Editor’s Note
GRS has introduced a new quality concept, “vibrant,” to its gemstone reports, marking an update to its color grading system. This addition aims to provide more precise descriptions of gemstone brilliance.
Recently, GRS introduced a brand new quality concept in its gemstone reports: the GRS brilliancy-type “vibrant”. The introduction of this quality concept signifies an update to GRS’s gemstone color grading system.
GRS compiled its most commonly used color grading terms, which have been highly regarded by the industry and jewelry enthusiasts for over 20 years, into a publication titled “GRS Color Terms Go Global”. This includes eight proprietary terms such as GRS-type “pigeon blood” ruby and GRS-type “Royal blue” sapphire, as well as a color description term for gemstone characteristics: Vivid.
Like “vivid”, “vibrant” is also a color description term for gemstone characteristics. So, what kind of gemstone qualifies for the “vibrant” description? The criteria are summarized as follows:
– Perfect cut
– Excellent clarity
– Very low or no dark areas
– Even color distribution
GRS states that the highest quality spinels from Myanmar’s Mansin and Namya mines, as well as Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil or Mozambique, possess these characteristics. Therefore, GRS typically uses “vibrant red” and “vibrant greenish blue” to describe these gemstones.
The term “vibrant” has often been mentioned by some international gemological laboratories, though not always emphasized as a quality concept.
This is how GIA describes color in spinel quality factors.
For high-quality pink-to-red spinels, the term “vibrant” also appears in the color grading system established by the GUILD laboratory, and its grade is higher than “vivid”. This means that compared to “vivid”, “vibrant” has higher saturation and brightness, with fewer or even no dark areas.
GRS is now extending this quality-focused description to all gemstone varieties. In the future, “vibrant” may be applicable to any type of gemstone—regardless of its type, origin, or color saturation level.