Gemstone Color

Shape · Cut · Carat Weight · Color · Clarity

The color of a stone will also be a determining factor in it's value. Color is hard to describe in written terms; many people have different interpretations about what a color looks like. The color of stones has been standardized in different ways by different organizations. One of the organizations is the Gemological Institute of America or the AGI. This institute uses three aspects when deciding a gem's color. Hue, or the basic colors of blue, green, yellow, orange, violet, purple and red. Tone, which is the lightness or darkness of the gem’s color. Color purity is used to describe a stone that may have it’s hue hidden by brown or gray; or whether the gem is pure or cloudy. A stone that is vivid and bright in color, is more valuable than a stone that is cloudy, muddy or dull. A stone that is light will not be as valuable as a medium dark stone. But, a gem that is too dark is not as valuable as a medium dark one either. A light colored gem can be just as beautiful as a medium colored gem, but there is more demand for the darker gem and thus the value is higher based on this demand.

To determine the color and hue of a stone, dealers use a color grading chart. You can determine the color of a stone while you are shopping with some easy steps. First, bring a soft cloth with you and wipe the fingerprints and dirt from the gem. Examine the color against several different backgrounds such as, white to see if the center of the stone is pale and washed out. Examine the gem in the bright light. If you are looking at earrings be sure to compare both of them together to make sure they are of the same color and hue. Look at the gem next to your skin to make sure it will look good on you. If an expensive gem doesn't’t look good next to your skin, then there is no reason to buy it.

Incidentally, diamonds are more valuable if they have no color. If a diamond has a yellow or gray hue it is not considered colorless and therefore not as valuable.