Living near the coast changes the way you see color.

The ocean is never just blue. Some mornings it’s pale aquamarine. On windy days it turns deep and dramatic. At sunset the sky washes everything in soft lavender and gold.

Those shifting colors are the same palette that inspires much of what I create for Marie & Oakley. When I sit down at my worktable or pull out my watercolor paints, I often realize I’m working with the same colors I saw earlier that day along the water.

Gemstones and watercolor pigments become a way of capturing small moments from the coast.

A quiet morning walk.

The color of sea glass in the sand.

The light dancing across the water just before sunset.

Here are a few of the coastal colors that show up again and again in my jewelry and paintings.

Aquamarine: The Calm of Clear Water

Aquamarine is one of the gemstones that most closely reflects the color of the sea on a calm day.

Its soft blue-green tone reminds me of clear water along the Carolina coast when the waves settle and everything feels peaceful.

In my jewelry designs, aquamarine often becomes the centerpiece of delicate necklaces. Suspended on a 14k gold-filled chain, the stone catches the light in a way that feels subtle and effortless—perfect for everyday wear.

Aquamarine also appears frequently in my watercolor paintings, where layers of transparent washes create that same luminous quality you see in shallow water.

Turquoise: Bright Coastal Energy

Turquoise has a brightness that instantly feels sunlit and joyful.

While it’s often associated with the desert and the American West, I love how naturally it fits into coastal color palettes as well. Its vibrant blue-green tones echo sea glass and the sparkling shallows along the shoreline.

In my jewelry, turquoise appears in faceted beads paired with small gold details, or alongside playful elements like tiny fish charms that nod to life beneath the waves.

In watercolor, turquoise pigments bring energy to ocean scenes and coastal-inspired color studies. A few brushstrokes can instantly evoke the movement of water.

Sea Glass Greens

Soft greens inspired by sea glass often find their way into both my art and jewelry collections.

These colors feel gentle and weathered—like something the ocean has slowly softened over time.

In jewelry, I love using gemstones that mirror those tones to create pieces that feel natural and relaxed. Paired with warm gold, these soft greens take on a quiet elegance.

In watercolor, sea glass colors appear as light washes layered across the page, creating the kind of soft transitions you see in water and sky.

Amethyst: Coastal Evenings

As the day fades along the water, the sky often shifts into deeper shades of violet and lavender.

Amethyst reminds me of those peaceful coastal evenings when the horizon turns purple and the air begins to cool.

When used in jewelry, amethyst adds richness and depth to a collection that’s otherwise inspired by lighter ocean colors.

In watercolor paintings, these purples appear in sunset skies and reflective water, bringing a sense of calm and quiet to the scene.

Gold: Sunlight on the Water

One color connects nearly everything I create—warm golden light.

It’s the glow that appears when the sun hits the water in late afternoon. It’s the warmth of sunlight on shells and sand.

That’s why so many Marie & Oakley pieces feature 14k gold-filled chains, hoops, and settings. Gold reflects coastal light beautifully and highlights the natural colors of gemstones.

In watercolor art, golden tones appear in small details: sunlight on waves, the warm edge of a cloud, or the soft glow of evening along the shore.

Capturing the Coast

Jewelry and watercolor paintings share something in common—they both hold small moments.

A gemstone necklace might remind you of the color of the ocean on a favorite beach day. A watercolor wash might capture the quiet feeling of standing by the water and watching the tide move in and out.

For me, creating jewelry and painting are simply two ways of telling the same story.

The story of the coast.

Its colors.

Its light.

And the calm that comes from being near the sea.

Handmade jewelry and watercolor art from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Inspired by the colors of the coast.