The amount of luminosity emitted by a diamond
- For a less expensive diamond that only sacrifices a little on diamond color – look for a diamond weak or medium fluorescence.
- When money is not an issue, the best diamonds have no fluorescence.
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Diamond Fluorescence: The Finer Factors That Make A Great Diamond.
About 1/3 of diamonds have fluorescence, which is the innate ability of a diamond to transfer an invisible light, such as ultraviolet light, into a visible wavelength. The best way to detect the visible effects of diamond fluorescence is under specific ultraviolet light.
Diamonds Viewed Under Ultraviolet Light
Side View - 1. Very Strong Fluorescence to 5. No Fluorescence
Top View
- 1. Very Strong Fluorescence to 5. No Fluorescence
There is a whole science on diamond fluorescence – basically in a nutshell: a strong or very strong fluorescence grade can enhance a near colorless grade of diamond to look even whiter under natural light. However, in some instances, a diamond with very strong fluorescence can lend the diamond a slightly hazy or oily appearance, which can have a negative effect on the price of a diamond.
Approximate % Price Change From Non-Fluorescent Diamonds* |
Color |
Blue Fluorescence |
IF-VVS |
VS |
SI-I3 |
D, E |
Very Strong |
-10% to -15% |
-6% to -10% |
0 to -3% |
|
Strong |
-7% to -10% |
-3% to -5% |
0 to -1% |
|
Medium |
-3% to -7% |
-1% to 2% |
0 |
|
Weak |
0 |
0 |
0 |
F, G, H |
Very Strong |
-7% to -10% |
-3% to -5% |
0 |
|
Strong |
-5% to -7% |
-2% to -3% |
0 |
|
Medium |
-1% to -3% |
0 to -2% |
0 |
|
Weak |
0 |
0 |
0 |
I, J, K |
Very Strong |
0 to 3% |
0 to 3% |
0 to 3% |
|
Strong |
0 to 2% |
0 to 2% |
0 to 3% |
|
Medium |
0 to 2% |
0 to 2% |
0 to 2% |
|
Weak |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Some customers may seek this characteristic, and others may avoid it. In our experience, most people choose a slightly to moderately fluorescent diamond over a stone with no fluorescence, with the added feature that it may cost slightly less.
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