Dark blue emeralds naturally absorb more light than lighter-colored gemstones, making them appear darker in photographs. To accurately showcase their rich blue tones, additional lighting and minor image adjustments are often required.

Increase the Amount of Light#

Provide the gemstone with as much even lighting as possible.

You can achieve this by using:

  • The GemLightbox magnetic lights

  • The GemCam Pro built-in lights

Additional lighting helps reveal more of the stone's natural color and internal detail.

Use Yellow Lighting#

For dark blue emeralds, yellow lighting generally produces the best results.

Warm lighting helps enhance the blue tones within the gemstone, allowing more of its natural color to be visible without making the image appear overly cool.

Make Manual Adjustments#

After capturing your image, use the editing tools in the GemIQ Desktop App to fine-tune the appearance of the gemstone.

Small adjustments to brightness, contrast, or color can help bring out more of the blue while maintaining a natural and realistic look.

Avoid making excessive adjustments, as this may cause the gemstone to appear inaccurate.

Common Questions#

Why does my dark blue emerald look almost black in photos?#

Dark-colored gemstones absorb more light, making them appear darker in images. Increasing the amount of light can help reveal more of their natural color.

Should I use white or yellow lighting?#

For dark blue emeralds, yellow lighting generally produces the best results by enhancing the gemstone's blue tones.

Can I use both the GemLightbox Max and GemCam Pro lights together?#

Yes. Using additional light from either the GemLightbox Max magnetic lights or the GemCam Pro lights can improve color visibility and overall image quality.

Do I need to edit every photo?#

Dark blue emeralds often benefit from minor manual adjustments after capture. Small refinements can help accurately represent the gemstone's natural color.