Accredited Gemologists AssociationAccredited Gemologists Association

Recap - Task Force PurposeRecap - Task Force Purpose

Recap - Task Force Scope of Recap - Task Force Scope of WorkWork

The N3 Photoluminscence Spectra (at 80°K)The N3 Photoluminscence Spectra (at 80°K)

“N3 Photoluminescence Spectrum. Note the almost perfect symmetry of the N3 absorption and luminescence spectra.”

415.2 nm

400 375 350

2.998 eVEnergy Absorption

(excitation of the N3 Center)Fluorescence Emission

(Return of excited N3 Center to Ground)

Energy inWavelength (nm)

Energy inElectron Volts (eV)

John Walker, Optical Absorption and Luminescence in DiamondRep. Prog. Phys., Vol. 42, 1979. Printed in Great Britain

Groupe de Physique des Solides de 1’Ecole Normale SupCrieure

Fluorescence Intensity by Excitation WavelengthFluorescence Intensity by Excitation Wavelength

Sample of one 3.02ct VST Blue Fluorescent Diamond

Contributed by Thomas Hainshwang, DUG, FGA, GG, Experte SGG

Fluorescence Intensity by Excitation WavelengthFluorescence Intensity by Excitation Wavelength

Sample of one 3.02ct VST Blue Fluorescent Diamond

Data contributed by Thomas Hainshwang, DUG, FGA, GG, Experte SGG

Spectral Transmittance of Tavernier Diamond with and without Blue Spectral Transmittance of Tavernier Diamond with and without Blue Fluorescence /Fluorescence /

Blue Fluorescence Intensity caused by UV from D65 Daylight SimulatorBlue Fluorescence Intensity caused by UV from D65 Daylight Simulator

Color research and application, Volume 23, Number 5, Oct 1998Contributed by: Martin Haske, GG (GIA), BS/MS (MIT)

“A few colorless to light yellow diamonds have very strong fluorescence, which can change their appearance with light sources with and without a UV component” [15% of all blue fluorescent diamonds are ST or VST]

“The blue fluorescence can make a light yellow diamond appear less saturated (more colorless)”.

Color Grading a 25 Sample Diamond Set in Six Separate Color Grading a 25 Sample Diamond Set in Six Separate Grading EnvironmentsGrading Environments

• VST Blue – Up to 4.5 grade improvement from UV + Visible Violet, with VV contributing 1 to 2 grade improvement

• ST Blue – 2 grade improvement• MED Blue – 1 grade improvement• Faint/None Blue – No perceptable differences

Contributed by Michael Cowing, FGA, M.Sc

Test Results

Changes in Distance - Understanding Variation in (unfiltered) UV EnergyChanges in Distance - Understanding Variation in (unfiltered) UV Energy

Degree of perceived color improvement over the true body color (color absent fluorescence) is proportional to both the diamond’s fluorescent strength and the

strength of the [unfiltered] UV energy from the grading light source.

Contributed Michael Cowing, FGA, M.Sc.

Understanding CIE Indoor Daylight Illuminant D65Understanding CIE Indoor Daylight Illuminant D65

Data from International Commission on Illumination (CIE); Indoor Daylight Illuminant D65

300-320 UV-B 0.45%321-400 UV-A 9.58%

401-420 VIOLET 4.45%421-450 INDIGO 7.38%451-490 BLUE 11.21%

491-550 GREEN 15.60%551-590 YELLOW 9.39%591-620 ORANGE 6.53%

621-750 RED 23.91%751-830 INFRARED 11.49%

• “Developed for industrial [textile] applications needing indoor daylight spectra for average colormetric work”• “Considers transmission of clear glass samples only”• “In practice, glass coatings become more important and must be considered by CIE in future”• “In future, CIE hopes to be able to recommend indoor daylight sources”• Appendix A – “Special glazing systems are capable of reducing energy consumption for heating in winter

and cooling in summer, reducing glare from outside and minimizing UV fading of furnishings.

