Diamond Fluorescence: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

Let’s talk about bling. If you are an enthusiast of diamonds, this will be right up your alley. 

If you have mastered the 4C’s of diamonds, then great job! We will be diving a bit further into learning about diamonds more than the 4C’s you already know.

You might come around two diamonds of the same characteristics undercut, carat, color, and clarity. Everything shows they are the same; however, their prices are different. It is most likely because of a diamond’s fluorescence. 

What is Diamond Florescence?

Diamond fluorescence is how diamonds glow or emit a bluish light when exposed to long-wave ultraviolet (UV) rays. It would occur in about 35% of colorless or white diamonds. 95% of diamonds would emit this bluish glow that can be faint or very strong. This glow results in a whiter-than-usual appearance in sunlight because it cancels out the yellowish color in most diamonds. Yellow and orange light can sometimes be seen emitted on diamonds, although this is considered a rare sight. 

It does not impact the appearance of a diamond in any way that is visible to the naked eye, so people will not know the difference unless everyone with diamonds is gathered and put under UV light.

Is blue the only fluorescent color? 

The color blue is the most common color for diamond fluorescence. However, this is not limited to the bluish-hue color. Because blue is a complementary color of yellow, which is slightly a diamond's hue of colors, it would appear whiter under the sun. 

Yellow is another color that could show in a diamond under UV rays. It is not common like the blue hue. Like how it is a complementary color of blue, it works the opposite of how blue fluorescent diamonds work. They are best seen indoors with lesser UV rays. People use this trick to know the best diamond for them. The blue hues are for the outdoorsy people, while the yellow hues are for the home buddies. 

Meanwhile, rarer fluorescence colors are green, magenta, and red. These colors may make a diamond appear darker. 

How is it graded? 

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) diamond report provides a fluorescence grading system that most jewelers follow. In this report, fluorescence focuses on the intensity of the diamond’s reaction to long-wave UV (an essential component of daylight). 

The higher the fluorescence in a diamond, the lower its price. A diamond color grade of D-F is sold at a discounted price if they have a fluorescent glow under a UV light. Check out yourdiamond jewelry options atGold Presidents now while it is hot.

How do you know if your diamond has fluorescence?

Lucky for those with a diamond report for their jewelry to have all the information at hand. However, for those who do not have one, you can improvise and check for yourself if your diamond has fluorescence. 

Fact-check your diamonds by following the simple steps below. 

1. Use white light.

Turning your diamond under white light like your lamp at home and finding the right angle that would show its most brilliance, you could identify the bluish hue on the facets of the diamond. It would be hard for beginners with a sharp eye is essential to decipher the different colors. 

     2. Use Black Light.

Blacklight, the light used in a dance club that makes your teeth glow, is often used in the bank to check if money is fake. You can use this on your diamond as well. A simple observation is needed here. If your diamond glows, it has fluorescents. The stronger the glow, the stronger the fluorescence.

     3. Check if your diamond appears cloudy.

Diamonds cloudy from fluorescence will have utterly different characteristics compared to those that are cloudy because of grease that needs your cleaning. 

Fluorescent diamonds will look cloudy and dark upon close inspection.

Is it worth buying? 

It is a subjective matter. It would depend entirely on the person purchasing the diamond. Choosing whether a diamond has fluorescence is up to you as a buyer. Technically it is neither good nor bad. 

Whether you want to think this through, let’s go over the pros and cons of your diamond fluorescence. 

Its main advantage is being cost-friendly. It is suitable for those on a tight budget for diamond shopping. It creates an opportunity for you to opt for a diamond with greater 4C characteristics and perhaps even bigger than you planned. 

A disadvantage of this is the blue tint to it. It is not for those who are picky with color grading in diamonds. A “Very Strong” grade in fluorescence should be avoided if you do not like to have the color of your diamonds warped.

But remember, A diamond that fluoresces still is the same as one with no reaction to UV. Fluorescents do not in any way weaken or are bad for a diamond. It is all a matter of personal choice. You, do you.