DMC 500 — Very Dark Blue Green

DMC 500 Very Dark Blue Green — Jewel-Toned Depth for Dramatic Stitching

Some threads are background players. DMC 500 is a leading role disguised as a dark shade. Very Dark Blue Green belongs to a rarified group of cross stitch colors that function as jewel tones — deep, rich, and luminous even at low value. Think of the deepest part of a peacock feather, the shadowed interior of an old-growth forest, or the surface of a dark mountain lake. That is the territory 500 occupies.

The "blue green" in the name is important. This is not a pure green or a pure blue — it is the place where the two merge into something greater than either. The hex (#1A5C3A) shows a green-dominant shade with enough blue to cool it down and push it toward teal territory. Against pure greens like DMC 699 or DMC 986, the blue influence in 500 is immediately apparent. Against blue-greens like DMC 3809 or DMC 3808, it reads as the darkest member of that family.

In color theory, this shade sits near the boundary of what many people call "teal" — though darker and more serious than the word usually implies. It is related to viridian, the pigment prized by painters for its depth and permanence. In cross stitch, that depth translates into an ability to create shadow and atmosphere that pure blacks or dark greys simply cannot match. Dark areas stitched in 500 have warmth and color where black would create a void.

This is a color that rewards rich, layered palettes. Pair it with DMC 501 (Dark Blue Green) and DMC 502 (Blue Green) for a teal gradient that moves from shadow to midtone. Add DMC 503 (Medium Blue Green) and DMC 504 (Very Light Blue Green) to extend the range into highlights. That five-shade progression is one of the most beautiful gradients in the entire DMC system.

Peacock-themed designs are an obvious and excellent use. The iridescent quality of peacock plumage calls for exactly this kind of deep blue-green, often mixed with DMC 3765 (Very Dark Peacock Blue) and accented with metallic threads. Art nouveau patterns, which frequently feature stylized peacock motifs, rely heavily on shades like 500.

On darker fabrics, 500 needs careful consideration. It can disappear on black or very dark navy Aida. On medium-value fabrics — dark grey, charcoal, burgundy — it creates a subtle, sophisticated effect. On white or cream, it provides dramatic contrast that draws the eye immediately.