The chemical properties of different bitumens were characterized by determining their asphaltene and resin contents and acid-base properties by carrying out titrations in organic media. Furthermore, the colloidal properties of the bitumens in water, i.e. their electrical interfacial properties, were evaluated by measuring the zeta potentials of bitumen dispersions in water. Comparison between the chemical and colloidal properties of the bitumens shows that it could be possible to predict the dispersion stability from the chemical properties of the bitumens. The resins/asphaltenes ratio can affect the dispersion stability by controlling the arrangement of the bitumen components inside the droplet and also at the interface during dispersion manufacture.