Do natural diamonds really glow? It has to be the laboratory or synthetic ones. Don’t you think so? As this is something unfathomable.
Before we go any further, I’ll define what a natural diamond is so that we can spot the differences between the iridescent glows and the natural diamonds.
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All you need to know natural diamonds
Diamonds are defined as the hardest substance known to man. They are colourless, very hard, crystalline minerals made of pure carbon, or a figure with four equal sides with small angles on the top and bottom and wider angles on the sides.
Additionally, diamonds are rare and natural gemstones that are expensive and exquisite. It also is measured in karat.
As one of the most desired gemstones, diamonds remain the top tier natural gemstones. For example, it is the preferred gift for wedding anniversaries, engagement rings, and even earrings.
And if you are so impressed with natural diamonds, wait until you hear about the iridescent or glowing diamonds.
You will definitely get yourself a few or as a gift for a friend, a family member or a lover.
We are sure of it.
Five Misconceptions of Glowing Diamonds
- Because it glows, then they might come off as eerie and many may believe it is haunted. This is not so. But if you are a Halloween lover and like a little all year spook, then this gem is for you.
- You might be thinking it is a knock off version or an unreal gemstone because of its glow. And that is not the case as glowing diamonds are natural diamonds.
- It is also believed that glowing diamonds take away from the natural quality of the gemstones. This means that it will not sparkle and shine really. But the sparkle and brilliance are determined by the cut of the diamond and not the diamond’s ability to glow.
- It is not radioactive in any way and it won’t cause your death.
- Many people seem to believe that the fluorescence of the diamond will adversely impact the durability of the gemstone. While fluorescence is caused by chemical impurities in the diamond’s lattice structure, it doesn’t weaken the diamond’s hardness or strength.
I hope this has cleared up all misconceptions. But at the end of it all, the personal preference is yours is to be made.
What are glowing diamonds?
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Glowing Diamonds are natural diamonds. The glowing of diamonds happens or occurs when particular trace elements are present in a diamond. These elements become excited by ultraviolet light or x-rays, causing them to emit their own visible light.
This process is a phenomenon known as fluorescence. Typically, diamond fluorescence is scaled as faint, medium, strong or very strong. Its primarily seen as blue. But there are diamonds which fluoresce in other colours as well.
What are the colours of glowing diamonds?
As mentioned earlier, diamonds contain several chemical elements with different concentrations, and this becomes responsible for the intensity and its various colours.
As such, diamonds fluorescence appear in many different colours such as yellow, white, orange, red, and green. However, the most consistent colour is blue.
To name a few, here are some examples of the conditions of glowing diamonds: Milky, Oily, and Hazy.
What are the benefits of a glowing diamond ?
These diamonds are not man made or falsely coloured diamonds, the iridescent of diamonds can help solve or identify authentic looking or fake diamonds. This is because authentic diamonds are expensive, and the market is saturated with fake ones.
Another benefit of glowing diamonds is that you will be able to get it at a reduced cost. This is because the quality of the diamond will appear hazy or cloudy. However, this does not mean the diamond is less authentic.
So, if you are pressed for cash and still want a genuine diamond, then choose the glowing ones. However, if you have the money to spend, then get the rare and exquisite ones with the quality of the sun. Spotless and glowing.
Another benefit of buying a diamond with iridescence is that it can help improve the colour appearance of diamonds in the lower colour ranges. For example, Blue Iridescence can help a diamond look whiter by counteracting the yellowish tint.
For instance, it can be considered as giving the diamond a face lift. In other words, it can improve the face up view by half to one whole grade higher.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours to be made based on personal preferences. I am simply here to inform and not to impose or dictate.
What is phosphorescence glow and how does it differ from fluorescence glow that is found in many diamonds?
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In simple terms, phosphorescence is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is released relatively slowly in the form of light. In some cases, this is the mechanism used for glow-in-the-dark materials which are “charged” by exposure to light.
