best defined as an off-white or near white with only the faintest yellowish tinge. Ivory provides a soft, subtle backdrop while avoiding the density of darker creams or beiges. So while it lives nearby to these other colors, ivory stands uniquely on its own in the palette of neutral shades.
