---
title: "Hue: meaning in gemology"
description: "Hue is the basic color of a gem, such as red, blue or green. A second color can modify it, as in purplish red."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/hue
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Colored gemstones

# Hue

Hue is the basic color of a gem, such as red, blue or green. A second color can modify it, as in purplish red.

## In more detail

Hue can decide the variety. Red must be the dominant hue before GIA calls a stone ruby. In ruby, pure red to slightly purplish red is valued most.

## On a grading report

Colored stone reports state the color in words, such as 'purplish red'.

## Related terms

- [Tone](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/tone): Tone is how light or dark a gem's color is, from very light to very dark.
- [Saturation](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/saturation): Saturation is the strength or purity of a gem's color, from grayish or brownish to vivid.
- [Gem variety](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/gem-variety): A variety is a subdivision of a gem species, usually by color. Ruby and sapphire are varieties of corundum, and emerald is a variety of beryl.
- [Pink sapphire](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/pink-sapphire): Pink sapphire is corundum whose color is pink rather than red. Chromium causes both its pink and the red of ruby.
- [Trade color term](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/trade-color-term): A trade color term is a market name for a fine color, such as pigeon's blood, royal blue or cornflower. It is not a gemological standard.

## Learn more

- [Fancy color diamonds and fluorescence: beyond the Z grade](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/four-cs/fancy-color-diamonds-and-fluorescence)

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