"Let's Shed Some Light on Diamond Fluorescence: What You Need to Know!"

Dear readers,

Today, I want to discuss a topic that is largely unknown but extremely important in the evaluation of a diamond: fluorescence.

What is fluorescence?

It is a reaction phenomenon that occurs in a diamond when it is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This reaction consists of the diamond emitting light, usually blue in color.

Is fluorescence present in all diamonds?

Absolutely not. It is a characteristic of the diamond that may or may not be present. Like all other characteristics of this marvelous stone, its presence is influenced by the processes during the diamond's creation and the environment in which this process occurs.

Is fluorescence always the same, or does it have different grades?

As clearly illustrated by the table below, fluorescence has different levels of intensity, which must be evaluated and determined by a professional gemologist through the observation of the stone exposed to UV light. It starts with a grade of "NONE," meaning no reaction, where the stone remains inert under UV exposure. "FAINT" indicates a weak reaction, and it increases in intensity up to "STRONG" or even "VERY STRONG," where the stone exhibits such a strong fluorescence reaction that it lights up like a bulb.

That said, let's move on to another very important question to conclude our discussion:

Can fluorescence change or influence the color of a diamond?

The answer is yes, and to fully understand this, we need to recall some notions about primary colors from our childhood. In fact, a well-accentuated blue fluorescence can reduce some yellow tones present in the stone. As you may know, a yellow tone in a diamond's color is detrimental, as it lowers its position on the color grading scale.

So, given these premises, is fluorescence a positive thing for a diamond and its evaluation?

The answer may surprise you, given what we have just discussed, but fluorescence is a negative characteristic in the evaluation of a diamond. Although some people might find it appealing, gemologists are unfortunately required to deduct from the final value of the stone if it exhibits fluorescence.

Dear readers, I hope I have answered all your questions and curiosities about this topic. We will talk again soon, always with new topics!