Washington, Jan. 1: Emerald has been named the official colour of 2013.

The announcement was made by Pantone, which is the authority on colour.

After conducting poll and research, the institute picked emerald, which it called "lively, radiant and lush green," as the colour of 2013, CBS News reported

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement that the green colour is the most abundant hue in nature and the human eye sees more green than any other colour in the spectrum.

She added that it is also the colour of growth, renewal, and prosperity and that no other colour conveys regeneration more than green.

Several fashion designers' including, Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore and Tadashi Shoji's spring 2013 collection's featured the colour.

Last year, Pantone selected Tangerine Tango as the official colour of 2012. (ANI)