Diamond Fluorescence
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If you’re searching for the perfect diamond, then please contact me, and let me know your budget and what you’re looking for. I’ll sift through hundreds of thousands of diamonds and recommend the perfect stone for you and your budget. Unlike the other sites, I’m not looking to sell you anything – my advice is objective and in your best interest. You have nothing to lose and a larger diamond or saving hundreds of dollars to gain.
Bottom Line Recommendation: If your diamond is H, I, or J color, then look for a diamond with Medium Blue fluorescence for an added bonus – it can make your stone look slightly whiter. If not, your stone will still look great without it. If you are buying a diamond with a G or higher color, then find a diamond with either no fluorescence or faint fluorescence.
Diamond Fluorescence refers to how a diamond responds when subjected to ultra-violet light. UV light is what makes your whites look whiter, your teeth bright white, and your black-light posters glow. Some diamonds, when they are exposed to UV light, glow different colors. I’m not going to even try to explain why this is. If you’re interested, google diamond fluorescence, and I’m sure you’ll find more than enough information about the science behind the glow. 99% of the time, the glow is blue in color, but on rare occasions, the diamonds can glow white, yellow, green, or even red in color.
The story, however, doesn’t end here. After all, if the diamond only glows when exposed to UV light, it should naturally only matter if you are someone who spends their days in dark rooms with black-light lamps (dance clubs, rides at Disney World, etc). But the fact is, most diamonds exhibiting Strong Blue Fluorescence appear slightly to severly hazy in regular light.
If you’ve done your homework and googled diamond fluorescence, then you might have read about a certain GIA study claiming that even strong blue fluorescence is almost always entirely imperceptible to the average diamond consumer.
I can tell you with absolute certainty, that their research is bunk. I have seen tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of diamonds in my career and I can tell you without question the following:
- Strong/Very Strong Blue Fluorescent diamonds usually appear hazy
- Medium Blue Fluorescent diamonds rarely appear hazy
- Slight/Faint Blue Fluorescent diamonds never appear hazy
The study, though, does make one claim that is correct. Fluorescence will usually improve the appearance of color in the diamond. So as I suggested in my bottom line recommendation above, if you are buying a diamond with a color H or lower, seek out a diamond with Medium Blue Fluorescence. I am hesitant to suggest looking for a diamond with Strong Blue Fluorescence, since even lower colors can occasionally look milky and hazy when they have Strong Blue Fluorescence. I am also hesitant to suggest Medium Blue Fluorescence when purchasing a diamond with a very high color (G or better), since on rare occasions even a Medium Blue Fluorescent diamond can exhibit milkiness or haziness when the color is exceptionally high. If, of course, you are buying a diamond in person and not online, then it’s in your best interest to specifically ask for a diamond with Strong Blue Fluorescence. It will be cheaper and since you are there in person, you can see for yourself whether or not the diamond exhibits haziness or milkiness.
Despite the savings you might gain by buying a Strong Blue Fluorescent diamond, it will certainly still be cheaper for you to buy your diamond online and purchase either a Medium or lower fluorescence. Unfortunately, however, even James Allen with their advanced photography, cannot show you how the diamond will look face-up in direct sunlight.
If you have any questions, please post them in the comments below. I will usually respond within 24 hours.
Related posts:
- GIA Adds More Fluorescence Info on Certs
- Q&A: Questions regarding I Color and Fluorescence
- IGI vs. GIA Fluorescence
- Q&A: Princess Cut, Fluorescence & Sapphires
- Diamond Color
I recently brought a diamond solitaire on Blue Nile. It’s set to deliver in a couple of days but I realized the GIA report was online after I brought it. Now that I’ve looked over the report I’m kinda scared. It’s a 1.34, SI1, ideal cut, I color with medium blue fluorescence for a little over 7,000. I’m fine with the specs but after I saw the report and where the inclusion is, I’m worried. Can I have your opinion on this?
