Let’s dive into the captivating world of diamond sparkle and explore the secret behind those mesmerizing flashes of light.
In a nutshell, it all boils down to the dance between light and a diamond’s cut. The cut type and quality are crucial in a diamond’s interaction with its luminous surroundings. A diamond’s angles, proportions, and facets hold the key to its dazzling performance when it comes face-to-face with light.
You might be using the word “sparkle” as a general term to describe a diamond’s visual effect under the spotlight. Of course, there is more to it, but that firework-like light play is what we all love, right?
Picture this: When a beam of light enters a diamond, it creates that sought-after brilliance. The light travels through the diamond, bouncing off its inner surfaces, also known as facets. But the real magic happens here: The light has two choices. It can either escape the diamond as brilliant white light, known as brightness, or it can transform into the magnificent hues of the rainbow. Yes, we’re talking about the fiery colors that span the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet — a phenomenon aptly named “fire.”
Dispersion
Dispersion is a physical constant. When visible light enters a diamond, it slows and separates into its component colors. The way a diamond is cut will influence the dispersive output, but dispersion is a scientifically repeatable constant.
Fire
Fire is the human perception of dispersion, making it a variable aesthetic. Your eyes may or may not see the dispersive output as fire. Whether you perceive dispersion as fire is variable – and not just diamond to diamond – you can see different fires from the same diamond in different environments. You can even see different fires in the same environment at different times, depending on the constriction or dilation of your pupils. Depending on eyesight, acuity, and age, two observers can simultaneously be in the same room with the same diamond and see different dispersions. Diamond fire is a beautiful, wild variable.