If you’ve seen a diamond and held it close, you must have observed a soft glow in it. No, we are not talking about reflected light which gives a diamond its sparkle. Rather, we are referring to diamond fluorescence.
Very often, diamond fluorescence causes confusion among people who don’t have prior knowledge about it, and in turn, affects their decision to buy diamonds. In this article, we aim to discuss everything you need to know about fluorescence and the ways it affects the price and color of diamonds.
So, what is diamond fluorescence and what causes it?
When diamonds glow, they are actually emitting visible light. This fluorescence in diamonds has caused exposure to UV rays from the sun or other artificial sources. This usually causes them to emit a soft bluish or yellowing light. But once the source of UV light has been removed, the fluorescence is gone. But not all diamonds are capable of fluorescence, and the ones that do, only have fluorescence up to a certain degree.
Can diamond fluorescence be graded?
While the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) considers four primary factors called the four Cs – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight while grading diamonds, they also consider diamond fluorescence to be an important aspect of diamonds.
GIA lays out a fluorescent diamond grading system based on the intensity of diamond fluorescence. Thus, the intensity of fluorescence in diamonds is either None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong. It has checked and assessed in labs. If the diamond fluorescence has been recorded as Strong or Very Strong, then in that case will also note the color of the diamond.
[greeting]Diamond fluorescence and colored diamonds:
The most common fluorescence color in diamonds is blue, so much so that 99% of all is blue. It occurs when diamonds have exposed to longwave UV lights. Very rarely, it exhibits colors like yellow, white, or red.
Depending on the degree of intensity of diamond, the diamonds can either appear hazy or enhance the color:
· Diamonds with Faint and Medium have often been recommended.
· Diamonds with Strong and Very Strong fluorescence can make the diamond look extremely hazy and cloudy. This hampers the overall look of the diamond.
· Blue fluorescent diamond very often enhances the diamond color.
·In case certain diamonds have a Faint to Medium fluorescence which does not change its appearance, you should definitely go for them because they will save you a lot of money.
· Since it is visible only under UV light, make sure to have the jeweler show you the diamond in UV as well as in a natural light setting.
· The lower grades diamond color can usually be enhanced if they have high quantity.
· Low color grade diamonds are less likely to turn hazy or cloudy even if the it is strong.
· In fact, blue fluorescence can make a diamond appear whitish. Thus, the yellowish tint in low color graded diamonds can usually be countered with such blue fluorescence.
Bottomline
In the end, the decision rests with you. Almost all studies have revealed that diamond fluorescence is hardly ever noticeable to anyone with an untrained eye. So, if the diamond looks good and you are happy with your purchase, you shouldn’t really bother about it. Unless the it is absolutely horrible and the diamond loses its clarity, it can be well worth your money to buy low-graded colored diamonds with strong fluorescence. Bear in mind that diamonds with fluorescence often sparkle much better than those without them.
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