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GIA taking extra steps to explain fluorescence

July 10, 2009

Carlsbad, Calif.--In an effort to educate the public about ultraviolet fluorescence in diamonds, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will include extra information about the phenomenon in every grading report that carries a diamond-fluorescence description of medium or stronger.

According to a release from the Carlsbad, Calif.-based laboratory, consumers will receive a separate, four-color insert addressing the most frequently asked questions about fluorescence, explaining its properties in simple terms and showing comparison images of diamonds in both natural and UV light, to help illustrate the varying intensities.

"Some diamonds show fluorescence and some don't," GIA Senior Vice President of Laboratory and Research Tom Moses said in the release. "Fluorescence is the emission of visible light by a diamond when it is stimulated by invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is a common characteristic of diamonds. The diamond simply glows under the UV lights, usually a blue color, which most often stops when the energy source causing it is removed."

According to the release, GIA has indicated the presence of fluorescence on its grading reports for more than 50 years but described it as an identification characteristic only, and did not issue a grade.

The five terms GIA uses to classify the intensity of fluorescence are: None, Faint, Medium, Strong and Very Strong.

"This insert will help the public better understand diamonds in general, which gives them more confidence and knowledge when making a decision about a diamond," Moses said.

For more information about GIA Diamond Grading Reports and fluorescence, visit the organization's Web site, GIA.edu.
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