Colors are said to be based on three particular characteristics: their hue, saturation, and light. They are also comprised of three main colors red, green and blue.
The absence of all such color is what we know as the color black. It is the complete absence of light.
Key Takeaways
- Black is a color that absorbs all visible wavelengths of light, appearing as a dark shade commonly used in clothing, art, and design.
- Jet black is a term used to describe an intense, deep, and glossy black color, associated with polished gemstones such as jet, a type of lignite coal used in jewelry.
- The difference between black and jet black lies in the depth and glossiness of the color. Jet black has a more intense, polished appearance compared to standard black.
Black vs Jet Black
The difference between Black and jet black is that black is a general color of no light or color whereas Jet black is the darkest shade of black with an undertone or in other words is a more descriptive and stronger black.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Black | Jet Black |
|---|---|---|
| HSL value (Hue, Saturation, Light) | 0° hue, 0% saturation, 0% light. | 225° hue, 3% saturation, 27% lightness. |
| RGB value (Red, Green, Blue) | 0° hue, 0% saturation, 0% light. | 26.67% red, 27.06% green, 28.24% blue. |
| Wavelength | 477.19 nm. | 474.23 nm. |
| Derivation | Derived from blæc, blakkazbhleg, bhleg, which mean dark, burned, shine, respectively. | Lignite stone called Jet. |
| Usage | General with less intensity. | Specific with more intensity. |
What is Black?
Black, which is said to be the darkest color in the color spectrum, absorbs all light rays that are incident upon it. The world black is derived from Derived from blæc, blakkazbhleg, bhleg, which mean dark, burned, shine respectively.
The color black is seen as a color of great aesthetic value. Most people prefer black items as it has the capability of maintaining a simple yet effortlessly classy design.
In the science of Feng shui, it invokes power and maintains calmness and serenity. In certain cultures and traditions black is said to be unlucky or associated with negative feelings.
In general, black ranges from light to dark but irrespective the name used is still just black It is said to be a universal color.
What is Jet Black?
Jet black is the darkest shade of black. It is derived from the semi-precious mineraloid lignite called jet.
Due to the weight of the wood, it sinks to the bottom where it then over time gets covered in organic sediments. This is then degraded and heated separately to form what we know as Jet.
Jet does not form in a seam. Instead, it forms when an individual piece of woody material such as a tree branch is washed into a body of water.
This material then becomes waterlogged, sinks to the bottom and is covered by organic-rich sediment. It is then compacted, degraded, and heated in isolation.
Jet black is the preferred color for mobile phones and technological appliances due to its bright sheen and finish.
When referring to the deepest black instead of saying dark black, the term used is jet black. The term is very commonly used in many ways such as “As black as jet”, “ it was jet black”.
Main Differences Between Black and Jet Black
- Black is the general color which absorbs all light and has a wide range whereas jet black is specifically the darkest shade of black.
- In hair color, black is caused by the abundance of a type of melanin called eumelanin but Jet black is categorized as a mix of black or dark brown with a metallic finish.
- Jet black is used when talking about a unique color. There is only one Jet black, but black has multiple variations.
- Our hair is naturally black and doesn’t fade, but jet black hair can be achieved by artifice and would require retouches.
- Black has a hexadecimal value of #000000 whereas Jet black has a hexadecimal value of #0A0A0A.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
This is a great comparison, very informative.
It really is! The details on the HSL and RGB values are particularly enlightening.
This is a really interesting set of details on black and jet black. I learned a lot from this
I agree, black has always been one of my favorite colors due to its simplicity but I didn’t know the depth of its complexity.
This is such a well-thought-out post. Love the way the difference between black and jet black is explained.
Absolutely, the post is very enlightening.
The details seem a little too excessive, but the post is good overall.
I get what you mean, but I enjoy the thorough explanations.
I think it’s incredible how the color black has so many cultural associations. A very thought-provoking article.
I agree, it’s fascinating to learn about the different ways cultures view colors.
Absolutely, it’s good to see that colors have so much depth beyond just appearance.
I never knew black had so much significance. Very well written.
The post provides great insights into the color black.
I agree with you, it’s quite insightful.
Hmm, I thought this would be more technical.
The post didn’t really add much to my knowledge.
Hmm, I found it informative, but I guess it’s subjective.
I had never imagined that black has so many dimensions. This is mind-blowing.
I know, the context of black and jet black is so vast, it’s fascinating.
I found this to be quite humorous actually
Agreed, the way the post talks about colors is quite funny.