---
title: "Asterisk after the color grade: meaning in gemology"
description: "An asterisk (*) after a GIA color grade means that the lab detected a color treatment. Comments explains what it is."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/asterisk-color-grade
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Grading report

# Asterisk after the color grade

Also called color grade asterisk, F*, treated color asterisk

An asterisk (*) after a GIA color grade means that the lab detected a color treatment. Comments explains what it is.

## In more detail

For example, HPHT processing can remove or change a diamond's color. GIA then marks the grade, describes the treatment in Comments and inscribes TREATED COLOR on the girdle. An asterisk without an explanation in Comments is a sign that something on the report is wrong.

## On a grading report

Directly after the color letter, for example "H*".

## Related terms

- [Color treatment](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/color-treatment): A color treatment is any process that changes a diamond's color, such as HPHT processing or coating.
- [HPHT](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/hpht): HPHT stands for high pressure, high temperature. The same conditions can grow a diamond in a laboratory or treat a natural one to change its color.
- [Comments](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/comments): Comments is the report section for identifying characteristics or features that have no other line on the report. It is also where the lab describes a treatment that it detected.
- [Color grade](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/color-grade): The color grade is a letter from D to Z for the yellow or brown tint of a near-colorless diamond. D is colorless and Z is light yellow or brown.

## Learn more

- [The grades on a diamond report: color, clarity and cut](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/grading-reports/diamond-report-grades)
- [Comments, treatments and lab-grown origin on a diamond report](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/grading-reports/diamond-report-comments-treatments-origin)
- [How to read a diamond grading report, start to finish](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/grading-reports/how-to-read-a-diamond-grading-report)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)