Colored Stone Types

Colored Stones

Description of Gemological Institute of America Clarity Grades & Types

Colored stones are graded with respect to their clarity being relative to their mode of formation. As with diamonds, 10x magnification is used. Final assessment is with the unaided eye.

Type 1 Stones - Stones which are fashioned from rough which is plentiful in an inclusion-free state.

Included in this class are:

Beryl - Aquamarine, Goshenite, Morganite, Heliodor

Quartz - Citrine and Smoky

Spodumene - Kunzite

Topaz

Tourmaline (green)

Zircon (blue)

Zoisite - Tanzanite

VVS	Type 1	minute to not detectable
VS	Type 1	minor
SI1	Type 1	noticeable to obvious
SI2	Type 1	obvious to noticeable
I1	Type 1	prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability
I2	Type 1	prominent - severe affect on appearance & durability
I3	Type 1	prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability

Type 2 Stones - Stones which usually contain inclusions. Most colored stones fall into this classification.

Included in this class are:

Alexandrite

Andalusite

Corundum - Ruby and Sapphire

Garnets

Iolite

Peridot

Quartz - Amethyst

Spinel

Tourmaline - blue, orange, purple, yellow, parti-colored

Zircon - green, orange, red, yellow

VVS	Type 2	minor
VS	Type 2	noticeable to obvious
SI1	Type 2	noticeable to obvious
SI2	Type 2	obvious to prominent
I1	Type 2	prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability
I2	Type 2	prominent - severe affect on appearance & durability
I3	Type 2	prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability

Type 3 Stones - Stones that are almost always included.

Included in this class are:

Beryl - Emerald

Tourmaline - pink to red

VVS	Type 3	noticeable to obvious
VS	Type 3	noticeable to obvious
SI1	Type 3	obvious to prominent
SI2	Type 3	obvious to prominent
I1	Type 3	prominent - considerable affect on appearance or durability
I2	Type 3	prominent - severe affect on transparency or durability
I3	Type 3	prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability
Declasse	Type 3	stones not transparent because of inclusions

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Colored Stone Types

Colored Stones