Objective To study the influence from different assigned gradients of material attributes on mechanical properties of the vertebral finite element model. Methods An adult human spine (T12-L5) was CT scanned, and the 3D models of each vertebra were reconstructed in MIMICS, which were then modified in Geomagic and imported into ANSYS for meshing. The element models were imported back to MIMICS and assigned with material properties by separating into 8 kinds of gradients (2, 4, 8, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400 divisions). These models were then imported to ANSYS again for finite element analysis under the same loading condition. Results Significant differences were found in stresses from models with 2, 4, 400 gradients, but the deviations between 8, 10, 50, 100, 200 gradients were not obvious. Conclusions The material attributes of finite element model should be appropriate, and the assigned gradient of 10 divisions could be better guarantee the accuracy of calculation and enhance the calculation speed as well, which is suitable for personalized rapid finite element modeling in clinic.