Color Grading
Color is the most critical factor in determining the quality and value of colored gemstones. It is assessed based on three primary attributes:
- Hue: The basic color of the gemstone (e.g., blue, red, green).
- Tone: The lightness or darkness of the color.
- Saturation (Intensity): The purity and vividness of the color.
While hue and tone are important, saturation often plays the most significant role in a gemstone's visual appeal and market value. Higher saturation levels typically indicate more desirable and valuable gemstones.
We classify gemstone color intensity into the following grades:
Color Intensity Scale
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Dark | Very strong color saturation with a dark tone, which can sometimes obscure the stone's brilliance and internal features. |
| Deep | Rich color saturation accompanied by a darker tone. While the color is intense, the overall appearance may be slightly muted due to the depth of tone. |
| Vivid | Exhibits the most intense and pure color saturation without appearing overly dark. This is the highest color intensity grade, showcasing exceptional brilliance. |
| Intense | Slightly less saturated than Vivid, yet still displays rich and vibrant color. Highly desirable and often found in premium gemstones. |
| Strong | Displays a noticeable and attractive color saturation, though not as rich as Intense or Vivid grades. |
| Moderate | Shows a balanced color presence, with neither strong nor weak saturation. The color is noticeable but may appear somewhat subdued. |
| Light | Possesses a faint color saturation, resulting in a pastel-like appearance. The color is present but lacks intensity. |
| Pale | Exhibits a very subtle hint of color, often appearing nearly colorless to the untrained eye. |
| Near Colorless | Almost devoid of color, with only a slight tint detectable under close observation. |
| Colorless | No perceptible color; completely transparent and devoid of any hue. |
Note: The perception of color can be subjective and may vary based on lighting conditions and individual preferences.
Understanding the Scale
- Vivid to Deep: Represents gemstones with the highest levels of saturation. Vivid stones are bright, lively, and full of brilliance, while Deep stones exhibit rich saturation with a darker tone that may slightly reduce transparency.
- Intense to Vivid: Gemstones in this range exhibit vibrant, highly saturated color—just below the finest Vivid grade but still exceptionally desirable.
- Strong to Intense: Displays rich and noticeable saturation that enhances the gem's overall appeal, falling just short of the most premium grades.
- Moderate to Strong: These gemstones show a balanced and attractive saturation level—stronger than average but not vivid. They retain good brightness and clarity while offering solid color presence.
- Light to Moderate: Stones in this range exhibit more subtle color tones. Their saturation is delicate, often pastel-like, and may appeal to those who prefer understated elegance.