Unless otherwise indicated, should fluorescence ratings on certificates be considered ''blue''?

[niceguymr]

I''ve read the entire GIA report on fluorescence along with hundreds of other posts on PS on this subject. It seems that the only desireable fluor is ''blue'' but there are others that exist. If a certificate says ''faint'' (for example), should it be assume that the fluor is ''blue''?

 

[belle]

it is never safe to assume anything!

with ''faint'' fluorescence, you will not notice any effects with your naked eye. only under unique lighting conditions (like blacklight) will you be able to detect the fluor.

 

[JulieN]

no. it could be yellow, greenish-yellow. however, this is rare.

if the flour is moderate to strong, the color will be stated.

in the case of faint, I would not worry.

says dave atlas, "Below Medium, there is likely no visual effect to color or transparency. "

 

[DiamondExpert]

If a stone has faint fluro the color may not be stated, but if it is yellow in a colorless or near-colorless stone, it may not be desirable. Furthermore, the intensity of fluorescence is sometimes loosely evaluated, or missed completely.

Fluorescence needs to be checked out just to be safe.

While blue fluor. is present in about 1/3 gem quality diamonds, only a few % of all fluor. stones are of colors other than blue.

One great example is the Hope which is fluoresces and phosphoreses red.

 

[niceguymr]

So....

Say I order a stone with ''faint'' fluorescence. Is there a way I can check out the fluor color myself w/o taking it to a GIA gemologist or appraiser to determine the color?

 

[JulieN]

you can ask the vendor

or you can just take it outside in direct sunlight.

ETA: didn't mean take it outside and you'll be able to see it. meant, take it outisde and you won't notice it it, so don't worry about it.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

You would never be able to spot "faint" fluorescence in natural daylight. Only held very close to a blacklight in a totally darkened enviroment would you notice the diamond glowing a very faint, ghostly hint of blue.

If you don't know what to expect, you might miss it. Better to have a gemologist check it out for you.

Medium toned fluorescence and greater has the color listed on GIA reports. What you want to watch out for is a diamond graded "faint" which actually is a "medium" tone with a yellow or greenish yellow hue (which will not be noted because of the "faint" designation).

You shouldn't pass up a good diamond because of an "off color" fluorescence, but it is considered a slight negative within the trade, and you should be aware of it as well as receiving a slight discount because of it. Most dealers will already have incorporated that discount in their price.

As Gary (DiamondExpert) pointed out, "the intensity of fluorescence is sometimes loosely evaluated, or missed completely". I have found this to be the case as well.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

As Gary (DiamondExpert) pointed out, "the intensity of fluorescence is sometimes loosely evaluated, or missed completely". I have found this to be the case as well.
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And in the case of a non certed diamond....fluorescence, oftentimes, will not even be mentioned.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[windowshopper]

My stone (GIAcert) was stated to be faint fluor which i didnt care about--the appraiser said it was moderate and showed me using the blacklight. It was very clearly and obviously blue (not faint)--of course I didnt really care but it supports your point--

 

[cinnabar]

I have an uncerted diamond in a pendant which fluoresces orange. It''s only a small accent diamond, and because it''s set next to a mystic topaz that is greeny/orange, I think the effect is awesome. But it only shows the orange under a blacklight, not in normal daylight, and I wouldn''t want a one carat engagement ring diamond to fluoresce orange.

Orange fluorescence is pretty uncommon in diamonds though, it''s a tiny percentage.

Defintely ask the vendor if you have any questions about what it says on the cert. They want you to be happy with your purchase.

 

[blodthecat]

Chances are that it is blue. Faint blue flouro is not noticable at all.

If you get the chance, ask to view a diamond with medium to strong flouro..... OMG they are fabulous! IMO

I would never ever buy a diamond again without flouro.