To quote the X-Files: “The truth is out there.” However, thanks to the myriad of information located on the web, sometimes it can be hard to find.

So despite what you may have read or been told in the past, I am here to tell you that fluorescence is not bad.

For those of you who have never heard of Fluorescence before, let me break it down for you. Fluorescence is a light that some diamonds emit (typically seen as a color), when exposed to long wave or short wave ultra-violet (UV) light. Once the UV light source is removed the diamond will return to its normal condition.

Just as inclusions within a diamond are used to help distinguish your diamond from others, so to can fluorescence be used as an identification characteristic. Approximately 35% of diamonds display some sort of fluorescence. Typically the color that appears under UV light is blue. GIA GTL (Gemological Institute of America Gem Trade Laboratory) and other laboratories will note the strength of the light and color emitted on the grading report.

In the simplest terms possible, fluorescence is inherent in the structure of a diamond. Like a person’s height. Some people are tall, some people are short – but we all basically have the same bone structure. Much like being tall or short, a diamond with fluorescence is not better or worse off than a diamond that has none. But, much like being tall or short, it also depends who you ask. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages in every situation.

For me personally, I like fluorescence. I think there is something cool about a diamond that can glow in the dark. Being the gem geek that I am, I covet those diamonds that fluoresce different colors. Most diamonds that fluoresce, about 95% fluoresce blue. However, that elusive remaining 5% can fluoresce yellow, white, orange or other colors. I will tell you from personal experience that white fluorescence is hard to distinguish and the average person probably wouldn’t even notice it. I once had the rare privilege of viewing a private collection where each diamond fluoresced the same color as the diamond. So the yellow diamond fluoresced yellow, the orange diamond fluoresced orange – you get the picture.

I know what you are thinking, yes, Diamond Jen, that is all well and good, but I hear fluorescence can make a diamond look hazy.

Here is the skinny: less than 0.5% of the diamonds examined globally display enough fluorescence to negatively impact a diamond in normal light. This small fraction of diamonds, with extremely strong fluorescence, can appear hazy or oily (“milky”). However, out of the hundreds of millions of diamonds in the world, you are going to have to search far and wide to find one of those.

The insider scoop is, that medium to strong fluorescence can actually be your ally. Diamonds with faint color, in the H-K range, can actually benefit from fluorescence. Medium to strong fluorescence can actually make those diamonds appear whiter/more colorless (i.e. less yellow) face up. The value being, you can stretch your budget farther by purchasing a diamond that has faint body color with stronger blue fluorescence. In most cases it gives you the opportunity to purchase a larger diamond than you may have thought possible. In fact, in the not so distant past diamond dealers used to actually charge more for faint yellow diamonds with medium or strong fluorescence because they knew the value behind the combination. Thanks to all the bad press about fluorescence though, that practice has stopped. Now, the savvy consumer can make the most of his money.

As always, I recommend viewing any diamond prior to purchase to make sure you like it. A diamond should always take your loved ones breath away, and at the very least you should always feel confident about your purchase. As they say, knowledge is power – happy shopping!