Fancy Pink Diamond Question

[kroshka]

Does anyone know about how blue fluorescence affects the value and color of a natural fancy pink diamond? I''ve heard that it can sometimes help the face up color in certain lighting conditions (make the color more attractive), but was wondering if it had a negative or positive impact on value/price.

 

[RockDoc]

Date: 2/20/2006 7:16:50 PM
Author:kroshka
Does anyone know about how blue fluorescence affects the value and color of a natural fancy pink diamond? I''ve heard that it can sometimes help the face up color in certain lighting conditions (make the color more attractive), but was wondering if it had a negative or positive impact on value/price.

It''s a stone by stone determination issue.

The stone needs to be looked at in a daylight environment that does have UV in it, then a piece of lexan is put between the light ahd the stone, to be able to observe if there is an effectual change in the body color. The color grading of the stone should be done without any effect of UV. The grading needs to be based on whether or not there is an affect in its appearance due to fluoresence. If there is, then a consideration can be made as to whether it is a detriment or a plus.

Natural Pink diamonds are pretty expensive, and I would not advise you to buy one with out a proper GIA Color Origin and grading report.

Rockdoc

 

[kroshka]

Thanks for the info RockDoc. Yes, the stone I am considering does have a GIA report. I''ve come across some natural fancy pink diamonds that have no fluorescence and some that do and was wondering what the difference was and how it affected the stones value/price.

Do you have any examples that you could share to explain or illustrate how blue fluorescence can be a plus or a detriment?

I know that it is best to see the stone with your own eyes in different lighting conditions, but seeing as to how I''m not an expert and happened to notice that some have flourescence and others that don''t, it would be helpful to be able to learn more before making a purchasing decision.

 

[RockDoc]

I don''t have any examples.... but I will give you a sort of "by the seat of the pants opinion.

If a pink stone were to have a pure pink color that is desireable. If the blue fluorescence causes to make the stone look purplish rather the pure pink the would be a negative. Use the lexan test to see this (Sunlight is good for this test). If the stone appears to have purer hue of pink, and you can see that in the sun, but not with the Lexan, that would likely be a plus.

Does the report have a "modifying color mentioned" example would be Light Purplish Pink, Light Brownish Pink etc.?

With the expense/cost of these stones, having an expert in fancy color diamond evaluation is very helpful.

Rockdoc

 

[valeria101]

Date: 2/20/2006 7:16:50 PM
Author:kroshka

I''ve heard that it can sometimes help the face up color in certain lighting conditions ...

Me too... apparently, this may have something to do with harsher color grading for the stones with fluorescence... as if GIA''s graders would be instructed to err on the safe side with these stones. But this is a sentence about the reputation of fluorescence in any fancy not pink in particular and it may well be a trade myth. For yellow I would tend to agree based on one or two examples. Pink? I wish I knew. Either way, the observation is about looks not prices - pretty much as it is the case with fluorescence in colorless diamonds - whether you see it or not, it still is discounted. And whether fluorescence affects or not the looks of a fancy color diamonds... whatever does to the price is yet another question. Given that pink diamonds are not available by the bucket, there should be some room for case-by-case evaluation.

IMO, second Perry - ask an expert about the particular stone you are considering. Compared to the cost of anything pink, the cost of appraisal is quite puny.

My 2c

 

[kroshka]

The stones I have have been considering are indeed with GIA reports and are "natural fancy pink" - no modifying colors.

In regards getting an experts fancy color diamond evaluation, is this something you do RockDoc? Other than Stephen Hofer, I am have not come across many appraisers that are qualified to appraise or evaluate such gems. I''ve tried to research it a bit, but have not had much luck.

 

[kroshka]

Bumping this thread - anyone know of an expert fancy color diamond appraiser that they could recommend in the US? I''ve checked out icestore.com as since sell fancy colored diamonds, but I don''t think that they offer appraisal service (and they are selling diamonds anyway, and thus not an independent opinion).

 

[RockDoc]

Kroshka

I think you need to understand what you really wish for here.

If you''re talking about a gemological analysis, on this stone...particularly if your primary issue is about the affect of the blue fluoresence, yes I feel comfortable doing that for you.

As far as an appraisal, while gemological analysis is certainly a meaningful part of this, most appraisers, INCLUDING myself do not see such items on a regular basis, but the monetary value opinion can be based on the appearance and gemological report from the GIA.

Stephen Hoefer is probably the most authoritative source and expert on fancy colored diamonds.

Depending on how large or expensive and notable this stone you''re considering is, I suppose you also might consider having the AGTA Lab analyze it as well. They have about the most equipment necessary to test all the very special qualities of such a stone, and if it is a pricey stone, and you''re willing to pay the fees they charge ( not cheap ) it would possibly be an advantage to have GIA''s report, AGTA''s report and the one from Stephen Hoefer as well.

Ask the seller if he know the origin of this stone too ( where it was mined) as that can have some significance as well.

Hope this helps.

Rockdoc