There are several features of a diamond, which are very difficult to detect for the untrained eye. While these do not affect the quality of diamonds, they do affect the price in a very significant way. Diamond fluorescence is one such feature.
Diamond fluorescence reduces the value of a diamond, but it leaves the quality of the stone untouched. The strange thing about diamond fluorescence is that it is possible to detect the presence of fluorescence only with years of experience. To the untrained eyes, it is detected only under ultraviolet rays.
Cause of Diamond Fluorescence
Diamonds are formed after millions of years of high pressure treatment underneath the Earth’s surface. The presence of certain elements in the diamond crystal structure determines the type of diamonds that they are. However, the presence of certain additional compounds is what imparts color and fluorescence to diamonds. The elements that make a diamond fluoresce include boron, nitrogen, and aluminum, and they give a magnificent glow to the stone.
According to the composition of the stone, the fluorescence could be present in different shades such as pink, green, white, blue, orange, and yellow. In case of colorless diamonds, fluorescence will appear as a blue or yellowish tint.
Different Levels of Fluorescence
Due to the availability of different kinds of fluorescence, the GIA has developed different scales to categorize the illumination of diamonds. These categories are None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong. You can detect the fluorescence of diamonds by illuminating them with ultraviolet radiation. If you do not have access to UV radiation, you can also use a black light to gauge the effect.
Remember that only 35% of stones available today have fluorescence and only 10% of those have fluorescence that is detectable under ultraviolet light.
Effects of Diamond Fluorescence
Most diamond retailers will tell you that the presence of diamond fluorescence will reduce their price. This is because it is considered a negative trait in the diamond industry. However, you have to remember that the fluorescence can be detected by an untrained eye only under ultraviolet lighting. Furthermore, a diamond with a strong fluorescence will appear extremely faint under natural light.
Moreover, according to the color and the glow of the sparkler, fluorescence may sometimes contribute to the color of the stone. Therefore, sometimes diamond fluorescence may end up adding value to the stone.