The present invention discloses an apparatus that comprises a
spectrometer, and computer and a dual integrating sphere measurement
arrangement comprising a measurement integrating sphere, a sample
integrating sphere, a sample platform, a filter, a lens system, a baffle
and a light source. The sample integrating sphere encloses a sample to
provide a constant environment for simulating the visual color grading
environment. The computer controls the spectrometer and provides
measurement parameters calculated from physical parameters of the
measured sample, including, but not limited to, shape, dimensions,
refractive index, intensity of fluorescence and cut grade. The computer
then calculates spectral reflectance and colorimetric data, and
determines an average color grade by checking a look-up-table that
represents the relationship between the CIELAB coordinate and the average
color grade. The computer also determines a true color grade based upon
the average color grade and the physical parameters, using mathematical
analytic algorithms.