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<ul><li class="MsoNormal">Fluorescence is an invisible glow that some diamonds
 emit under Ultraviolet (UV) rays. After evaluating hundreds of diamonds,
 we can confirm that many exceptional diamonds are unnecessarily avoided
 due to mild fluorescence.</li><li class="MsoNormal">In a nutshell, in D-F color diamonds, avoiding fluorescence
 is best. In <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/g-color-diamonds/">G color</a> diamonds, none to faint fluorescence is good. In H-Z
 color diamonds, medium to strong blue fluorescence can be a helpful factor
 because it is a complementary color to yellow.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Among the 4Cs, the key relationship of fluorescence is
 with color. To understand the effects of fluorescence, a buyer must know
 how it relates to the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-color/">color of a diamond</a>. It is generally undesirable in
 colorless white diamonds (D-F color range), though it can be a positive
 factor in H and lower color ranges.</li><li class="MsoNormal">If you buy a diamond with fluorescence, make sure you
 have a solid return policy in case the fluorescence negatively affects the
 stone (making it look oily or hazy in front of the sun), which is the case
 in less than 10% of diamonds with fluorescence in them.</li><li class="MsoNormal">To summarize, fluorescence in a diamond generally
 affects its price negatively. However, this is not often the case in the
 I-Z color range, especially for faint or medium blue fluorescence.</li></ul><a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/all-diamonds/?a_aid=5c83f22427304" target="_blank"><img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/img-1687674586.png" alt="James Allen Diamonds" width="379" title="James Allen" height="212"></a>

Key Insights on Fluorescence

This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/diamond-prices/">diamond price</a>&nbsp;discount breakdown by fluorescence
 type in the above section is our rough estimation based on color. The discount percentage will
 change depending on how big the stone is and how significantly its fluorescence
 influences it, especially if its effect is negative (making it look dull or
 hazy).<img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture62.jpg" alt="Fluorescence Chart &amp; Discounts" width="834" height="600" title="Diamond Fluorescence Chart"> 

The estimated price
 discount should not be viewed as absolute as it might change from diamond
 to diamond and the degree to which fluorescence affects brilliance positively
 or negatively. Generally speaking, you will get a higher discount on D-E color
 diamonds with fluorescence. In F/G colors, the discount may be lower in the
 faint range but higher in the medium-to-strong blue range. In the H, I,
 and J color (even up to Z), you may not get any discounts because the
 fluorescence can positively influence the brilliance of the diamond. As
 mentioned earlier, blue is a complementary color to yellow and might make such
 stones look whiter than their actual color grade.

As confirmed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?c=Page&amp;childpagename=GIA/Page/GGArticleDetail&amp;pagename=GST/Dispatcher&amp;cid=1355958320246">GIA’s&nbsp;study</a>,&nbsp;consumers will often not be able to detect the presence
 of fluorescence in a diamond. Furthermore, most diamonds with fluorescence can
 have as much brilliance as those without. A diamond's milky, hazy, and oily appearance can also be found in stones with no fluorescence.

The most important
 factor in a diamond is its appearance; if you are happy with its appearance, do
 not worry about fluorescence. Instead, enjoy the 4-15% discount you may get
 when you buy a diamond with fluorescence. We believe the discount should be up
 to 2% for faint fluorescence, up to 5% for medium blue, 12% for strong blue,
 and 18% for very strong blue.Fluorescence does
 not have the same impact on all diamonds; it might be a positive factor in some cases. Here are some scenarios when fluorescence might work in your
 favor:

<ol start="1" type="1">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Price:&nbsp;Since fluorescence is perceived as a negative
 factor universally without being dealt with on a case-by-case basis, it
 presents an opportunity for a buyer to grab an exceptional diamond at a
 discounted price.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Positive effects:&nbsp;Blue fluorescence is frequently beneficial in
 diamonds with a yellow tint (H, I, J colors or lower grades). This is
 because blue compliments yellow and makes a diamond appear whiter than its
 color.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Level of intensity:&nbsp;Fortunately, the intensity with which a diamond
 emits fluorescence is not the same. While stronger vigor often leads to a
 higher negative impact, lower intensity ranges, i.e., faint or medium
 blue, usually do not drastically harm a diamond's brilliance.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">It does not hurt all
 diamonds the same way:&nbsp;In
 some cases, fluorescence might make a diamond look overly dull or oily; in
 others, it might not impact the visual appearance. However, most diamonds
 with fluorescence get discounted because of the perception
 problem, even if it does not affect their beauty.</li></ol>The picture below
 shows how diamonds that emit different types of fluorescence look in regular
 settings. It is hard to distinguish between diamonds with no fluorescence and
 those that emit fluorescence while inspecting them with the naked eye.
 Observing this effect is harder under indoor lighting, though it may be easier
 to detect under sunlight.<img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture60.jpg" alt="Fluorescence in Day Light" width="638px" height="427px" title="Diamond Fluorescence in Day Light" style="width: 638px; height: 427px;">

