Fluorescence in a Diamond

What is fluorescence in a diamond? 

In diamonds, fluorescence is observed when the diamond is exposed to invisible ultraviolet rays. (Such as the lighting frequently seen in dance clubs).Under normal lighting conditions, a diamond’s fluorescence is not detectable to the eye.  However, if a diamonds naturally fluorescent,  it will emit a soft colored glow when viewed in ultraviolet light.  Fluorescence is not dangerous to the diamond or the wearer, nor does it compromise the diamonds structural integrity.  It is simply a fascinating quality that occurs naturally in some diamonds.

Do all diamond fluoresce in the same way?

No.  Some do not fluoresce at all.  On diamond grading reports, non-fluorescent diamonds are described as “none.”  Diamonds that do exhibit some fluorescence can vary from faint, medium blue, strong blue to very strong blue.

How many diamonds fluorescence?

About 1/3 of all diamonds fluorescence.  You can find out if your diamond is fluorescent by holding it under a black light.  It will give off a blue color if it does have fluorescence.  Blue is not the only color that a diamond can exhibit but it is the most popular. Green, yellow, orange or red are also colors you may see.

Good or Bad?

A diamond with a color lower then H with a medium fluorescence can actually make the stone look whiter, but a diamond with strong or very strong fluorescence tho can give the diamond a milky or hazy look.  Therefore, a diamond with faint to medium blue can actually enhance some diamonds.

Does fluorescence effect a diamond’s price?

Fluorescence may cause you to pay a little more (0-2%) when it comes to diamonds in the  H-M color range while in the D-G color range a diamond will actually cost you a little less (0-15%).

Have a little fun!

Next time you are at a night club check out everyone’s rings you might be surprised at how many are glowing :-)

Color makes up one of the Four C's when talking about a diamonds characteristics

Color makes up one of the Four C's when talking about a diamonds characteristics. First time diamond buyers often come in with the assumption that all diamonds are colorless. However, the truth is that colorless diamonds are very rare. Diamonds are graded on a scale from D to Z in color.

How did the scale come about?

Before the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) came up with the D to Z scale in the 1950's, jewelry stores would label their diamonds A, B, and C or use numerical numbering systems to identify the color of their diamonds. This influenced the GIA to start their scale at D, so that customers would not confuse the GIA's color scale with any other scale. While some jewelers still use their own color scales, many people in the jewelry industry across the globe have adopted the GIA color scale to follow.

How does the scale work?

Diamonds D-F are categorized in the colorless section of the scale. G-J are classified as near colorless. K-M you can start to see faint yellow or browns in the diamond. N-R the color of yellow or brown is very light. Finally, S-Z the color is light.

How is the color determined?

When grading a diamond's color, GIA compares a set of different colored diamonds, called  masterstones, to the diamond they are grading. The GIA has three gemologist compare the diamond to the masterstones and decide on a color. All three gemologist have to agree on the color of the stone for it to be graded that color.

Fancy-colored Diamonds

One fun fact about diamonds is that they can come in every color (red, blue, green, and purple are just a few). These fancy-colored diamonds do not follow the same D to Z scale as regular diamonds. GIA grades colored diamonds by the intensity of their color (faint to light). Fancy-colored yellow diamonds should not be confused with a off-colored diamond that is low on the D to Z scale. Natural fancy-colored diamonds are valuable and rare to find.

THE TIME FOR MEN

Moving from spring into summer, the temperatures are unbearable, but we are here to tell you there is an escape.  Summer, a time for men, is a time of the year where we like to acknowledge that men’s jewelry is not specifically for weddings. The visual brilliance, fire, and striking light of a diamond is not a mere reflection of the person, but a window.  This summer, since your significant other has been spoiling you all year, now it is your chance to spoil him with a masculine yet stylish band.

In the last twenty years, there have been new developments in the materials used to create and revamp men’s rings. Even though we still offer traditional gold and silver bands, the newest metals on the market are titanium, tungsten, carbon fiber, and several more.  The recent changes in metals cannot be fully told in this short explanation, so we invite you to visit the Benchmark or Lashbrook websites if you would like to perform further research.

TITANIUM

                This metal is more than twice as strong as typical commercial metals. This material is not only used in creating rings, but also on space shuttles and airplanes. There are many style options available with this metal which makes it relatively versatile and well liked. 

