The 10 Best Gradient Puzzles

You're liable to be driven dotty with the Clemens Habicht Vibrating Spectrum (about $49), which uses a polka dot figure-ground relationship to create a visual effect that's both engaging and challenging. Plus, it's low dust, so there's no mess to clean up.

The Buffalo Games Color Challenge (around $12) is almost too tricky, but to make things a little easier for you, the manufacturer has included a poster for reference. And because they use precision cutting techniques, none of your frustration will come from a subpar construction.

You can work through any postmodern angst you might have with the Areaware Black/White (around $21), a gentle, grayscale gradient that's perfect for whiling away ponderous, rainy afternoons. If you're feeling more lively, however, it also comes in brighter choices.

Get ready to go in circles with the Clemens Habicht Colours Wheel (about $59), which gives you 1,000 pieces for hours of fun, whether by yourself or with a group of friends. And unlike many others, it's designed to be soothing and enjoyable, rather than teeth-gnashingly tough.

Featuring a variety of fruits, this Ceaco Citrus (about $11) by Brittany Wright might aptly be described as both zesty and a-peel-ing (sorry). It's fairly large when finished, at 24 by 18 inches, and would make a fine gift for puzzle aficionados or serious foodies.

If you begin to feel like the LRRH Rainbow Palette (about $15) is just a bit too much, all you have to do is look on the back. It's divided into several areas and marked with letters, which should give you a boost in productivity and confidence.

Okay, you caught us. The BGraamiens Blooming Color (appx. $19) isn't exactly a gradient, but it is certainly a fanciful work that plays with color and is demanding for everyone from the novice to the old hand. The print is vibrant and high quality, too.

Children over the age of four might enjoy the challenge presented by the 3DRose Florene (around $11), which has only 70 pieces, so it is entertaining, rather than absurdly maddening. It even comes with a display stand that helps show off the completed piece.

Although the Ravensburger Krypt Silver (appx. $17) is monochromatic, if you're looking for a nearly Sisyphean diversion, it could be just right. Every piece is unique, so you must use their shapes along with the spiral cut as your guide to putting it together.

With 500 tiles, the Galison Rainbow Marbles (around $7) isn't too big, so you probably won't lose your marbles in trying to complete it. The design offers plenty of vividness and visual interest, which should keep you engaged right up to the end.