We present JHK colors observed for ten asteroids and synthesized JHK colors for seven meteorite groups, samples of iron and nickel metal, pyroxene, olivine, feldspar, a lunar anorthite and some terrestrial mineral samples. Pronounced differences are apparent between the chondritic and achondritic meteorite classes; the chondritic classes show less subdued trends in J‐H color which reflect their metamorphic gradeWe find small but significant differences between the JHK colors of the predominant C and S classes of asteroids. All JHK colors of asteroids observed here fall within the limited domain defined by the various chondritic and iron‐rich meteorites but are strikingly different from those of most achondritic meteor