Diamonds Glow Forever

Did you know that some diamonds actually give off a glow under UV or blacklight? If you’re lucky enough to be sporting diamond jewelry have a look next time you’re in a pub, club or UV/blacklight environment, does yours glow?

It seems that some diamonds are actually fluorescent. Most glow blue but some glow yellow or even orange, and perhaps the world’s most famous diamond, the Hope Diamond although a blue diamond, actually glows red when exposed to long wave UV light (blacklight)...an intriguing feature that adds to the diamonds mystery and tale of curses and bad luck.

The interesting feature doesn’t detract from the value, grade or quality of a diamond, that all depends on cut and clarity etc...it’s simply an interesting characteristic that depends upon where the diamond was born. A diamond’s ability to fluoresce is simply down to the minerals that it came into contact during its development, typically contact with aluminium; nitrogen and boron help to develop a natural glow in the dark ability. And so rest assured if your diamond glows, you know it’s definitely no fake!

Interestingly, not only will some diamonds glow in the dark, but a lucky few also demonstrate phosphorescence, which means that they will continue to glow after exposure to UV or blacklight, a pretty amazing trait and a way cool effect. The Hope Diamond is one such diamond which will glow under UV, but once the light is removed, the Hope Diamond will flash a deep red for several minutes before fading out, a stunning characteristic unique to the Hope Diamond adding to its infamy; in fact the head of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Museum where the Hope Diamond is currently on display is quoted as saying that "Nothing like this has been known to happen with any other diamond."

Pretty cool stuff... if you’re sadly lacking in the diamond department, but would like to create a gem like glow in your home, why not try out Glitzy Crystal String Lights.