Discussion: More on Evaluating Hologram Authenticity and "Rainbow Separation"
Following up on our earlier discussions about holograms, I wanted to focus on a detail that separates the amateurs from the masters: rainbow separation. We know that holograms should "shimmer," but how clearly do the colors of the rainbow separate as you rotate the card? I wanted to start a discussion about identifying high-end holographic color separation. How do we see the rainbow?
In a high-quality, professionally produced hologram, the colors should be distinct and vibrant. You should be able to see clearly defined bands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet as the light hits the card from different angles. A lower-quality hologram will often look "muddy" or will only show a single, gray-ish shimmer. Let’s talk about the details. How do we judge the color quality?
How to Evaluate Holographic Color Separation at Home
- The "Rotation Test": Slowly rotate the card under a single, bright point of light. Watch the edges of the holographic images. Do the colors shift through the entire spectrum?
- Color Saturation: Look for how "bright" the colors are. A pro hologram will pop even in lower light, while a cheap one will only look good under very bright light.
- Consistent Reaction: The rainbow effect should be consistent across the entire hologram. Any "dead spots" where the color doesn’t shift are a sign of a poor production process.
I’ve noticed that some of the newer US and UK IDs have incredibly vibrant holograms that are becoming a true benchmark for quality in our community. Has anyone recently compared a novelty version to an original specifically looking for this color separation? Which vendors are currently leading the pack in holographic color technology? Let’s share our "spectrum" findings!