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD02417215
The report made the inclusion location and size quite big!
Hi billy. Unfortunately, GIA inclusions plots are completely useless in determining whether or not a diamond will be clean to the naked eye. If you want to know what’s really going on in the diamond, you need to see a picture. Here are two great I SI2 1.30s from JA with pictures:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1447033.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1450885.asp
is a 3.12 carat F colour SI1 triple excellent cut GIA certified and laser inscribed with a medium blue florecence at $60,000 australian dollars a good buy?
yes, very good.
I am looking at bluenile.ca, first off is this a good site to buy loose diamonds from?
I am looking at GIA .92, ideal cut, VS2, F color, with faint fluorescence. the price for the loose diamond is $6400.
Am i getting ripped off or is this a good price?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Ben. I generally tell people to avoid Blue Nile because of the lack of photographs. You’re not getting ripped off at that price for that particular stone. The issue, though, is that you don’t need to go for such a high color and clarity. Take a look at this video I just shot yesterday in NYC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_y44frw9I0
Only high quality pics like they have at JamesAllen.com allow you to go for a lower clarity because you can make sure to choose a nice one that will be eye clean. If you’d like some help choosing a stone, then just send us a request through our Contact Form. Let us know your budget and what shape you’re looking for.
Hi,
I need your urgent advice, am getting a 0.8 carat round diamond for solitaire setting and am about to choose between two options:
1. G colour with medium fluor
2. H colour with no fluor
The price between the two are very similar, with the G colour is actually about 2% cheaper. If money is not an issue, which one between these two will be better?
Assuming all else is equal, just go with the cheaper stone as you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Hi Ira, ao my understanding from your article is that if I’m buying a D diamond, it would be better if there’s no fluorescence at all right? Just to provide you with more info it’s a 0.85 ct, VS1, excellent cut, excellent polish and symmetry, and strong blue fluorescence. Thanks in advance for your time.
Yes, better to avoid fluorescence on a D color. But take a look at my article on clarity – I think you’re wasting money focusing on VS1. Plus, the premium for D is high. Go down to an F color. The difference isn’t really noticeable at all.
Hi Ira,
I’ve came across a GIA certified 1.5c diamond with setting selling at about USD$14,800.
The details I gotten so far are:
i. color: H
ii. cut: Very Good
iii. clarity: VS2
iv. polish: Very Good
v symmetry: Very good
vi. FL: none
Based on the information given, is it a good or the very least, a decent buy?
Thanks!
my apologies…
it’s SI2 & not VS2.. appreciate your advice.. thanks!
Hi Kenneth. That price is nothing special. I see cheaper similar stones on James Allen. Furthermore, you’ve got your priorities a bit mixed up. You’d be MUCH better off going for an Excellent cut and dropping down to an SI1 or SI2 that’s eye clean. Something like this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1450857.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452979.asp
These will actually look nicer than the stone you mentioned because of the better cut, and they’re more than $3000 cheaper!
well, the sales guy did say it was close to ideal cut.
another qn will be if I compromise on the color & push it to a J color, will the diamond be any less nice (if there’s such a word for it)?
my ideal budget’s actually below $10k for the diamond though i’m bursting my budget far far.. sigh..
These are the minimum requirements from my missus: 1.5c, white colour & bright and eye-clean.
I’ve walked to many shops to find something that hopefully fits her requirements and my budget, but in vain..
For your advice, pls!
Thanks!
Wow, I just noticed your other post. If it’s SI2 and not VS2, then it’s flat out a ripoff. That price is way way too high. See these SI2s to compare:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1450791.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1405198.asp
Those are VGs. I actually like the 2nd one. It looks like it’s really an EX cut, it just missed it because of the technicality that it got a Good grade for Polish (Ex cut needs a minimum of VG polish and symmetry). Anyway, it’s not a problem because you can’t tell the difference between Good, Very Good, and Excellent polish. They will all look the same to your eye.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the quick reply. The 2nd diamond is very nice, but it’s out of my budget.
