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Gemstone Color
Learn all about Hue, Tone and Saturation
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Every gemstone has its own color. A blue sapphire is not simply a blue sapphire.
It may be a midnight blue, a deep darkish blue or a light royal blue. There are
also pink, yellow, purple, black, orange sapphires and other shades.
A ruby is not merely red. It may be pigeon blood red, pinkish red or violet red.
And emeralds are found in a variety of colors from grass green to soft green, olive
green darkish green and more.
The color of a gemstone is determined by three separate factors: hue, tone and saturation.
Hue
Dictionary Definition
1. A gradation
or variety of a color; tint: pale hues
2. The property
of light by which the color of an object is classified as red, blue,
green or yellow in reference to the spectrum
3. Color: all
hues of the rainbow
4. Form of appearance
The hue of a gemstone has an impact on its value. Some shades are more sought after
than others, some are rarer, and some, with varying measures of brown or grey tinge
are considered better value for money for those on a more limited budget.
Tone
Dictionary Definition
1. A quality
of color with reference to the degree of absorption or reflection of light; a tint
or shade; value
2. That distinctive
quality by which colors differ from one another in addition to
their differences indicated b hroma, tint, shade; a slight modification
of a given color; hue: green with a yellowish tone.
We use tone to indicate the intensity of color. Tones can range from clear (without
color) to black. When we add light, dark, darkish
or other adjectives to our color descriptions, we are referring to the tone of the
color being described.
For example, if you are looking for a royal blue sapphire you may find stones in
our collection described as light royal blue, medium royal blue, or dark royal blue
depending on their tone.
Saturation
Dictionary Definition
The degree
of chroma or purity of a color; the degree of freedom from admixture with white.
A gemstone with excellent saturation reflects a pure color, without brown or grey
hues. Our top gemstones are rated with either excellent or very good saturation
for a vibrant, bright color.
Search for loose sapphires,
emeralds, rubies or
semi-precious stones.
Search for sapphire jewelry,
emerald jewelry or ruby jewelry.
Definition courtesy of Random House Unabridged Dictionary,
© Random House, Inc. 2006.
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