The 11 Basic Colours: Spellbound by black

In 1969, researchers Berlin and Kay published a study examining the development of colour naming across different languages and cultures. They determined eleven basic colour terms within the English language: red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange, black, white, grey, brown and pink.

In my book Pink Flamingos & the Yellow Pages (2022), I wrote essays on the three primary colours (red, yellow, blue) and the three secondary ones (green, purple, orange). This time, I’ve turned my attention to black—one of the remaining five basic colours—to explore its historical and cultural significance and its powerful influence on society, art, design and popular culture.

It was said to be very big. The exact size will likely remain unknown. Historical records indicate that Julius Caesar paid dearly for it. In 64 BC, the statesman became the proud owner of a single black pearl, costing him 6 million sesterces (Roman coins), or just over US$1.5 billion. Caesar presented this valuable gem to his favourite mistress, Servilia Caepionis, a woman from an esteemed Roman family. Many believed he was more interested in her intellect than her looks. Either way, Caesar remained enamoured with her until his assassination in 44 BC. He was reportedly a connoisseur of pearls and must have known this particular black beauty was one-of-a-kind. For years, historians have been left baffled – how could he afford such a lavish gift?

Natural black pearls are rare. They are unique to the tropical waters around the islands of French Polynesia. Local turquoise lagoons are home to the black-lip oyster (Pinctada margaritifera), the mollusc that produces the treasured black pearl. Unlike regular shells, this oyster’s interior has a thick black band. If a pearl develops close to this area, it will absorb this dark pigment. Once harvested, these valuable pearls are traded and sold on the island of Tahiti. Hence the name Tahitian pearls. This exotic gem’s seductive range of black colouring adds to its desirability. Rich burgundy, amber, phthalo green and Aegean blue undertones add a beguiling lustre to these deep water jewels. 

This palette of colours helps create both warm and cool shades of black. A strand of natural black pearls reveals just how complex the colour can be, which explains why they are so expensive.

The colour black is mysterious. It adds intrigue. Humans are fascinated when confronted with an object not typically coloured black. Take, for example, black diamonds. Clear diamonds are what we expect, whereas black diamonds pique our curiosity. Naturally grown black diamonds (Carbonado) come infused with graphite and amorphous carbon. They, too, are rare, typically 1 to 3.5 billion years old. Because they are out of the ordinary, people are drawn to their uniqueness, much like Tahitian pearls. Black makes them even more enigmatic and, for some, more desirable than their colourless counterparts. Is there an underlying magnetism attached to the colour? Or is it because it evokes a feeling of calm? Both seem to touch something profound within us.

Image: Gentleman’s Gazette

Black and sophistication go hand in hand. It has long been a defining colour within the fashion industry. Formal events, with people wearing black dresses and tuxedos, forego colourful garb for understated elegance. Yves Saint Laurent once said, “I love black because it affirms, designs and styles.” Most established fashion houses incorporate timeless, black typography into their visual branding, such as Chanel and Givenchy. What may appear as safe positioning for such a creative industry is a means of reinforcing their authority and stability. Black signals power.

Invariably, definitions of black include its relationship with light. Black occurs when there is a complete absence of light or no visible light reaches the eye. NASA explains a black hole as “a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light cannot get through.” Whether in small or large amounts, black creates voids of light and with that comes the implication of something hidden, the unknown—a mystery. Is black the complete omission of colour or the result of mixing all colours? By remaining an enigma, black often leaves us spellbound, like Julius Caesar’s black pearl did centuries ago.

For additional insights and colour-related stories, visit Bob Hambly’s Colour Studies website. You can also view how Black: Spellbinding is presented on the site here.