Purple is a color that has long been associated with royalty, wealth, and power. It’s a bold, rich color that commands attention. While there are many shades of purple, a deep, intensely vibrant purple often goes by a specific name – purple pizzazz.
What is Purple Pizzazz?
Purple pizzazz refers to a very deep, vivid reddish purple color. It’s much darker and more blue-based than a standard purple. The hint of red gives it a jewel-toned quality.
Specifically, purple pizzazz is the name of a Crayola crayon color first formulated in 1990. However, the term is now more broadly used to describe any shade that matches the original Crayola color – a highly saturated reddish purple.
Purple pizzazz sits between blue-violet and red-violet on the color wheel. It combines strong undertones of both red and blue to produce a striking, electric purple hue.
What are the Hex, RGB, and CMYK Codes for Purple Pizzazz?
Here are the precise color codes that define the purple pizzazz shade:
- HEX: #E63898
- RGB: 230, 56, 152
- CMYK: 0, 76, 34, 10
These color codes allow purple pizzazz to be recreated accurately in digital design programs, web sites, print materials, and more. The hex code is the most widely used code to specify colors on the web.
What are Similar Colors and Shades?
There are a few other shades that live in the same color neighborhood as purple pizzazz:
- Royal purple
- Byzantium
- Tyrian purple
- Han purple
- Mardi Gras
These shades all have a strong blue base mixed with a healthy dose of red. They sit on the line between pink and purple.
Slightly lighter tints of purple pizzazz include electric purple and bright magenta. Darker tones include wild orchid and magenta haze.
What Colors Go Well with Purple Pizzazz?
Purple pizzazz is a bold, eye-catching color, so it’s important to choose accent colors carefully. Here are some of the best color pairings:
- White: Provides contrast and brightens up purple pizzazz
- Black: Creates a dramatic, elegant look
- Greens: Olives, emeralds, and forest greens complement the purple
- Blues: Choose cool shades like cerulean, cobalt, or sapphire
- Grays: Soften the brightness of the purple with charcoal or silver
Stay away from pairing purple pizzazz with warm, clashing shades like orange, yellow, or red. Stick with cooler blue and green undertones.
How is Purple Pizzazz Used?
This vivid reddish purple finds many uses:
- Logos and branding: Provides a bold, eye-catching pop of color
- Website design: Commands attention on call-to-action buttons
- Packaging: Makes products stand out on store shelves
- Apparel: An alternative to classic royal purple in apparel lines
- Interior design: Adds energy as an accent wall or furniture piece
In branding, purple pizzazz is youthful and fun. It provides a modern, vibrant alternative to darker eggplant purple tones.
History and Cultural Associations
Deep purples like purple pizzazz have long been linked to luxury and prestige. In antiquity, Tyrian purple dye could only be afforded by the exceptionally wealthy. The rarity and expense of the dye, made from sea snails, is what made purple garments so desirable among royal families.
Purple dyes were also notably used in Japanese art and décor during the Edo period. Meanwhile, electric purple shades became popular in the 1980s and maintain an association with that neon-pop decade.
Purple is culturally significant in many world religions as well. It is symbolic of wisdom, mysticism, and spiritual awakening in Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism alike. The cool shade is often used for Advent and Lent vestments.
In color psychology, purple is said to promote creativity and individuality. While lighter purples are more romantic and nostalgic, bold purples like purple pizzazz evoke modernity, youth, and flair.
Purple Pizzazz vs. Other Purple Varieties
Not all purples are the same! Here’s how purple pizzazz compares to some other variations of the color:
Purple Pizzazz vs. Lilac
Lilac is a much lighter, desaturated shade of purple, more of a pastel. It contains more white and pink undertones compared to the bolder, richer purple pizzazz.
Purple Pizzazz vs. Orchid
Orchid is also lighter and softer than purple pizzazz. It’s a medium purple with strong pink undertones.
Purple Pizzazz vs. Amethyst
Amethyst is similar in depth to purple pizzazz but has more red-violet as opposed to blue-violet. It’s on the spectrum between purple and pink.
Purple Pizzazz vs. Plum
Plum sits between purple and red-violet, whereas purple pizzazz leans closer to a true purple. Plum also has more gray undertones than the vivid purple pizzazz.
Purple Pizzazz vs. Grape
Grape is a red-toned purple that can sometimes even cross into pink territory. It’s much less blue/magenta-based than bold purple pizzazz.
Conclusion
With its highly saturated, jewel-toned hue, purple pizzazz stands out as a lively modern take on classic royal purple. It combines strong red and blue undertones to create an electric, vivid shade.
This deep reddish purple color works well in youthful, contemporary designs. It has a playful flair that commands attention. Next time you need a bold accent color, turn to lively purple pizzazz.
