CALIBRATION

ColourWise uses HTML5 generated digital imagery. This is supported by all the main browsers and is displayed the same way 'text' is generated. This ensures 'truer' colours.

It is important to calibrate the screen of your electronic device before you attempt to colour grade a gemstone using ColourWise. Monitor colour tests are a quick and easy way to configure your monitor’s colour accuracy, as well as other settings, like contrast and sharpness.

Before starting any test, always do the following:

1. Let your computer warm up before carrying out the test (30 mins for LCD monitors, 50 for CRT monitors and 70 mins for LED monitors). This is because monitors take a short while to reach their full brightness.

2. Set your monitor to its native resolution. This is the actual number of pixels physically built into your monitor. All other resolutions are ‘supported resolutions,’ but the native resolution is the one your monitor was made for.

3. To do this on a PC, go to the control panel. Then, select settings and appearance. Select personalization, then adjust screen resolution. Click the drop-down menu and tick the resolution that’s marked ‘recommended.’

4. On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Displays. Under Resolution, make sure Default for display is selected.

5. Check your room’s lighting. You want moderate ambient lighting - neither super bright or dark, but well-lit.

6. Familiarize yourself with your monitor’s display settings - such as colour, contrast, brightness, etc. You’ll find them in your control panel, system preferences under the Display tab, or on the side of your monitor.

7. Now it’s time to run a test. Online monitor colour tests offer you a quick, free calibration utility by showing you a series of test patterns. Then, depending on what you can and can’t see, you’ll adjust your monitor’s colour settings, contrast, brightness, sharpness, etc.

Some popular colour test websites include:

Eizo – a simple online test that enables you to test your monitor’s colour, as well as other attributes like sharpness, pixels and optimum viewing angle.

Lagom – a detailed yet relatively easy to use colour test website. Good for those with a decent understanding of computers.

W4ZT – a very simple test page that’s straightforward and quick. Ideal for those who aren’t quite so tech-savvy.

Calibrize – not strictly an online colour test – you’ll have to download this one – Calibrize helps you to adjust your monitor’s colour in three simple steps.