Diamond Fluorescence
Diamonds are renowned for their captivating sparkle, unique shapes, and romantic notions. While many understand the importance of the 4Cs, diamond fluorescence is a lesser-known but important phenomenon to be understood.
When a diamond is said to be fluorescent, it means that a colored glow may be seen through the diamond under UV lighting conditions. Fluorescence can potentially impact the aesthetics of a given stone, as well as its value.
In this article, we will explore the different aspects of diamond fluorescence, to help illustrate how this phenomenon impacts a diamond’s appearance and value. By understanding these nuances, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions on your next diamond purchase.
Understanding Diamond Fluorescence
Diamond fluorescence is when a diamond emits visible light when exposed to UV lighting, such as sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Ultraviolet rays are invisible to humans, but they are all around us and present in outdoor lights, indoor lights, and many places in between.
Not every diamond you come across will have fluorescence. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) estimates that only about 25%-35% of diamonds have this characteristic. Of this percentage, 95% of these fluorescent diamonds will give off a blue glow. The remaining 5% of fluorescent diamonds emit other rare colors – such as yellow, green, or orange.
Fluorescence is due to trace elements within the diamond’s structure, such as boron or nitrogen, which are elements that also affect the baseline color of a diamond. These elements absorb UV rays and re-emit it as visible light. With no UV light present, fluorescence is not visible, making it a feature that only appears under specific lighting conditions
How Fluorescence Affects a Diamond’s Aesthetics
For the vast majority of diamonds, to the naked eye fluorescence will not have any noticeable effect on their daily appearance. Furthermore, most people won’t be able to distinguish a fluorescent diamond from one that doesn’t have this property.
That being said, there are some considerations regarding this within the diamond industry.
Some professionals believe that diamonds with a lower color grade do benefit from some blue fluorescence. Recall that with regards to diamond color, as you go down the GIA grading scale, diamonds go from being colorless to being increasingly yellow in hue.
The idea here is that in natural light, as a diamond fluoresces blue, it neutralizes the yellow leading to a more colorless appearance. This is the reason why diamonds with color grades ranging from I to M that fluoresce may have a higher price than comparable diamonds in the same color range that don’t.
On the other hand, for diamonds with a better color grade, or a more colorless appearance, fluorescence is a characteristic that’s thought to be avoided.
For this scenario, the thinking here is that since the diamond is already colorless, hues of blue from the fluorescence will affect the look of the stone, causing a milky or oily appearance. According to the GIA though, it’s estimated that only 0.2% of fluorescent diamonds exhibit this effect.
With respect to both scenarios, studies by the GIA concluded that for the vast majority of diamonds, fluorescence has no discernible impact on the daily appearance of the stone. However, everyone is different, and it’s entirely possible that you may notice the effects of fluorescence on the looks of a stone. It’s for this reason that we always recommend viewing a stone in person, to see if it fits your criteria for looks and budget.
In any case, impacting daily appearance or not, it’s evident from pricing in the industry that fluorescence is indeed a factor that can impact the price of a stone.
Grading Diamond Fluorescence
Diamond fluorescence isn’t graded in the same way as the GIA’s 4Cs of diamond quality. Instead of being a grading factor, diamond fluorescence is instead defined as an identifying characteristic by the GIA.
The GIA denotes fluorescence by intensity on grading certificates. Your diamond may have its fluorescence described as None, Faint, Medium, Strong, or Very Strong. If you possess a diamond with Medium fluorescence or higher, it will also note the color of the diamond’s fluorescence.
At the GIA, fluorescence is assessed using a tool called the GIA DiamondDock. It is the same instrument used for color grading. The DiamondDock is a permanent setup with a neutral background for grading color and fluorescence. Diamond graders can easily switch the diamond from spot lighting to UV lighting. It can even use both simultaneously. A tool such as this provides the perfect environment for grading fluorescence with consistency.
Conclusion
Many different factors impact a diamond’s aesthetics and value. From the carat of the stone to its brilliance, scintillation, and fire, the properties of a diamond give us an insight into the stone’s quality and potential as the gem of your next jewelry piece.
With this in mind, diamond fluorescence is a factor that can influence the price and look of your piece, but it lies on the lower end spectrum on impactability. While this factor does indeed impact the price of stones, it’s questionable whether or not one would be able to see a noticeable difference between fluorescent and non-fluorescent stones in everyday life.
When shopping for your next stone, we recommend focusing on the 4Cs as a guide to follow, with particular emphasis on the cut. A diamond’s cut is arguably the most important characteristic that will impact the look of your piece. It has a direct effect on the brilliance, fire, and scintillation of the stone, and it’s responsible for giving off that signature shine diamonds are known for.
As local jewelers, we completely understand how navigating the diamond world can seem daunting and difficult. With so many aspects to consider, it’s easy to get lost in the details. If you’re considering investing in a loose diamond or a new diamond piece, we invite you to our showroom in San Diego for a complimentary consultation. With a GIA graduate gemologist on-site, we will be more than happy to help guide you on your diamond journey, so you can make an informed and confident decision.