Estimated Price Effect

Of the diamonds
 submitted to GIA over the past decade, around 25% to 35% exhibited some
 fluorescence level. In under 10% of these diamonds, fluorescence affected the
 appearance of the diamond. However, this effect is not necessarily harmful and
 can sometimes complement a diamond’s brilliance. The visible color is blue in
 more than 95% of the diamonds exhibiting fluorescence. Since blue is a
 complementary color to yellow, tinted diamonds look more colorless.<img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture61.jpg" alt="Fluorescence scale" width="683px" height="345px" title="Diamond Fluorescence scale" style="width: 683px; height: 345px;">

None or No Fluorescence:&nbsp;After reviewing a random sample of 26,010 diamonds, GIA
 found that only 9,175, or 35% exhibited some level of fluorescence. In GIA's
 words: "None" means that any fluorescence shown is weaker than the
 reference stone's. The institute notes, "A report description of ‘none’
 means that any fluorescence exhibited is weaker than that of the reference
 stone that marks the none/faint boundary.”

Faint Fluorescence:&nbsp;After reviewing a random sample of 26,010 diamonds, GIA
 found that only 9,175, or 35%, exhibited some level of fluorescence. Of the
 9,175 diamonds, 3,465, or 38%, reported faint fluorescence. Please note that
 GIA considers faint fluorescence the lower end of blue fluorescence, e.g.,
 faint blue, medium blue, strong blue, and very strong blue.

Medium to Very Strong Blue Fluorescence:&nbsp;After reviewing a random sample of
 26,010 diamonds, GIA found that only 9,175, or 35%, exhibited some level of
 fluorescence. Of the 9,175 diamonds, 62% or 5,710 had blue fluorescence,
 ranging from medium to very strong blue. While 97% of these fluoresced blue in
 varying intensities, 3%, or 162 stones, fluoresced other colors, such as
 yellow, white, and orange.

Of the 11,901 diamonds
 in the D-to-F range evaluated in the study, 3,250 fluoresced.

Key Findings of the GIA Study

<ol start="1" type="1">
 <li class="MsoNormal">For average buyers (consumers), no systematic effect of
 fluorescence was observed.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Even experienced observers or graders did not agree on
 the effect of fluorescence on the stones they were given to evaluate.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Diamonds with strongly blue-colored fluorescence were
 perceived to have a higher grade than their actual color grade.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Most observers did not find any connection between
 fluorescence and diamond clarity.</li>
</ol>

Please watch the video
 by Petra Gems to learn important tips about diamond fluorescence and how it
 affects the price of a diamond.<iframe width="560px" height="315px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eAAEvmhj8lU?si=BHXnVRo3ff_OKbPs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></iframe>

Some of our key thoughts on diamonds with fluorescence:

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Fluorescence in most diamonds does not affect the
 overall appearance of the diamond. It can be a positive factor if it is
 near colorless or tinted.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Blue fluorescence can help make near-colorless diamonds
 look colorless. We have seen H-colored diamonds with medium blue
 fluorescence that look colorless to the naked eye.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Strong blue fluorescence is not necessarily bad. Many
 diamonds with strong blue fluorescence do not adversely affect their
 appearance. Once, we observed an M color diamond looked like a
 near-colorless diamond because of very strong blue fluorescence.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Diamonds with very strong fluorescence, always blue,
 are not common.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Fluorescence is your ally, not your adversary, because
 it can reduce the price of a diamond by 4–10%. The cost of a diamond is
 not significantly affected if it has medium blue or faint fluorescence.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">In some cases, diamond fluorescence may affect the
 overall appearance of a diamond. Avoid diamonds with fluorescence that
 look hazy, oily, or cloudy. Fluorescence can make diamonds look foggy or
 cloudy in very few cases, so it is best to avoid them. Ask your diamond
 dealer about such a possibility before making the purchase.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Inquire about the dealer's return policy and ensure
 you can return your diamond if you do not like the look because of
 its fluorescence or for any other reason.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">It is common for high-grade diamonds to have blue
 fluorescence, such as D or E color diamonds. It is also found in F-color
 diamonds.</li></ul>

GIA Study of Fluorescence

Do all diamonds
 fluoresce? No! When GIA analyzed about 26,000 diamonds, only 25-35% exhibited some level of Fluorescence.