However, fluorescence defines the emission of light by a mineral such as a diamond while exposed under certain types of light, such as ultraviolet light.
As such, they are not the same and the difference between the two is that the glow from the fluorescence does not last long, while the glow from the phosphorescence lingers.
So, in other words, if the glow disappears immediately, it’s fluorescence, and if it lingers, then it’s phosphorescence.
Is it only natural diamonds that glow or do fake diamonds glow too?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and the nuisance to your exclusive natural glowing diamonds. But lab grown or synthetic diamonds do glow as well.
Here is the reason for synthetic or lab made diamonds having a glow.
Lab grown diamonds can show fluorescence as well and this is as a result of the sub-microscopic structures within the crystal. This only happens during the growing process of the diamonds.
Similar to natural diamonds, blue fluorescence is the most commonly observed colour in lab diamonds due to the presence of nitrogen impurities.
Based on the specific method and alloys that are used in the cultivation process, lab diamonds can display rarer colours of fluorescence like orange-yellow or white compared to natural diamonds.
I hope by the time you are through reading this article you will see and know the ones that glow. You might even expand your diamond collection or make a new one with iridescent diamonds whether natural or laboratory made.
With that said, here is a list of the conditions of the glowing diamonds: milky, oily, and hazy.
The diamonds appear either milky, oily, or hazy when ultraviolet rays are present in the environment.
Milky Fluorescent Diamond
Let us begin with milky fluorescent diamonds as you might be thinking is this milk of magnesia or thinking about a Got Milk commercial featuring diamonds.
Milky fluorescent diamonds normally have strong or very-strong blue fluorescence. And this is due to oversaturation of the chemical element, boron.
When these diamonds come in contact with ultraviolet light, they glow with a more opaque, milky like purple sheen. Diamonds of this quality were nicknamed “overblues.”
Oily Fluorescent Diamonds
Oily fluorescent diamonds appear potently blue in strong sunlight. For instance, when the daylight ultraviolet rays are saturated the diamond has an overblue appearance.
This is a result of the significant dispersion of light, and this takes on the appearance of oil shining on the surface of a puddle.
Hazy or Cloudy Fluorescent Diamonds
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A cloudy diamond has multiple elements that make it appear hazy in some parts or all of the diamond. For instance, multiple smaller inclusions are clustered together and can cause the diamond to look foggy or dull.
Without looking keenly at a particular diamond, it’s difficult to know what has caused the cloudiness. However, the nature and severity of the inclusions impact how cloudy or clear a diamond appears, especially for lower graded clarity diamonds.
To note, cloud inclusions are made up of three or more crystal inclusions—that can make a diamond appear hazy. But that is not the only inclusion that makes diamonds appear hazy or cloudy.
It can be other types of inclusions like feathers and twinning wisps that can cloud the diamond.
Final Thoughts
Whether it is good or bad, the fluorescence does affect the appearance of the diamond.
This is a reminder that all diamonds have imperfections and impurities. On one hand, some contain more noticeable flaws, while on the other hand, some have blemishes that are more hidden.
Whether it is cloudy, hazy, oily, or milky diamonds, the choice is yours despite the diamonds having those default effects.
But remember that these diamonds do not always come with problems as it sometimes, not always.
Reminders:
We are at the end of the article. Hooray. Here is a refresher of everything that was spoken about as it is that time again. So grab your brain cells, notepad, pen or pencil to take notes.
As mentioned, diamonds are rare and exquisite gemstones. However, the qualities of diamonds differ based on the impurities or inclusions due to the exposure of fluorescence in UV lights.
These can change the appearance of the diamonds from milky, to oily, to cloudy or hazy. The quality of these fluorescence diamonds can be mild, faint or strong and this somewhat affect the pricing and the overall quality.
Nonetheless. This article has cleared up all the supposed fears about glowing diamonds all while highlighting the pros and the cons and distinguishing between fluorescence and phosphorescence glow.