EDUCATION:

Coloured Stone - Colour

Colour is the of the utmost importance in determining the value and beauty of a coloured gemstone. Gemstones come in a variety of colours, from the rich greens of emeralds to the vivid blues of sapphires and the fiery reds of rubies. The colour of a gemstone can be described in terms of hue, tone, and saturation.

Hue refers to the actual colour of the gemstone. The basic hues are red (R), orange (O), yellow (Y), green (G), blue (B), violet (V), and purple (P).

Tone refers to how light or dark the colour is, with lighter tones being described as "pastel" and darker tones as "deep."

Saturation refers to the intensity of the colour, ranging from dull or washed-out to vivid and intense.

In addition to these factors, the presence of secondary colours can also affect the value of a gemstone. For example, a sapphire with a slight violet hue may be considered more valuable than one with a greenish hue. The distribution of colour can also play a role, with some gemstones displaying a more even or uniform colour than others. Overall, the colour of a gemstone is a complex and nuanced factor that requires careful evaluation by a trained gemologist.

Gemstone Education