Can Fluorescence be
 seen with the naked eye or in any lighting? You might see Fluorescence under bright sunlight or in places with strong UV rays, such as a tanning bed.
 Once the source of UV rays is removed, you cannot see the
 Fluorescence.

Can Fluorescence be
 easily identified and detected? No, it is tough for trained gemologists to see
 it. Most gemologists use high-tech tools to determine a diamond's degree of Fluorescence.

Why is Fluorescence
 not a grading factor like the 4Cs? While GIA considers Fluorescence an
 identifying characteristic in a diamond, we believe it is a significant price
 and quality factor. It can be helpful in certain diamonds but is generally a
 slight negative factor in colorless ones.

Is Fluorescence only
 blue in diamonds? While blue is the dominant color in Fluorescence, there are
 also yellow, orange, red, white, and green colors. However, the latter colors
 are usually less desirable and least preferred than blue.

How bad is strong blue
 Fluorescence? We have explained this in detail in this article. It generally
 depends on the color grade and is not always a negative influence. You will
 have to look at it case by case and inspect the diamond in person. You might
 end up lucky and get an extra discount while also getting a diamond with strong
 blue Fluorescence with no adverse effect.

Can diamond
 fluorescence make a diamond less durable? No, Fluorescence does not influence
 the durability of a diamond; the diamond's structural integrity remains intact.

How might Fluorescence work to your advantage?

<ol start="1" type="1">
 <li class="MsoNormal">You may get a 4% to 10% discount on your diamond
 purchase without compromising quality. We believe the discount should
 be up to 2% for faint Fluorescence, 5% for medium blue, 12% for strong
 blue, and 18% for very strong blue.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Medium blue Fluorescence might enhance the color of
 your diamond if it is within the H-L range or higher.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Faint Fluorescence will also help you save money on
 your diamond without losing its overall brilliance.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">When buying a diamond with Fluorescence, make sure you
 have the option of returning it to be on the safe side.</li>
</ol>

What is the range of diamond fluorescence in GIA grading reports?

None or no
 fluorescence, medium blue, strong blue, very strong blue, faint, yellow, and
 green. Blue is the most common form of Fluorescence in diamonds.

What are the misconceptions about Fluorescence?

Some websites discuss Fluorescence&nbsp;as a negative factor for diamonds. The two most misunderstood
 concepts in Fluorescence are color and strength. A diamond will look whiter if
 it fluoresces blue. Do not panic if the diamond fluorescents are blue; it is not as harmful in the H to J color range. Most high-color grades, such as D-E, often
 have blue Fluorescence, a negative factor.

The fluorescence grade
 ranges from None to Very Strong. Diamonds with very strong Fluorescence tend to
 have a milky look even under everyday lighting conditions. A diamond might
 rarely appear dirty or cloudy to a typical observer under very strong
 Fluorescence. A good rule of thumb would be to double-check with your diamond
 dealer about the effect of Fluorescence on the diamond you are considering
 purchasing. Avoid buying a diamond with intense Fluorescence in terms of
 strength.

Key Facts About Fluorescence

What would be my best choice if I could pick between no or faint/medium blue
 fluorescence?

Generally, no
 fluorescence is preferred. However, blue fluorescence is helpful and
 recommended in H, I, and lower-color diamonds. If you can, avoid it in D-G
 color diamonds. Faint is also great for G color.

Why is fluorescence perceived negatively?

Because it is not a
 black-and-white topic such as carat weight or color, consumers need clarity
 about how to go about fluorescence. Hence, they generally try to be on the safe
 side and assume the worst.

What about fluorescence in D-F color diamonds, and why should it
 be avoided in such a range?

In most cases,
 fluorescence in D to F color diamonds does not negatively impact the stone. In very few cases, it can make the diamond look bluish, so most people prefer to
 avoid it. However, some prefer the bluish hue of white diamonds, so that might
 be your preference.

Is strong blue fluorescence bad?

You could get
 fortunate with strong blue fluorescence. People assume it is a super negative
 factor and avoid it, but it is not bad in H and low-color diamonds. It can help
 them look much whiter than their color since blue complements yellow. But, it can be somewhat negative in D- G color diamonds. Therefore, make sure you see
 the diamond in person to determine how the fluorescence affects it or have a
 solid return policy if you buy a D-G color diamond with strong or very strong
 blue fluorescence.

Other Fluorescence Related FAQs

Fluorescence is ultraviolet (UV)
        light's effect on a diamond and delineates its strength against long-wave
        UV light. It is an invisible glow tha

Is Fluorescence Bad? None to Very Strong Blue Effects on a Diamond

Sharif Khan

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