Abstract: The present invention enables one to easily and immediately distinguish between grades, dimensions and manufacturers of cemented carbide by color coding. This invention further provides for a semi-permanent coloration of the carbide and this coloration does not interfere with the brazing process. When the process disclosed here is applied to carbide parts, the coloration can be used as a means to distinguish between grades of carbide or to classify visually indistiguishable dimensional changes. In addition, the coloration can provide a record of the manufacturing origin of each individual carbide part.