---
title: "Saturation: meaning in gemology"
description: "Saturation is the strength or purity of a gem's color, from grayish or brownish to vivid."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/saturation
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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

# Saturation

Also called color saturation, intensity

Saturation is the strength or purity of a gem's color, from grayish or brownish to vivid.

## In more detail

Strong saturation is preferred in ruby, sapphire and emerald. Brownish tints lower the value of amethyst sharply. Padparadscha is the exception: its definition asks for low to medium saturation.

## Related terms

- [Hue](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/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.
- [Tone](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/tone): Tone is how light or dark a gem's color is, from very light to very dark.
- [Padparadscha](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/padparadscha): Padparadscha is a sapphire of soft pinkish orange to orangey pink. Its tones are pastel and its saturation low to medium.
- [Pigeon's blood](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/pigeons-blood): Pigeon's blood is a trade name for a ruby of intense, saturated, even red. It has no single agreed standard.
- [Royal blue](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/royal-blue): Royal blue is a trade name for a sapphire of intense, saturated, even blue. It is not a single agreed 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)