What does the term “hue” refer to in the context of colored stones?

The term "hue" in the context of colored stones refers to the first impression of an object's basic color. It is the attribute that allows us to identify a color, such as red, blue, green, or yellow. Hue encompasses the dominant wavelength of light that is perceived by the human eye, making it fundamental to understanding the overall color of gemstones.

While intensity and brightness are important characteristics of color, they are not synonymous with hue. Intensity relates to the purity or saturation of the color, and brightness describes how light or dark a color appears, which can vary depending on lighting conditions or the material's reflective properties. Specific shades of a gemstone can fall under the broader category of hue, but hue itself is primarily concerned with the basic color identification rather than nuanced variations within that spectrum.