The color wheel is a useful tool for artists and designers to visualize how colors relate to each other. Each color on the wheel is assigned a number, which helps identify its place within the spectrum. Silver is a popular metallic color, but where does it fall on the standard 12-part color wheel? Let’s take a closer look at how the color wheel works and where silver fits in.
Understanding the Basics of the Color Wheel
The color wheel is organized into 12 sections, each representing a basic hue. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors, giving us orange, purple, and green. Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. This gives us colors like red-orange, blue-green, etc.
Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the wheel. These color pairs contrast strongly and create vibrancy when used together. Some examples of complementary pairs are red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow.
Color wheels may also indicate temperature with warm colors on one side and cool colors on the other. Warm colors like red, orange and yellow evoke feelings of warmth and energy. Cool colors like blue, green and purple seem more tranquil and relaxed.
Locating Silver’s Position on the Color Wheel
So where does silver fit in? Most color wheels do not specifically designate a separate section for silver. However, it would generally be considered a metallic or neutral color. Other neutrals like white, black, gray and beige are also not given a distinct position on the wheel.
Silver is essentially a very light gray tone with a hint of coolness. If mapped onto the standard color wheel, silver would likely best fit between the grays and blues. It relates most closely to the cool, tranquil hues rather than the bold warm tones.
Some color wheels meant for artists do include a separate section for metallic colors including silver, gold, copper and bronze. On these wheels, the metallic section is usually placed between the warm and cool sides, representing neutrals.
The Color Properties of Silver
To better understand where silver fits in, let’s take a closer look at its specific color properties:
- Hue – Silver has no distinct hue. It is a mixture of grays and whites rather than a spectral color.
- Value – Silver is a light to medium-light tone, generally ranking high in value.
- Saturation – As a neutral metallic, silver has very low color saturation.
- Temperature – Silver leans slightly cool but is fairly neutral in temperature.
With its lack of hue, high value, low saturation and coolness, silver fits best amongst other neutral and cool colors on the standard color wheel.
Using Silver in Color Schemes
Here are some ways silver can be effectively used in color schemes:
- Monochromatic – Add silver accents to monochromatic schemes for a more sophisticated look.
- Analogous – Silver works well with analogous colors like blues, greens and grays.
- Complementary – It pairs nicely with bold warm colors like orange and yellow as a complement.
- Triadic – Use silver as a neutral balance between two hues like purple and green.
- Split Complementary – Combine silver with a color and its two complements, like red, green and silver.
Silver’s metallic shine can enhance and unify a wide range of color combinations. It works particularly well for creating subtle, elegant palettes.
Typical Color Wheel Numbers for Silver
On a 12-part color wheel, silver does not have one designated number. But it would fit best around the following areas:
| 9-11 | Blues |
| 12-1 | Grays |
| 2-4 | Violets/Magentas |
Some color wheels may also place silver directly between the warm and cool sides as a neutral:
| 6 | Silver |
While silver does not have a distinct color wheel number, maps that include metallics and neutrals would place it closest to 6 if separating it out as its own category between warm and cool.
Uses for Silver Depending on Color Wheel Placement
Where silver is mapped on the color wheel can inform how it is used in color combinations:
- Near 9-11 – Use silver to soften and cool down blues for an airy, calm palette.
- Near 12-1 – Pair silver with grays and black for an elegant monochromatic look.
- Near 2-4 – Contrast silver with purples and magentas for an exciting yet refined combination.
- At 6 – Use silver as a neutral balance between warm and cool accent colors.
Placing silver near complementary colors on the wheel creates vivid contrast. Locating it among analogues fosters softer, more soothing palettes.
Silver Metallic vs. Cool Grays on the Color Wheel
How does silver compare to other cool neutral grays on the color wheel? While related, silver and gray have some notable differences:
- Grays have some subtle hue and lower value. Silver has no hue and higher value.
- Silver has a reflective metallic appearance. Grays have a flat matte finish.
- Cool grays feel tranquil. Silver has a sleek, elegant flair.
Both silver and grays fit near the blues on the color wheel. But silver’s metallic shine gives it a higher energy than flat gray hues.
Relationship Between Silver and Gold
Silver and gold are both precious metal neutrals. Here is how they compare in color:
- Gold has a warm, buttery yellow undertone. Silver is cool-toned.
- Silver has a higher value than gold’s medium-dark tone.
- Gold feels richer and warmer. Silver seems cooler and brighter.
These metallic cousins complement each other well due to their contrasting undertones. Gold fits nearer the yellows while silver belongs with the blues and grays.
How Silver Differs from White on the Color Wheel
Silver and white both rank high in value. However, white has no hint of color while silver has some subtle cool-leaning traits:
- White is pure brightness with no hue or saturation. Silver has a faint cool tone.
- White lightens and expands other colors. Silver calms and cools colors down.
- White has the highest possible value. Silver has slightly less brightness.
For these reasons, white fits best near the center of the color wheel, while silver belongs in the blue-gray zones.
Conclusion
In summary, silver is considered a cool-leaning neutral metallic color. On the standard 12-part color wheel, it does not have its own designated number or section. However, silver would logically fit best placed between the grays and blues from 9-4 o’clock. An expanded color wheel for artists might map silver directly between the warm and cool halves at 6 o’clock as its own neutral category. No matter its exact placement, silver fits in with other tranquil, cool-toned hues and works well in combination with complements on both sides of the wheel.
