Problem I have Buying Online

[pwsg07]

When I buy online, I have problems judging the colour of the stones from the photos. The photos usually showed the stones in a more saturated colour and in lighter tone. I heard that the hand shot photo always shows the stone in a more accurate colour. I have bought stones only from looking at the hand shot and the video. But the true colour of the stones is much darker. I want to see a more accurate photo of the stone. What is the light source and the background in the photo I should know? Or I should ask the vendor take the photo of the stone with an object with well know colour for example coke. Thank you.

 

[chrono]

Always presume that the stone looks not as nice in person. Look at the background light to be able to gauge colour. Strong lighting usually indicates the stone is darker in person and vice versa. The same with videos. See a dark shadow? Then the stone is flooded with light and the stone is darker in person. Hand colour is another tell tale sign (orange hand? Pale ghost hand? Super tanned hands?)

We are more than happy here in CS to assist you with "reading" photographs and videos if you post your questions here.