Xenon Daylight Simulator – CIE Illuminant D65Xenon Daylight Simulator – CIE Illuminant D65

Color research and application, Volume 23, Number 5, Oct 1998Contributed by: Martin Haske, GG (GIA), BS/MS (MIT)

“An emission for long-wave UV (between 315 and 400 nm, close to the reference spectrum of D55–D65)”

White or UV Fluorescent Light Bulb – How It WorksWhite or UV Fluorescent Light Bulb – How It Works

University of Technology, Applied PhysicsEindhoven, Netherlands

Leon Bakker

Spectral Power Distribution and UV IntensitySpectral Power Distribution and UV Intensity3 Lighting Technologies – Fluorescent, Incandescent, LED3 Lighting Technologies – Fluorescent, Incandescent, LED

Each measurementat 300fc

Spectral Power Distribution and UV IntensitySpectral Power Distribution and UV Intensity3 Lighting Technologies – Critical Emission Wavelengths3 Lighting Technologies – Critical Emission Wavelengths

“Visible Violet” N3 Excitation Wavelengths

Polycarbonate UV Filter (Lexan or Macrolon)

Blocks all energy < 390nm

Lighting Standards for Color Grading Colorless Diamonds

1. Grade colorless diamonds with the intent of reporting its true body color absent blue fluorescence.

3. Filter the illumination source to remove long ultra-violet energy, 315 – 400nm.

4. Control the intensity of the illumination at the point of grading. Between 200 and 500 fc (approx. 2200 – 5500 lux) should be used to prevent the light source from overcoming subtle colors. Reduce light intensity below 400fc (4300 lux) to diminish fluorescence-stimulating visible violet energy below 415nm.

AGA Task Force on Lighting and Color Grading Colorless DiamondsAGA Conference, Tucson, AZ

2. The artificial lighting environment should be designed to provide consistent and diffused illumination. Use a contained matte white or light grey environment to remove ambient distractions.

5. Use white artificial light to color grade with a correlated color temperature between 5000 – 6500K. CIE illuminants D50 to D65 should be used as a reference. Energy in the UV spectra defined by these illuminants should be filtered for the specific application of color grading diamonds.

6. At least annually, test the energy environment in which you are professionally color grading. Document UV energy, illumination intensity, and date bulbs last changed.

Solutions for Lighting Standards Compliance

AGA Task Force on Lighting and Color Grading Colorless DiamondsAGA Conference, Tucson, AZ

1. Purchase 2 simple, commercially available meters to monitor and document your grading environment: 1) light meter, and 2) UV radiometer.

2. Change your fluorescent bulbs once a year. Note manufacturer, model number.

3. Before you use the fluorescent bulbs, burn them in for 160hrs to achieve color stability (leave on for 7 days).

4. Buy a piece of lexan or makrolon polycarbonate and affix it to your grading equipment in order to filter UV energy emitted from the bulbs. If you choose to report both perceived color and true body color, make sure the filter can be readily removed.

5. After bulb burn in, take and record UV energy and light intensity measurements at the distance you grade from the light source. Avoid varying this distance when making final color grade decisions.

6. Independent certification of your grading environment by a qualified independent testing lab is suggested for gemologists involved with litigation.

• UV fluorescent bulbs are not all created equally, just like white fluorescent bulbs

• Function similar to white fluorescent bulbs but different phosphors and coatings to control energy emitted

• Black Light bulb (BL) vs Black Light Blue (BLB)

• Use Wood’s Glass=nickel-oxide-doped glass also known as Hoya U-325glass to block visible light above 400nm (VIS)

• Long Wave UV Bulbs peak at 365nm

• Short Wave UV Bulbs peak at 254nm

Black Light Blue bulb BLB has a thin coating of a visible wavelength (VIS) filter generally applied to the

inner wall of the bulb.

Color of the bulb appears “blacklight blue” or “BLB”.

Black Light bulb BL does not include the VIS filter coating. Visible spectrum observable when

powered on.

Wood’s glass is used as a bandpass filter used in combination with a BL bulb. Expensive.

Important Points Different manufacturers use different phosphors, glass, and coatings for different

purposes. Know your bulb !!!

The BL and BLB bulbs are not interchangeable without impacting your fluorescence grading.

CERTIFY YOUR GRADING BOX!