Diamond Fluorescence – A Touch of Beauty
Fluorescence is the property of a substance which makes them appear to change colour or glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Diamond fluorescence is the characteristic property of diamonds to appear to have changed their colour when exposed to ultraviolet light that surrounds us every day in the form of sunlight and in the light produced by fluorescent light tubes. Diamond fluorescence was originally used in diamond certifications as additional information for identification but later it began to affect the value of the diamonds. Diamond grading is a method to reveal whether or not a diamond fluoresces. If it does, it also gives us the extent of the fluoresce as faint, weak, strong or very strong. This method is also used to detect the colour of the fluoresce that is generally one among blue, white or yellow.
Diamond Fluorescence: Appearances
Fluorescence affects diamonds and the way they look under ultraviolet light. For example, a yellow diamond with a blue fluorescence may look attractive under ultraviolet light but when viewed under normal lights it shows its true yellow colour which might be surprisingly different from the blue tinge. Most diamond fluorescence is subtle. They are not seen as a true change in colour but just as a shift in the tone of the colour. In case of diamond ornaments containing multiple diamonds, it may seem out of proportion if some diamonds fluoresce some other colour but others do not.
Diamond fluorescence affects the pricing of diamonds to a large extent. A yellow fluorescence in a diamond tends to bring down its price since yellow tinted diamonds are less attractive than white ones. Similarly a blue fluorescence can help increase the price of a diamond. Generally fluorescence adds value to a diamond as it gives a more whiter, brighter appearance by offsetting the yellow tone with the blue tone. Generally, higher the quality and price per carat, the more strong fluorescence lowers value. Some retailers say that diamond fluorescence is bad and negative but many customers actually prefer diamonds with fluorescence.
Diamond Fluorescence: Grades
There are different grades of diamond fluorescence. Some diamonds have extremely strong grading and appear oily or cloudy. The milkiness or cloudiness is not desired but they are found to be very rare. Diamonds may look dark in direct sunlight. Fluorescence makes them look lively and bright with no reduction in brightness or fire. Rarely diamonds fluoresce some other colours like yellow or orange. Colourless diamonds with yellow or orange fluorescence appear to be a lower colour when seen in ultraviolet light. When ultraviolet light is turned off, fluorescence ceases immediately. But some diamonds like the Hope diamond exhibits phosphorescence. They phosphoresce after exposure to shortwave ultraviolet light but do not exhibit fluorescence during exposure to shortwave or long wave ultraviolet light. This unique property adds mystery to these incredible diamonds.
Diamond fluorescence enhances the beauty of a diamond if the fluorescence is of the same tinge as the diamond itself.
