Abstract: A color detector includes a light source, a photodiode, and a filter tuned to only allow light of a specific color to pass through to the photodiode. When the light reaches the photodiode, the photodiode outputs a current that indicates that the color is present in the light. The filter may include a pair of partially reflective layers consisting of a reflective metal, such as silver. To prevent the metal from oxidizing or reacting with the environment, the partially reflective layers may be coated with a protective layer, such as aluminum nitride. The color detector may further include a color enhancing layer. Finally, the color detector may include a capping layer. Accordingly, the color detector provided herein allows for the filter to use metals for partially reflective layers that would normally oxidize, as well as detect light of a specific spectrum of wavelengths.