How Gemstones Get Their Color?

Apart from the dazzle and sparks that gemstones create, one of the most amazing features in them is the variety of colors that they come in. From crystal clear insides to hues of blue, green, red, yellow, and pink, gemstones have it all. A number of wholesale gemstone dealers around the world have their own expertise in certain gemstones to provide a wide variety to their buyers. Not only different gemstones grant different colors to the piece, but they can also create magnificent contrast contrasts amongst each other as well.

Imagine getting a bigger blue stone between white diamonds set on white gold. It looks perfect in our imagination but does not answer the central question amidst all this. How do these gemstones get their color? Turns out that there are a number of different reasons or factors that grant the gemstones their colors, or the lack of them thereof. This article takes a look at that.

How Do Gemstones Get Their Colors?

Before getting into the crux of it all, there is a need to understand a simple concept first, the one of internal reflection and light absorption. We see various objects and their colors because the objects reflect light that falls on them. In the case of gemstones, the light enters them and is reflected internally at the handfully crafted cuts and faces on the surface. Not only that makes the gemstone look more bright from the inside, but also sparkling. With this, we can now discuss the color properties of gemstones.

● White or Clear Gemstones: The normal white light that we see has a spectrum of various wavelengths. If a gemstone does not absorb any light and let all of it pass through, it appears clear and colorless, like diamonds. The leading Diamond manufacturers in hong kong explain it this way, “the lack of light is what we call black, as a black surface absorbs all wavelengths of visible light.” This is the reason why diamonds appear white and clear.

● Self Colored: A term used quite often in the diamond industry is idiochromatic, which means self coloring. These gemstones absorb all wavelengths of visible light save one, which grants the Gemstone its colors. A great example here is of peridot, which is yellow-green in color

● Crystal Structure: While it is a common belief that gemstones are perfect and created of only one element, it is a common misconception. In reality, there are a number of impurities that build bonds within the molecular structure of the gemstone, thus giving it that perfect color. This ‘trace’ of another element describes a property called “allochromatic” meaning that the color comes from the impurity. Rubies are Corundum gemstones with traces of Chromium, while Sapphires have traces of titanium, which make them red and blue, respectively.

● Human Intervention: However, some gemstones have certain properties that allow gemstone manufacturers to change or alter the colors of the gemstones. This ‘gem treatment’ works on a deeper level and alters the level or interactions of the trace elements. For example, aquamarines are heat treated to deepen and brighten the color, reduce secondary hues, and enhance clarity.

So this is how your favorite gemstones emit that color that you see. It is either the light absorption property, presence of trace elements, or manual treatment that gives them their color.