Method for digital color grading of gems and communication thereof

Apparatus for color grading a particular gem by a user, comprising:

• a database storing digitally created images of different colors of gemstones in different shapes, said images are created by digitally coding gem shapes, hues, tones and saturations from digital photographs of a plurality of gems of different shapes, hues, tones and saturations, the database further comprising:
• at least six different shapes of gemstones;
• at least thirty-one different hues for each shape;
• at least six different tones for each hue;
• and
• at least six different saturations for each hue;
• a first data processor programmed to access the database and display the images on a screen for the user for selection;
• wherein the first data processor is further programmed to:
• display on the screen the at least six different shape images of the gemstones stored in the database;
• receive selection from the user of a shape from the displayed at least six different shape images best matching, in the user's judgment the shape of the particular gem being graded;
• display on the screen the at least thirty-one different hue images stored in the database;
• receive selection from the user of a hue from the displayed at least thirty-one hue images best matching, in the user's judgment, the hue of the particular gem being graded;
• in response to receiving the user's selection of the hue, display on the screen the at least six different tones and the at least six different saturation images stored in the database;
• receive selection from the user of a tone and saturation from the displayed at least six different tones and at least six different saturation images best matching, in the user's judgment, the tone and saturation of the particular gem being graded;
• in response to receiving the user's selection of the tone and saturation, generate and display on the screen an image of a shape and a color of a gem having the shape, hue, tone and saturation selected by the user;
• generate and display a code identifying the selected shape, hue, tone and saturation selected by the user, to thereby enable the user to reproduce the generated image of the gem by entering the code into the processor;
• communicate the code to a second data processor for reproducing by the second data processor on a screen associated with the second processor the generated image of the gem having the shape, hue, tone and saturation selected by the user.