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Unlike diamonds, which follow strict grading scales such as the GIA’s D–Z system, coloured gemstones have no single universal standard, and even leading laboratories often differ in the terminology they use.
To bring greater clarity, we’ve developed our own simplified grading system and guide — designed to outline how we categorise each gemstone type and to help you navigate our filters with ease, while staying consistent with the language commonly found in gem reports.
Only the faintest trace of colour, often appearing pastel or near-colourless, with a soft and delicate look.
Soft, pastel hues with low saturation and tone; colours appear delicate and almost washed out.
Noticeable but gentle colour, brighter than pale, yet still soft and airy in appearance.
Clear and lively colour that is stronger than light but not yet intense; retains brightness and openness.
Displays balanced saturation with rich colour tones that remain bright and lively without appearing dark.
Maximum saturation without heaviness; colours appear bright, pure, and strikingly intense.
Strong and dark in tone, producing rich, dramatic hues though with reduced brightness.
Very strong tone where colour appears heavy or inky, vibrancy is reduced and brilliance often masked.
Note: Industry trade names such as “pigeon blood” ruby or “cornflower blue” sapphire fall within these categories, but are not shown separately here. A stone-specific guide to help place these follows below.
Exceptional shine and bright reflections, showing strong light return and a crisp sparkle.
Noticeable brightness but with softer reflections and a more subtle overall glow.
Soft and muted appearance, often near-opaque looking with minimal internal light.
No visible inclusions to the naked eye.
Minor inclusions can be seen without magnification but don’t significantly affect beauty.
Obvious inclusions visible to the eye, often affecting brilliance.
Precise and symmetrical with well-defined facets and a clean, polished finish.
Generally well-cut with fair symmetry and proportions, may show soft facet definition.
Irregular or uneven cut with softened edges or visible imperfections.
Rubies generally do not fall into the lighter categories, as stones with reduced saturation are often classed as pink sapphire. Medium intense rubies can show a bright, lively red. What are commonly described in the trade as “Pigeon Blood”, “Royal Red”, or “Crimson Red” are colours we believe sit best within the vivid range, showing pure red with strong saturation but without appearing dark. Deeper tones, often referred to as “Velvet Red” or “Burgundy Red”, may be placed in the deep category, carrying a rich dramatic appearance though sometimes at the expense of brilliance.
Faint sapphires on this scale display the lowest trace of blue before being considered colourless, most common in smaller melee sizes. Pale and light sapphires appear very light pastel or sky blue. Medium Light or Medium intense stones often correspond to what is commonly termed “Cornflower Blue”, noted for its rich yet open tone. The vivid range is typically what the trade describes as “Royal Blue”. Deep, but still lively sapphires, sometimes described as “Midnight Blue” fall into the deep category; but if less so and overly inky or blackened, then will fall into the Dark category, typical of Kanchanaburi Sapphires, also displaying lower lustre and brilliance.
At the paler end, emeralds appear soft and pastel green. Medium intense emeralds, especially those from Colombia, often show the balanced bright tones. Stones described as “Muzo Green”, “Old Mine”, “Fine Colombian Green” or a typical “Zambian Green” are most commonly placed in the vivid range, where saturation is pure and strong. Deeper tones such as “Royal Green” or “Forest Green” are generally aligned with the deep category, producing a rich and powerful look, though less lively if overly dark. Also due to the nature of Emeralds, most will fall into the visibly included clarity grading.
