Choose a colored gemstone by confirming what it is and whether it is natural, laboratory-grown, or treated, then compare the specific stone's color, transparency, cut, size, durability, and intended setting. Colored gems do not share one universal clarity or quality scale.

A material-first colored gemstone guide that reviews color, clarity, cut, size, distribution, phenomena, identity, treatment, durability, report scope, and care without importing a universal diamond grading scale.

What this guide covers

Confirm material identity, creation status, treatment, and applicable report scope.
Review color, clarity, cut, size, distribution, and any optical phenomenon together.
Match durability, setting, care, and intended wear to the complete piece.

Ask five questions of every colored gem

What is it?

Identify the gem material, natural or laboratory-grown status, composite construction, and detected treatments with suitable documentation.

How does it look?

Review hue, tone, saturation, distribution, transparency, inclusions, cut, windowing or extinction, size, and phenomena in more than one light.

How will it wear?

Separate scratch hardness, resistance to breaking, and stability under heat, light, chemicals, humidity, and cleaning.

How will it be set?

Connect exact dimensions, outline, exposed edges, setting coverage, metal, comfort, repair access, and surrounding materials.

What is written?

Retain the report, treatment disclosure, exact seller description, current terms, care guidance, and return or refund policy.

Move from gem name to item-specific evidence

1 — Identify before comparing
Do not let a color, trade name, photograph, or seller category substitute for material and treatment evidence.
2 — View under varied conditions
Compare face-up color and transparency across controlled indoor and daylight-like views, angles, and ordinary distance.
3 — Review the finished piece
Bring the exact gem, treatment, dimensions, setting, activities, maintenance, and written commercial terms into the final decision.

A colored-gem guide cannot grade every material

Scope boundary · evidence version 2026-07-19
This page does not identify, grade, appraise, price, or guarantee a gemstone. Color cannot prove material, origin, treatment, durability, or value, and a general care rule cannot authorize cleaning or repair for an unknown stone and setting.

Colored gemstone questions

Do colored gems use the diamond clarity scale?

Not as a universal system. Inclusion expectations and accepted transparency vary by gem material and market context.

Is the most saturated color always best?

No. Hue, tone, distribution, cut, transparency, phenomena, and personal preference work together.

Does a report give a universal quality grade?

Not necessarily. Read the exact service scope; colored-stone reports can focus on identity, treatment, measurements, and eligible origin opinions.

Continue exploring

Review the five gem questions
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