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What is Fluorescence?

Fluorescence isn’t directly tied to a diamond’s color grade. Instead, it refers to whether a diamond reacts to long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light — like the kind you’d see under a black light. When fluorescence is present, the diamond will emit a soft, bluish glow under UV exposure. Pretty cool, right? But don’t worry — in most regular lighting conditions, this glow isn’t visible to the naked eye. The GIA classifies fluorescence intensity as None, Faint, Medium, Strong, or Very Strong. Some believe diamonds with Strong or Very Strong fluorescence can appear slightly hazy or oily, while others swear it adds charm and character. So which is it? Well, according to a study by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it’s mostly a matter of personal taste. Their conclusion? Fluorescence doesn’t significantly affect beauty or value — it’s all about what looks best to your eye. Below, we offer our own recommended pairings of diamond color and preferred fluorescence levels to help guide your search.

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