Can I trouble you to help see any that’s cheaper, in the range of 8k? A minimum of 1.5c, white colour & bright and eye-clean.
Many thanks!
Sure thing. If you’re setting it in a solitaire, then a J color will be fine. Check these out:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452980.asp
(these are close to 1.50):
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1444561.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1443529.asp
Hi Mike, I saw your recommendations & definately looks great for the price! Unfortunately, the 1st recommendation is no longer available & the Missues is insistant that it has to be a 1.5c minimum, not a point less (I still can’t understand women, but that’s another story).
Will be continuing to keep my eyes peeled on it!
Thanks!
so if i am looking for a H-color, i should look to get a medium blue flourescent? if i end up getting a G-color, no/faint? is it worth going from H to G with respect to the brilliance and not taking money into account?
Don’t limit yourself to medium fluorescence because you’ll just end up rejecting great stones for no good reason. Just allow yourself to go up to medium fluorescence on an H and up to faint on a G or better.
would that medium flourescence look bluish in black light with the H-color?
If it was a very dark room and a very strong black light, it would look slightly blue.
Hi Ira another 4 pcs to compare, the 0.8H and 0.8I is the same price have not seen the actual diamond but seller said eye clean.
Most expensive is 0.8Evs2 and the cheapest is the 0.8FxxxI1 with the feather at the edge of the crown. i worry after a few knock it might crack..for the 0.8F I1 although its cheap.
0.81F I1
5.94-5.98×3.71mm
cut: Excellent
clarity: Feather
polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
FL: NONE
Depth: 62.3%
Table: 55 %
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Girdle: Medium, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
0.80I Si1
5.92-5.95×3.68mm
cut: Excellent
clarity: Cloud, Crystal
polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
FL: NONE
Depth: 62.1%
Table: 58 %
Crown Angle: 35.°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 41.0%
Girdle: Thick, Faceted (4.0%)
Culet: None
0.80H Si1
5.96-6.01×3.66mm
cut: Excellent
clarity: Cloud, Crystal, Feather
polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
FL: Medium Blue
Depth: 61.1%
Table: 57 %
Crown Angle: 33.0°
Crown Height: 14.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Girdle: Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
0.81E Vs2
5.82-5.86×3.71mm
cut: Very Good
clarity: Twinning wisp
polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
FL: Faint
Depth: 63.5%
Table: 60 %
Crown Angle: 36.5°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Girdle: Thick, Faceted (5.0%)
Culet: None
I’m sorry, but there’s really no way for me to add anything without pictures!
Hi Ira, hope u can help fast
I am considering one of this, for an engagement ring. of course the G is cheaper.
0.81E Vs2
5.82-5.86×3.71mm
cut: Very Good
clarity: Twinning wisp
polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
FL: Faint
Depth: 63.5%
Table: 60 %
Crown Angle: 36.5°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Girdle: Thick, Faceted (5.0%)
Culet: None
OR
0.80 G Si1 Round Brilliant
5.91- 5.93×3.72mm
cut: Excellent
clarity: Crystal,Twinning Wisp,Feather
polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
FL: NONE
Depth: 62.8%
Table: 55 %
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Girdle: Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
On the surface, without knowing the prices or seeing pictures, I like the G better. What are the prices?
13k for 0.81E and 0.8G is 11k..
Looks like the G got sold off…:(
but is the E a good piece? table wise and depth?..is it too deep?
That price you listed is INSANELY expensive. Compare with this: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1445019.asp
im sorry those prices are in my currency, if its in USD.
But diamonds in my country is expensive unlike the US
0.8G 3,492.62 USD
0.81E 4,130.26 USD
Only problem is 0.8G is not stock in hand, once ordered cannot be returned. where else 0.8E is in hand
sorry, it should be 2.09 carats, not 20.9.
I figured