Gemstone Color

Gemstone Color is defined by four features:

  • Hue: the actual color of the stone.
  • Tone: lightness to darkness.
  • Saturation: brightness to dullness.
  • Distribution: how evenly or unevenly the color is distributed across the top of the stone.

Because there is no universally accepted grading scale for hue, tone and intensity of color, experts will use descriptive words when trying to describe the color of both the most common and the rarest colored stones. For example, sapphires grow in every color of the rainbow except red. In the variety of blue sapphire, the most common ones are either too pale or too dark. The rarer sapphires are a rich, bright blue with no black or gray. Nature produces greater quantities of the paler and darker sapphires. So when we discover the rich, bright blue stones, the cost rises sharply because of their comparative rarity. These principles of common and rare color are true for all colored stones.

Cost, however, is not the only factor to consider when selecting a stone. When we present blue sapphires, for example, we show stones in a wide range of blues, and then focus on the specific shade that pleases the customer most. This means presenting everything from the rarest and best blue sapphire colors to the more affordable navy or sky blue sapphires. At Tom Tivol Jewels, we educate customers on all of the possibilities so they can make a judgment based on both what is pleasing to their eye and what is the best value for them.

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  • Refining Precious Metals

    2012-02-17

    Like all services within the jewelry industry, the liquidation of precious metal jewelry should be undertaken by a professional, who explains the process and provides their commission before their examination or testing starts. Identifying the karat content of metal is not as easy as it seems. This is especially true when the merchant is asked to separate authentic gold and silver coins from coin-like stampings which have a pure gold overlay atop some kind of base metal or sterling silver.

  • Amethyst: February Birthstone

    2012-02-01

    We begin the lovely month of February with a look at its princely birthstone, the amethyst, symbol of royalty, tracing its heritage to the Minoan civilization in ancient Greece about 2500 B.C. This is a gemstone that has been highly prized by monarchs of many countries over countless centuries, even though it is one of the most affordable and commonly available stones. Historians have absolutely no idea why kings and queens have loved this stone. Everyone knows the legend, that if you drink wine from a cup carved of amethyst, then you will never be drunk. Could it be that this story alone accounts for amethyst's royal favor?

  • Garnet: January Birthstone

    2012-01-09

    I believe almost everyone has seen or knows a garnet ... that red or brownish red or pinkish red or brownish orange gemstone. All of this is true. But there is more, much much more. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the garnet family includes some of the most gorgeous gemstones in the entire world, and that includes almost every color imaginable.

  • Blue Topaz and Turquoise: December Birthstones

    2011-12-01

    Blue Topaz and Turquoise: Two "Blues" for a Joyous Month of Gift-Giving! Two "blues" define the official birthstones for December, despite the fact that this is one of the most joyous months of the year.

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