What is this Fluorescence thing about diamonds?

[earth]

I did go through the tutorials but i think i didn''t go through them well.... so while searching diamonds on NICEICE i saw this "Fluorescence".... what is this? i guess will need to search for this in Tutorials again
Thanks!

 

[yssie]

Yup - those tutorials have a wealth of good info.

Have fun!

 

[Noreen]

Here is a simple explanation along with a photo that helped me:

http://www.precious-diamonds.com/Fluorescence.html

 

[Lorelei]

This link from the tutorials should explain Fluorescence for you.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/25/2010 1:26:23 PM
Author:earth
I did go through the tutorials but i think i didn''t go through them well.... so while searching diamonds on NICEICE i saw this ''Fluorescence''.... what is this? i guess will need to search for this in Tutorials again

Thanks!

Hello Earth,

While on our web site, did you happen to run across our tutorial on Fluorescence? It is located under the Education / Expanded 4C''s section of the web site. Here''s an excerpt:

Approximately one third of gem quality diamonds are luminescent and luminesce color, such as blue, when exposed to UV light. In most cases, the luminescence will stop when the UV light source is removed; this phenomenon is known as fluorescence. Diamonds fluoresce in both long and short wave UV light, however they tend to fluoresce more intensely when subjected to long wave UV light. Fluorescence in diamonds merely the result of boron molecules being excited by ultraviolet light which transfers energy to the molecules so that they fluoresce white, blue, green, yellow, and red. The same concept is used in light sticks, but we think the effect is way cooler in diamonds because it is the result of a naturally occurring phenomenon.

 

[earth]

thanks...great help! Yes i missed this fluorescence part in tutorials..going through it!