TUNGSTEN

                Tungsten is the most scratch resistant performance metal on the market today. This metal also offers three options in finishes as well: polish, satin, and sandblast.  You may be asking yourself if this material has breakpoints, then wonder no longer. Tungsten rings are built with breakpoints! So, if your significant other works on cars, welds, farms, etc…then this would be a great ring choice for him. It is reliable and dependable and a finger saver. 

CARBON FIBER

                Carbon fiber is well known for its strength to weight ratio, and it is often used in bicycles, motorcycles, and sailboats. The technique of “sandwiching” the metal into performance metal bands produces a stunning yet innovative look. 

COBALT CHROME

                Cobalt Chrome has a white lustrous color that will stand up extraordinarily well to everyday wear and tear. Not only is the color similar to platinum, it has the heft of gold as well. Customers rave about how Cobalt Chrome is much more durable than they’re previous gold or platinum bands. It also offers an alternative option for those people who are allergic to nickel.  

CERAMIC

                Ceramic bands come in white and black, which are the most well liked. These bands are very light weight and exceptionally scratch resistant.  Also, like Tungsten, ceramic is also available in the same three finishes to give you another option to customize your band. An advantage to ceramic is the ring is not made with a coating, so the color runs true throughout the entire band and will never wear over time.

Symbolic jewelry

It's that time of year again when symbolic jewelry is in high demand. It's March so the luck of the Irish will call for shamrocks, four leaf clovers, claddagh jewelry or anything green!   Communions and Easter are right around the corner so crosses and St Christopher medals are next on the list.

There is a very romantic story behind the Claddagh ring.

The ring, depicting two hands clutching a heart complete
with crown, epitomizes the expression of lasting love and
eternal friendship. The heart symbolizes Love, the hands
Friendship and the crown Fidelity.

The romantic story of the mystical and beautiful Claddagh
Ring began over 300 years ago, in the ancient fishing village
of Claddagh just outside the walls of the city of Galway on
the west coast of Ireland.

Legend tells us a fishing boat from the village was captured
by pirates and the crew taken and sold as slaves. One of the
crew, Richard Joyce (who was to have been married that
very week,) was sold to a Turkish Gold Smith.

During his captive years never forgetting his girl back home,
he made a ring of gold for her.
After many years Richard eventually earned his freedom and
returned to Claddagh. To his great Joy he found his girl had
never given up hope of seeing him again. He gave her the ring
and they were married never to be separated.

St Christopher also has special meaning to those traveling and desiring protection. St Christopher was a large man from Palestine who helped travelers cross a raging river, sort of like a ferry. One special day a child asked for his help. Perched on Christopher's shoulders, the child grew heavier and heavier as they crossed the stream. Reaching the other shore, Christopher asked him "Who are you, that you placed me in such peril. Its seems I was carrying the whole world on my shoulders." The child replied "You not only carried the world, but him who made it. I am Jesus Christ the King."  He has been known as a protector ever since.
Here at Showcase we understand how jewelry can help show your love, provide protection, or even allow you to have a little fun. The next time you need a symbolic piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one, think of us and stop in one of our three locations.

Amethyst

For all of our followers who have February birthdays or anniversaries, this month’s birthstone, Amethyst, would make a great gift. Amethysts can come in different shades of purple ranging from lavender to dark purple depending on the quality. The higher the quality the darker the purple. Amethysts also have a hardness of 7, therefore they are good for everyday wear

The story of how Amethyst came about dates back to Greek mythology. The legend states that the Greek God of wine, Dionysus, was angry with mortals for insulting him. Therefore, he summoned tigers to attack the next mortal they came in contact with. There was a young girl, Amethyst, who was on her way to worship the Goddess Diana when the pack of tigers came after her. To save the girl from being mauled by tigers, Diana turned the girl into crystalline quartz. Dionysus was in awe of the statues beauty and felt bad for what he had done. He cried over the statue and his tears turned the quartz purple. From then on the purple quartz was named Amethyst after the young girl.

If you are thinking about purchasing a piece of jewelry this month with an Amethyst in it stop by our Manhattan location to check out our selection of K-State purple or design your own at any of our locations.