What is diamond fluorescence and should you care about it?
Fluorescence is a natural occurrence that can give some diamonds a special glow. The energy of visible light – in the form of photons – excites atoms of the diamond, and they reemit that light almost immediately – within about 10−8 seconds. Unlike phosphorescence, which requires additional excitation and causes a glowing effect that can ...
How does fluorescence impact a diamond?
Fluorescence can have a negative effect on higher colored stones, such as those graded D, E and F. At times, diamonds with very strong blue fluorescence can reveal an oily, milky, hazy or grayish look, dulling or darkening the diamond. For this reason, With Clarity doesn't carry very strong blue diamonds.22 thg 4, 2020.
How does fluorescence affect a diamond's price?
The effect on price varies depending on the degree of fluorescence, diamond color, and clarity. For example, according to the chart, an E color diamond of VS1 clarity and Strong Fluorescence will tend to sell for 3-5% less than a like diamond with no fluorescence. Alternatively, a J color diamond of any clarity and Medium fluorescence will typically sell for up to 2% more than a like diamond with no fluorescence.
How does fluorescence affect my diamonds value?
- It is a common misbelief that a fluorescent diamond is of lower quality.
- Medium, Strong, or Very Strong fluorescence can cause milkiness or haziness which affects the transparency and overall beauty of the stone.
- The presence of fluorescence is not overly sought after in colorless diamonds (DEF) as it can detract from their natural purity.
Does fluorescence make a diamond more valuable?
While fluorescence never adds value, the appearance of some fluorescence in diamonds lower in color (say J-K-L and down) can actually fool the eye into seeing a better color than its GIA color grade shows.
Does fluorescence matter with diamonds?
Fluorescence is not a grading factor like the GIA 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight), but it is an identifying characteristic. GIA Diamond Grading Reports and Diamond Dossiers describe a diamond's fluorescence by its intensity under long-wave UV light (None, Faint, Medium, Strong and Very Strong).
Should I worry about diamond fluorescence?
In most cases fluorescence is simply an identifying characteristic and not a performance characteristic, and is therefore NEITHER good nor bad. In some cases, strong or very strong fluorescence can make a diamond appear cloudy, diminishing its transparency and eye appeal.
Do Tiffany diamonds have fluorescence?
Additionally, the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory will not accept stones exhibiting strong or excessive fluorescence, which, in natural lighting, can give diamonds a milky appearance.
What is the most common fluorescence color in a diamond?
The most common color for fluorescence is blue. It is not so much whether there is fluorescence but the degree of fluorescence that matters. MEDIUM and STRONG fluorescence can make 'off white' diamonds appear whiter and can make white diamonds look bluer.
Why are fluorescent diamonds cheaper?
Colorless diamonds, those with a color grade of D-F, are sold at a discount if they have a fluorescent glow underneath a UV light. This is because the fluorescence is seen as a flaw, so the diamond no longer holds the same value.
How can you tell if a diamond is fluorescent?
0:030:33Easy Way to Tell If a Diamond Is Real or Fake Using a Blacklight - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd hold the diamond in front of the blacklight. Most diamonds will reveal blue fluorescence under aMoreAnd hold the diamond in front of the blacklight. Most diamonds will reveal blue fluorescence under a blacklight therefore you'll see a blue reflection. Which means the diamond is real but remember
Why does my diamond glow in fluorescent light?
Diamonds glow in black lighting due to a phenomenon called fluorescence and roughly 35% of natural diamonds exhibit some degree of this effect. In nature, the presence of certain chemical impurities within the diamond's composition triggers this glowing effect in the presence of an ultraviolet light source.
Why do some of my diamonds glow under UV light?
Sometimes, tiny amounts of impurities in diamonds can cause them to glow or luminesce under UV light. UV diamond fluorescence occurs in about 35% of colorless (white) diamonds and can be faint or very strong. (Fluorescence is a type of glow that occurs almost immediately after exposure to UV light).
What does it mean if a diamond does not glow under UV light?
Here is how GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grades fluorescence. We also go over the general impact of the different levels. None: Diamond has no glow at all under UV light. Diamonds without any fluorescence are the purest and therefore, will usually be priced the highest.
How Does Fluorescence Affect Diamond Value?
Blue fluorescence can be found in 35% of naturally mined diamonds and it makes the stone glow under UV light. Outside of UV lighting environments, there are no visual differences between fluorescent and non-fluorescent diamonds.
Why did the FTC ban the use of the term "blue white"?
After the FTC banned the use of the term “blue-white” and grading reports started to include details like fluorescence ratings, the consumer’s perception changed. Buyers wanted to avoid diamonds that had anything ‘extra’ listed in the grading report; be it color, fluorescence or inclusions and this started to hurt the value of “blue-white” diamonds.
Why do diamonds look cloudy?
While it is true that “Strong” and “Very Strong” fluorescence can cause diamonds to look hazy, it only happens to a minority of stones. Due to irrational fear, the market prices them as if fluorescence is going to make every single diamond appear cloudy. For lower color grades, the price discounts are relatively flat across ...
How much discount do diamonds with fluorescence get?
However, there exists a big difference in pricing between these diamonds. In the industry, diamonds with fluorescence are usually traded at a 10-15% discount and can go as high as 25% for higher colored diamonds. Here’s a table to give you a rough idea of the discounts of different colored diamonds and their respective fluorescence strength.
Why do you want a diamond with fluorescence?
Not only do you get a better price point, but you can also get a whiter looking diamond with near colorless stones.
Why are the price discounts flat across the different color brackets?
For lower color grades, the price discounts are relatively flat across the different color brackets. Interestingly, the G and H color grades have smaller discounts for medium blue fluorescence. This is likely due to fluorescence being helpful in offsetting coloration present in near-colorless diamonds.
What is the impact of fluorescence on diamonds?
Before the 1970s and the advent of grading reports, fluorescence was the whole craze among diamond buyers because it was thought to enhance a diamond’s appearance.
