DO DIAMONDS SPARKLE IN THE DARK?

This may seem like a silly question, but not if you’re the one asking it. “Do Diamonds Sparkle in the Dark?“

You’d be surprised at how many people want to know.

Customers not only ask this, but demonstrate it as well when they’re looking at Diamond Engagement Rings.

They’ll cup one hand over the ring to see if the Diamond still sparkles in the dark…

Like this is an indication of whether the Diamond is good or not!

When I see that, this is what I say…

“Diamonds need light to Sparkle!”

The more light a Diamond gets, the more a Diamond will Sparkle. Without light, all you will get is a boring, dull stone with no life or brilliance.

It’s the truth!

It’s also the Cut!

Diamonds are Cut in such a way to maximize light, draw it in, and reflect it out so it sparkles like a billion stars in the sky. This Sparkle is the life and beauty of any Diamond.

So the answer to the question is “No, Diamonds do NOT Sparkle in the dark!“

They need light (which is why Jewelry Stores have tons of it) and they need a Good Cut to really bring it out.

Read more about Diamonds and Cut here: Diamond Cut & Diamond Symmetry!

There are 2 more things that can really help a Diamond Sparkle: The Mounting & how Clean it is! Let’s take a closer look…

1) The Mounting

We all know now that the more light your Diamond gets in, the more it can sparkle. Which means, the better a mounting can allow that light to enter the stone, the more sparkle you’ll see.

High profile mountings, or peg heads (like those used in a Tiffany Mounting) work wonders to a Diamond and Sparkle.

Light has no problem reaching the stone and lighting it up.

Mountings like Bezles, Partial Bezels, Channel Sets, Illusion Heads, Tension Sets and low profile settings can block light and actually darken the stone.

Take a look at the image below for Mountings that give Diamonds Good Sparkle, and Bad!

One last thing that greatly affects the Sparkle of a stone:

2) Keep it Clean

Dirt, Soap, Debris, Dust, Fingerprints, Oils, Lotions, Hair Sprays and Perfumes all stick to Diamonds and dull them up. They stop light from penetrating the stone which then stops Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation.

Keep your Diamond clean if you want it to Sparkle the most!

Clean it often and try not to touch your Diamond with your fingers. This instantly puts a layer of oil on the stone, and there goes your light!

Diamonds Need Light

Diamonds need light and they need a Good Cut (like Very Good or Excellent). They also need the right mounting that lets light in, and it needs to be kept clean. Doing all of these things will certainly keep you and your Diamonds from heading into the dark.

P.S. Some Diamonds Also Glow-In-The-Dark

Yes, some Diamonds have a natural ability to Glow in the Dark! (under a UV Light)

It’s a rare phenomenon called Fluorescence, which sounds cool, looks neat, but many times leaves a Diamond looking foggy, hazy, cloudy or milky in natural light.

I advise buying Diamonds without Fluorescence (none, as listed on a Diamond Certificate), unless you can view the actual Diamond you’re buying and see if this curious act of nature affects the light and beauty of the stone. Some do, some don’t. You have to see it to believe it! :)

Here are some Great Diamonds, Cut Excellent, with NO Fluorescence!

Cheers! :)