What does it mean to be a Fluorescent Diamond Engagement Ring?

We all know that a diamond engagement ring contains a mysterious and beautiful stone with many unique properties. However, one of its lesser-known qualities is a phenomenon called diamond fluorescence. This happens when some diamonds emit a soft-coloured glow when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

A diamond glows when exposed to ultraviolet light when there is a reaction of trace minerals within the diamond. While there are special ultraviolet lamps in laboratories that can be used to ascertain if a diamond does fluoresce, the sun is also a source of ultraviolet rays, so these diamonds will also react in the daylight. About one-third of all diamonds fluoresce and of these, the most common colour is blue as about 95% of diamonds fluoresce this colour. Diamonds can fluoresce other colours.

There are several factors you should consider when thinking about a fluorescent diamond engagement ring. The first is the colour, for it is only a positive attribute if the diamond fluoresces blue. This will make the diamond look whiter, but it is considered negative if the diamond fluoresces yellow. The second factor to consider is the strength of the fluorescence, with the range graded from None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong. A diamond with a very strong fluorescence can appear rather ‘oily’ even in normal lighting conditions. These factors explain the stigma that exists about fluorescence and why some people simply refuse to buy such diamonds. However, generally most jewellers agree that the simple presence or absence of fluorescence should not influence anyone’s decision when buying a diamond engagement ring. For while some may distrust such diamonds, this is for the most part unfounded as, on the whole, fluorescence does not generally impact beauty or sparkle. It can even make some lower rated colours, like grades I, J, K, or L appear more colourless or white, and can also lift colour to the naked eye, making a diamond appear higher in colour than its true body colour. Amazingly, some diamonds can continue to glow for a while even after the ultraviolent source is removed. One example of such a diamond is the famed Hope Diamond, whose colour changes from blue to red under UV light and continues to glow red after the UV light has been removed.

It is always important to be happy with your diamond engagement ring choice, and it shouldn’t matter what anyone else says or thinks about it. Fluorescent diamonds should not be looked upon unfavourably, as it is only on rare occasions that fluorescence causes the diamond to look milky, oily or hazy. If you’re on a budget, you should not disregard fluorescent diamonds, as they can offer really good value for money.

Frederick Holm writes for the F&L Designer Guides, which hosts a thriving community of independent engagement ring designers in the UK. Inspired by their journey of discovery in search of a distinctive, one-of-a-kind diamond engagement ring, F&L now celebrates the works of their favourite designers and helps promote the notion of "Go Bespoke" as a more imaginative and interesting alternative to the limitations of High Street shopping.