Gemstone Color Quality Testing via Natural Color System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the color quality of colored gemstones are too professional, complex, and subjective, failing to accurately reflect the color quality in a way that is intuitive and practical for the gem industry, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A method based on the Opponent Color Theory, using natural color nomenclature and the Natural Color System to quantify hue-purity, color-strength, and relative chromaticity, which aligns with human color perception and industry practices, allowing for a more scientific, intuitive, and efficient assessment of gemstone colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional natural color nomenclature is used to evaluate gem color quality, then the method is intuitive and easy to understand, but it relies on subjective experience and lacks scientific testing basis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the subjective natural color nomenclature into objective measurable parameters by establishing a standard color library with quantified color characteristics. Each color term (e.g., 'pigeon's blood', 'cornflower blue') is assigned specific colorimetric values including dominant wavelength, purity, and lightness, allowing subjective color descriptions to be converted into objective testable parameters that can be measured and compared scientifically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standard color library as an intermediary between the gemstone inspector's subjective perception and the final color quality assessment. This library serves as a reference system that bridges the gap between intuitive natural color terms and scientific measurement, providing standardized color samples with known characteristics that inspectors can compare against the gemstone being evaluated
2Measurement precision
If the three elements of color (hue, value, chroma) theory is used for systematic color description, then the method provides structured color classification, but it is too professional and complex for practical gem industry application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex three elements of color theory by establishing a standard color library that captures essential color characteristics in a more accessible format. Instead of requiring inspectors to master the full Munsell or CIE color systems, the library provides pre-calibrated color references with simplified identification methods that replicate the systematic classification benefits while reducing the learning curve and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the comprehensive three elements of color theory into practical, manageable components by organizing the standard color library into distinct color categories and families. Each color entry is broken down into measurable parameters (dominant wavelength, purity, lightness) that can be assessed independently, allowing inspectors to evaluate color quality step-by-step rather than attempting to master the entire color system simultaneously
3Measurement precision
If spectrophotometric colorimetry is used for absolute physical color measurement, then the method provides objective color data, but it is too abstract and complex for the gem industry to adopt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standard color library as an intermediary that translates abstract spectrophotometric data into practical color assessment tools. The library contains color standards that have been measured using precise spectrophotometric methods, but these measurements are packaged in an accessible format with visual references and simplified comparison procedures, allowing inspectors to benefit from objective measurement without dealing with the complexity of operating spectrophotometers and interpreting spectral data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of absolute physical color measurements by establishing visual and comparative references in the standard color library. Instead of requiring the gem industry to adopt complex spectrophotometric equipment and procedures, the patent provides replicated color standards that capture the essential measurement data in a format that can be used with simpler tools like colorimeters or even visual comparison under standardized lighting, making objective color assessment practical for routine industry use
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing the color quality of a colored gemstone is disclosed, taking the gem color as an entirety visually composed of different color components, whose total amount of color components is constant, so as to calculate hue-purity, color-strength and relative chromaticity of the gem color to test the color quality. The method comprises the following steps: (1) determining blackness, chromaticness and hue of the gem color; (2) calculating the hue-purity, color-strength and relative chromaticity in accordance with the blackness, chromaticness and hue; (3) finding a matching color in a pre-established standard color library for this specific gemstone according to the hue-purity, color-strength and relative chromaticity calculated in step (2), and use the name of the matching color to indicate the gem color and color quality.