Diamond florescence refers to the effect that ultraviolet light has on these gemstones. Much like when your teeth appear whiter when exposed to black light, diamonds can glow different colors (typically blue) when exposed to different types of ultraviolet light. Diamond florescence is a controversial topic among many jewelry and gemstone experts. Some believe that the presence of florescence can devalue a diamond while others believe that it actually enhances the appearance of a diamond.

So who should you believe? The answer is… it all depends on the diamond and your personal preference. Every diamond is unique so the effect that florescence has on one diamond can differ from another. Diamonds that exhibit strong or very strong florescence can appear hazy or oily, which is the main reason why some people don’t like them. However, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), less than 0.2% of florescent diamonds submitted to them exhibit this effect, so this is by no means a common problem among florescent diamonds. The one upside to florescence is that it can make a lower color grade diamond appear more colorless, a trait commonly desired. In addition, fluorescent diamonds tend to be less expensive than diamonds with no fluorescence due to the stigma associated with these gemstones.

To address some of the concerns regarding diamond florescence, the GIA conducted some research and found that the average person could not tell the difference between a diamond that had florescence and one that didn’t. So before deciding whether or not you’re anti-diamond florescence, make sure to look at the diamond in person and under different lighting conditions. Doing so will help you determine whether or not the diamond is the right one for you.