At Lee Read Diamonds, we are frequently asked the question, "why do some of my diamonds glow when they are in black light?" This is a common occurrence when visiting a nail salon, or playing laser tag at Wahooz. It is completely natural for a diamond to fluoresce and appear blue under UV light.
There is a lot of misinformation about fluorescence in natural diamonds, and it can either be a good or a bad thing, depending on the quality of the diamond. At Lee Read Diamonds, we specialize in exceptional natural diamonds that have amazing fluorescence and light return. Diamonds with fluorescence will often have a slight blue hue in natural daylight and are among the most beautiful diamonds in the world. They look stunning when set in engagement rings, diamond wedding bands, earrings, and necklaces.
These are some common questions we get about diamond fluorescence:
When Is Diamond Fluorescence A Bad Thing?
Many internet experts claim that fluorescence is bad, but that's not always true. Fluorescence is detrimental to average or below-average diamonds that have a slightly cloudy appearance because it can make them look blurry or oily. Since low-priced average to below-average diamonds makes up approximately 95% of the natural diamonds sold online, purchasing one with fluorescence, without seeing it in person first, is not recommended.
Why Do Most Internet Experts Say Fluorescence Is Bad?
Most internet experts advise against buying diamonds with fluorescence because the majority of diamonds available for sale online are average to below-average in quality and may have slight cloudiness. In these types of diamonds, fluorescence can actually create a blurry or oily effect, making the stone look even worse. However, it's important to note that fluorescence itself is not a bad thing and can actually enhance the beauty of high-quality natural diamonds with exceptional transparency, strong fluorescence, and an exceptional cut. At Lee Read Diamonds, we specialize in exceptional natural diamonds with stunning fluorescence that add a unique and beautiful aspect to our natural diamond jewelry. When you're shopping for a unique diamond engagement ring, at a local jewelry store don't hesitate to ask the salesperson to show you fluorescent diamonds. If they can't, it indicates that they don't know much about diamonds.
When Is Diamond Fluorescence a Good Thing?
Diamond fluorescence can be a desirable feature in some natural diamonds. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, fluorescence causes some diamonds to emit a soft blue glow. For certain diamonds, this effect can enhance their overall appearance and beauty. Strong fluorescence in a diamond can sometimes offset other visual imperfections, such as cloudiness or a yellow tint, and make the diamond appear more transparent and whiter. It all depends on the type of diamond you are looking at. We recommend always viewing your diamonds with your own eyes, especially when it comes to fluorescence. Additionally, we will even show you what your diamond will look like in the natural sunlight so that you get the full feel of its remarkable, appearance. In fact, a few of our rare diamonds from Fire & Ice, our highest-graded natural diamonds in cut, proportions, and light performance have spectacular fluorescence.
Whether it has fluorescence or not, knowing what your diamond looks like in person is the best way to decide if it's the one for you. We are located just off the Meridian exit of I-84. Come in today and see how beautiful a crystal clear, fluorescent natural diamond can be and test your new-found knowledge so that when someone asks about that cool blue light coming from your diamonds, you will be the expert.