Earlier this year we had a look at three rings, all solitaires, each with a different colour grade, and each set in a different colour metal. One other thing was different about them, and I’m wondering if you noticed? Two of the diamonds have medium fluorescence. Can you pick the one that doesn’t? Can you pick diamond fluorescence? Have a look at the photo belowand tell me which one it is.
Diamonds Fluorescing
Now look at the photo below. The three diamonds now have a UV light shone on them. The non fluorescent diamond is the bottom one. It is simply doing as diamonds do and reflecting the blue of the light. The other two diamonds are fluorescing. Don’t they look beautiful?
Diamond fluorescence is like a flaring of a beautiful blue colour when the diamond is exposed to UV light. It is a flash of colour that disappears once the diamond is no longer exposed to the light source. It really is an amazing gift of nature. A brief, luminous glow. Aren’t diamonds just amazing?
So the Big Question. Does Diamond Fluorescence Affect the Look of The Diamond?
Well this is a much talked about subject, and there is a lot of misinformation out there!!! So much so, that the GIA have felt compelled to print on the back of all their diamond certificates information about fluorescence. As their explanation is so comprehensive, I have added it below. The GIA is the world’s largest grading laboratory. It sees millions and millions of diamonds. So I do think they know what they are talking about! I hope that you find their explanation useful.
It is worth noting that the GIA specifically states that in studies they have undertaken, the presence of fluorescence has no widely noticeable effect on the appearance of diamonds. Not only this, but some observers prefer the look of diamonds that have fluorescence. It is only in a very rare 0.2% of diamonds that have fluorescence where the fluorescence causes the diamond to look hazy or milky. And don’t forget that a diamond can look milky and not have fluorescence. Milkiness is something that can afflict any diamond, regardless of its grade.
So if the look of the diamond isn’t affected by its fluorescence, and the rest of the diamond specs are great, it could be a really good buy. Why? Because purchasers have been so put off by the misinformation surrounding fluorescence that these diamonds are avoided in the market place. This of course drives the price down. So my advice? Take every diamond on its merits, and consider that diamond fluorescence may actually be a good thing!
