tone's color of the year -- Pantone number 17-5641 -- is the color of a four-leaf clover.

Oliver Peoples' Benedict with Green Polar Glass. Pantone determines the "it" color by polling industrial, fashion, interior and other designers and brands about the colors they're already working with. A color committee made up of Pantone executives and clients makes a pick based on the surveys, sales of color swatches, conversations with experts.

A wall clock from home decor store, CB2. Yellow-greens have been trendy for the past decade, but emerald hasn't been a popular color since the 1980s.

A look from the Akris, Spring/Summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection. Other designers, including Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana, also made use of deep greens.

Valentino emerald lace suit from 2013 Resort collection.

Malachite Wallpaper in Emerald by Cole & Son. The more relaxing emerald "is absolutely the opposite of 2012's Color of the Year," says Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone's color specialist. The 2012 color was tangerine tango.

A pitcher from Le Creuset. Judy Baker, the cookware maker's director of marketing says, "A lot of people use cookware and tea kettles as fashion for their kitchen," she notes.

Big Bang Tutti Frutti Apple Chronograph by Hublot

"Jardin" Tsavorite, Sapphire and Diamond Ring set in 14k White Gold