Amethyst

HEX: #9966CC | Modern Palette

On White
4.10:1
FAIL
On Black
5.13:1
PASS

Color Specifications

HEX
#9966CC
RGB
153, 102, 204
HSL
270°, 50% ,80%
CMYK
25, 50, 0, 20

About Amethyst

Amethyst (#9966CC) is a color with RGB(153, 102, 204) and HSL(270°, 50%, 80%). It is commonly associated with Romantic moods. In design, it is suitable for Text, Button, Background. Its complementary color is #99CC66, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes Brown Yellow (#CC9966) and #66CC99. The name comes from amethystos (Ancient Greek).

  • HEX: #9966CC
  • RGB: 153, 102, 204
  • HSL: 270°, 50%, 80%
  • Mood: Romantic
  • Use case: Text, Button, Background
  • Complementary color: #99CC66
  • Triadic colors: Brown Yellow (#CC9966), #66CC99
  • The name comes from amethystos (Ancient Greek).

Live Components

LIGHT
DARK
System Notification Box

Color Palettes

Amethyst #9966CC is used in Monochromatic, Neutral + Accent, Analogous, 3 + 1 + 1 palettes, giving designers ready-made combinations for backgrounds, surfaces, accents, and interface elements.

Monochromatic Five tones of the same hue — a reliable scale for backgrounds, surfaces, and text.
 
 
AMETHYST
 
 
Neutral + Accent Four near-neutral tones grounded by a saturated accent — clean and versatile for UI.
 
 
AMETHYST
 
 
Analogous Five hues drifting across a 60° arc — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
 
 
 
 
 
3 + 1 + 1 Three analogous base colors, one complementary accent, one dark anchor — bold yet balanced.
 
 
 
 
 

Color Harmonies

Amethyst #9966CC pairs with #99CC66 as its complementary color, and Brown Yellow (#CC9966) and #66CC99 in triadic combinations. These harmony relationships help create balanced color combinations for UI, branding, and design work.

Complementary

The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.

AMETHYST
Analogous

Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.

AMETHYST
Triadic

Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.

AMETHYST
BROWN YELLOW
Split-Complementary

Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.

AMETHYST
Tetradic (Square)

Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.

AMETHYST
FUZZY WUZZY
Monochromatic

Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.

AMETHYST

Shades & Tints

The shade and tint range for Amethyst #9966CC moves from dark #0D0613 tones through the base color to lighter #F2ECF9 tones, making it useful for depth, hierarchy, and background variation.

AMETHYST

Color Characteristics

Mood
Romantic
Style
Use case
Text Button Background

Accessibility Simulation

Deuteranopia #7878CB
Protanopia #6D6DCC
Tritanopia #8A7979
Achromatopsia #7D7D7D

Frequently Asked Questions

Amethyst (#9966CC) is a color with RGB(153, 102, 204) and HSL(270°, 50%, 80%).

#9966CC pairs strongly with #99CC66 as its complementary color. It can also be used with neutral tones for balanced UI and design layouts.

#9966CC is suitable for Text, Button, Background.

#9966CC is commonly associated with Romantic.

The name Amethyst is linked to amethystos from Ancient Greek, meaning Not intoxicated, referring to the belief that the stone could prevent drunkenness..

Name, History & Etymology

Origin Word amethystos
Meaning Not intoxicated, referring to the belief that the stone could prevent drunkenness.
Language Ancient Greek
First Recorded Use Ancient

History

Amethyst has been used in jewelry and as a decorative stone for millennia, with significant deposits found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Siberia. Its color ranges from a light pinkish-violet to a deep purple, often with secondary red or blue hues. Historically, it was considered one of the most precious gemstones, on par with rubies and emeralds, until large deposits were discovered in the 19th century. The stone's color is attributed to irradiation and iron impurities within its crystal lattice.

First Recorded Use

The term 'amethyst' for the purple quartz variety dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, where it was highly valued for its perceived protective qualities.

Cultural Associations

In ancient Greece, amethyst was associated with Bacchus, the god of wine, and was believed to ward off intoxication. It has also been a significant stone in religious contexts, often used in ecclesiastical jewelry and regalia, symbolizing piety and celibacy. Various cultures have attributed healing and calming properties to amethyst, making it popular in spiritual practices.

Similar Named Colors
Dark Pastel Purple #966FD6 ΔE 3.27
Rich Lavender #A76BCF ΔE 3.27
Medium Purple #9370DB ΔE 4.30
Deep Lilac #9955BB ΔE 5.52

Code Snippets

/* Background */
.element {
    background-color: #9966CC;
}

/* Text */
.element {
    color: #9966CC;
}

/* Border */
.element {
    border: 1px solid #9966CC;
}

/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        #9966CC,
        #CCE6B3
    );
}

/* Radial gradient */
.element {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        #9966CC,
        #CCE6B3
    );
}

// SCSS variable
$amethyst: #9966CC;

// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$amethyst-r: 153;
$amethyst-g: 102;
$amethyst-b: 204;

// Usage
.element {
    background-color: $amethyst;
    color: rgba($amethyst-r, $amethyst-g, $amethyst-b, 0.8);
}