Have you identified a diamond that you would like to buy? If yes, you should consider different factors before investing in it. The problem with some buyers is that they judge whether a diamond is fake or real based on how it glows in different light conditions.
Rather than doing this, you should understand all the facts about diamonds before purchasing one. That is where we come in. We created this post to help you discover why diamonds glow in the dark. You will also learn what this means to you as a buyer by the end of the post.
Do real diamonds glow in the dark?
The sparkle of diamonds is one of the things that make them quite captivating. Though some real diamonds glow in low light conditions, not all do.
The ability of a diamond to glow in such conditions is called fluorescence. When some real diamonds are subjected to a dark room with UV light, they can emit a certain glow.
This glow may come in different colors, such as blue, yellow, green, or orange. According to the Gemological Institute of America, more than 30% of diamonds have a level of fluorescence. This has nothing to do with whether the diamond is real or fake.
Do lab-created diamonds glow in the dark?
While some of the diamonds come from the earth, others are lab-created. Due to advanced technologies, scientists can now manufacture diamonds and meet the demands of jewelry in the industry. Since lab-created diamonds have a lot of identical properties to naturally mined ones, some of them tend to glow.
Lab-created diamonds can also glow just like mined ones since they contain submicroscopic structures. A lab-created diamond that contains impurities like nitrogen will likely glow in the dark.
Unlike natural diamonds, lab-created ones display rare colors of fluorescence when subjected to UV light, such as light blue, white, or orange-yellow.
The lab-created diamonds are classified into two categories, namely Type IIa and Type IIb. Those that have a considerable amount of boron that fall under the Type IIb category also glow in less light. The Type IIb lab-created diamonds glow when exposed to UV light.
This glow can continue for a few seconds or minutes when the diamond is no longer exposed to UV light. This is what is referred to as phosphorescence. Though phosphorescence is related to fluorescence, it is not the same.
Do fake diamonds glow in the dark?
When buying diamonds, you should learn how to spot fake ones to avoid wasting your money. Some people assume that fluorescence is a factor that can help one determine whether diamonds are fake or not. This is wrong since both real and some fake diamonds can glow in the dark.
Note that not every fake diamond will glow in dim areas. If a certain gemstone does not glow in areas with less light, it would be inaccurate to assume that it is fake since it could fall under the category of naturally mined diamonds that lack fluorescence.
Therefore, you should avoid judging a diamond’s authenticity by focusing only on fluorescence.
A professional appraisal is the only sure way to guarantee the authenticity of diamonds. If you are trying to determine this, you should look for an experienced and certified gemologist who can help find out whether diamonds are real or fake.
You can also tell the difference between a real and fake diamond by focusing on its quality.
Focus on the four c’s that the Gemological Institute of America defines when comparing diamonds.
These include carat, cut, clarity, and color. You should also ensure that you are working with a reputable jeweler to avoid buying a fake diamond.
Why does my diamond glow in the dark?
Fluorescence
This is the main phenomenon that makes diamonds glow in the dark. When a diamond is subjected to ultraviolet light, it discharges it.
UV radiation is often common in black lighting conditions such as a nightclub. It can also come from fluorescent bulbs or lamps.
If a diamond falls under the very strong category of fluorescence intensity, it may appear blurry when viewed under intense sunlight.
If you are shopping for a diamond and come across a fluorescent one, you should compare it with a non-fluorescent one to gauge whether you notice any difference in clarity and color.
Chemical impurities
When the diamond contains specific chemical impurities, it is likely to glow when subjected to UV light.
Some of the impurities that can cause this include aluminum, nitrogen, and boron. The concentration of the chemical elements in a diamond can affect how much it can glow in the dark.
Since a diamond’s chemical impurities can lower its value, you can find a diamond that glows in the dark at a cheaper cost than one that does not.
This can be a good thing when you want to buy a diamond and are on a budget. Note that the chemical impurities in the structure of a diamond may not negatively affect its strength and hardness.
It is lab created
We mentioned that some diamonds are made in the lab. Such diamonds have similar chemical and identical properties as natural diamonds.
They are made under controlled lab conditions instead of being mined from the earth’s surface. Some of the lab-created diamonds tend to glow in areas with less light.
It is a Type IIb diamond
Diamonds belong to two groups. Those that fall under the type IIb category glow in the dark. Such diamonds often glow for a while. The glow color can be blue, fiery red, or pink.
Such diamonds glow in low light conditions once they absorb light. Though such diamonds are quite stunning, they can be rare.
What does it mean when a diamond glows in the dark?
Diamond is a form of crystallized carbon. While some people think that a diamond glowing in the dark is bad, others feel it is good. When a diamond glows in the dark, it means that it contains traces of other minerals in it.
When the crystallization process occurs, some elements present in the earth, such as boron and nitrogen, are left in the diamond, leading to fluorescence.
Fluorescence varies by strength. According to the GIA grading reports, it can be very strong, strong, medium, faint, or none.
When buying a diamond, you should pay attention to fluorescence in the same way you approach other characteristics of a diamond. Before buying one, you can ask the jeweler to let you assess it under different light conditions.
Understanding the difference between fluorescence and clarity is also important when you buy a diamond. Most diamonds with strong fluorescence tend to appear foggier than those with faint fluorescence.
Conclusion
Though all diamonds have an attractive sparkle, not all of them glow in the dark. Those that glow are known as fluorescent diamonds.
Diamonds with fluorescence have their advantages and disadvantages. Though some of them look hazy, they are cheaper.
If you are shopping for diamonds, you should not only pay attention to fluorescence.
Note that cut quality is the one that determines the brilliance of a diamond and not its ability to glow in low light conditions.
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.