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Beyond the 4Cs

The Hidden Facets of Diamond Quality

Fluorescence

  • Fluorescence is the glow some diamonds exhibit when exposed to ultraviolet light.
  • Intensity ranges from None to Very Strong
  • Can affect the diamond's appearance in daylight
  • Sometimes adds value (in lower color grades), sometimes detracts (in higher color grades)

2. Polish and Symmetry

  • These factors contribute to the overall quality of a diamond's cut.
  • Polish refers to the smoothness of the diamond's facets
  • Symmetry relates to the precision of the facet arrangement
  • Both are graded from Excellent to Poor

Milkiness

Milkiness refers to a cloudy, hazy, or opalescent appearance in a diamond. It's sometimes described as a "sleepy" or "fuzzy" look.

Causes:

  • Microscopic inclusions: Tiny, scattered inclusions can create a cloudy effect.
  • Graining: Internal structure irregularities can cause haziness.
  • Fluorescence: In some cases, strong fluorescence can contribute to a milky appearance, especially in daylight.

Impact on Appearance:

  • Reduces transparency and brilliance
  • Can make the diamond appear less crisp and defined
  • May give the stone a soft, diffused look

Grading Considerations:

  • Not always reflected in clarity grades
  • Can affect the overall appearance more than the clarity grade suggests
  • Often noted in the "comments" section of a grading report

Value Impact:

  • Generally decreases a diamond's value
  • The extent depends on the severity of the milkiness

Brownness

Brownness refers to a brown tint or undertone in a diamond, ranging from faint to noticeable.

Causes:

  • Nitrogen impurities: The most common cause
  • Plastic deformation: Structural changes during formation
  • Irradiation: Natural or artificial exposure to radiation

Impact on Appearance:

  • Can give the diamond a warm or slightly tinted look
  • In severe cases, may make the diamond appear less brilliant or "dirty"

Grading Considerations:

  • Affects color grade: Diamonds with brown tints are graded lower on the color scale
  • Can be present in various degrees across different color grades
  • Some slightly brown diamonds may be marketed as "champagne" or "cognac" diamonds

Value Impact:

  • Generally decreases a diamond's value, especially in higher color grades
  • The impact is less significant in lower color grades (K-M)
  • Some fancy brown diamonds can be valuable, but this is a separate category

Assessing Milkiness and Brownness

  • Visual Inspection: Best observed in different lighting conditions
  • Professional Grading: Experienced gemologists can identify these characteristics
  • Advanced Imaging: Some labs use specialized equipment to detect and quantify these traits

Considerations for Buyers:

  • Request to see the diamond in different lighting conditions
  • Ask if there are any comments about milkiness or brownness on the grading report
  • Consider how the characteristic affects the overall appearance and brilliance
  • Understand that these traits may impact value more than the 4Cs grade alone suggests
  • For milky diamonds, be cautious of stones with strong fluorescence
  • For brown tints, consider if the warmth is appealing to you personally

Fleurie Guarantee: No Milkiness, No Brownness

we are committed to offering only the highest quality diamonds to our valued customers. As part of this commitment, we have a strict policy:

We do not carry milky or brown diamonds in our collection.

What This Means for You:

  • Superior Brilliance and Sparkle
    Every diamond in our inventory has been expertly inspected to ensure it is free from the cloudiness or haziness associated with milky diamonds. This means you'll always get a stone with exceptional clarity and fire.
  • True Color Purity
    We exclude diamonds with brown tints or undertones. This ensures that every diamond you see in our collection, especially in the colorless and near-colorless ranges, displays its true, intended color without any unwanted warmth.
  • Confidence in Your Purchase
    Our rigorous selection process means you can trust that any diamond you choose from us has passed strict quality controls. You don't need to worry about hidden imperfections affecting your diamond's beauty or value.
  • Expert Curation
    Our gemologists carefully examine each diamond, going beyond standard grading to ensure that subtle characteristics like milkiness or brownness, which might not always be reflected in a grading report, are never present in our inventory.
  • Maximized Value
    By eliminating diamonds with these less desirable traits, we ensure that your investment goes towards features that truly enhance the diamond's beauty and worth.
  • Simplified Shopping Experience
    You can browse our collection with the assurance that every diamond has been pre-screened for these characteristics, simplifying your decision-making process.

Fleurie Guarantee: Free from Fluorescence

Expert Curation

  • Our experts carefully inspect each diamond, ensuring only non-fluorescent stones make it into our rings.
  • This goes beyond standard grading reports, offering an extra layer of quality assurance.

What This Means for You

By choosing a diamond from Fleurie Diamonds, you're selecting a stone that:

  • Displays consistent beauty in all environments
  • Represents its true color without any fluorescent influence
  • Offers optimal brilliance and fire
  • Holds its value for years to come
  • Our no-fluorescence policy is part of our broader commitment to offering only the highest quality diamonds. We believe in providing our customers with diamonds that exhibit pure, natural beauty without any compromising factors.
  • When you purchase a diamond from us, you can be confident that you're getting a premium stone, carefully selected to meet the most stringent quality standards in the industry.

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Frequently Asked Questions