There are a plethora of qualities that make a diamond, well, a diamond. Many would agree however, that the most distinctive feature of a diamond is its exemplary and magnificent sparkle and luster. And they would be correct.
It is understandable thus, that nothing freaks out a diamond owner like watching their diamond appear less shiny, dull, or worse, cloudy.
Having an otherwise dazzling diamond appear cloudy and foggy in sunlight is a more common concern than you might fathom. If you are experiencing this dilemma and are confused about it, you have come to the right place.
This article will be covering all the possible reasons that it might be happening, and what you can do about it.
Very High Fluorescence
Perhaps the most important reason that your sparkly diamond suddenly becomes cloudy under sunlight is that it has a significantly high fluorescence.
Fluorescence is a feature of diamonds and refers to the colored glow of these under UV light. This means that when exposed to UV light, stones with a high fluorescence give off colored hues, often blue.
Although most of the time fluorescence does not really impact the appearance of the diamond, it is possible for it to make the diamond look milky and cloudy, especially under sunlight. This commonly occurs with diamonds that are colorless.
Since it is not possible to alter the fluorescence of a diamond, it is best to analyze it thoroughly before making the purchase.
You can view the diamond under UV light to get a better idea of its fluorescence. It is also mentioned in the GIA/AGS report that comes with the diamond.
Presence of Inclusions
Most often, the reason for diamonds appearing cloudy in sunlight is that they contain inclusions that are invisible otherwise, but pop up in bright light such as under the sun.
This is especially true if your diamond has a lower clarity grade, usually below SI1 or SI2.
Although most diamonds contain inclusions to various degrees, the problem arises if they are located at critical spots and affect light reflection, or if they cluster together.
The most notable inclusion is a cloud, which is a grouping of tiny pinpoints. Clouds can become drastically prominent under harsh light and greatly affect the brilliance of the diamond.
Similarly, other inclusions such as twinning wisps and feathers can also contribute to the cloudy appearance of a diamond under sunlight.
Inclusions are a natural constituent of the stone, so there is not much that you can do to fix them. The only solution here is to look for diamonds with a better clarity grade, and to be vigilant when making the purchase.
It is not unusual for GIA reports to fail in mentioning the details about clouds and other inclusions. As a rule of thumb, the sentence “Clarity grade is based on clouds not shown” on a GIA report should raise antennas.
Obtaining ideal scope and ASET images of a diamond while making the purchase can also aid in avoiding this. Here’s a guide on how to get ASET images from big jewelry brands.
Presence of Dirt/Oil
Another frequent cause of a diamond appearing milky or cloudy under sunlight is that the diamond is not clean. The dirt, debris and oil from the fingers can get stuck and impacted on the diamond, and is amplified under the bright light of the sun.
This is especially the case when these products collect under the pavilion or the bottom part of the diamond.
Similarly, products such as hand lotions can also form a film over the diamond and cause that effect.
The solution to this problem is fairly simple, and involves frequent and rigorous cleaning of the diamond. You can easily do that at home, ideally on a weekly basis.
All you need is some warm water, a dishwashing liquid and a soft toothbrush. The most widely recommended liquid soap for the cleaning of diamonds is the Dawn dishwashing soap, as it has the desirable ingredients and is unlikely to cause any damage.
Reflection of the Sky
As insignificant as it may sound, it is entirely possible that the cloudiness of your diamond under sunlight might just be the reflection of the sky.
This is mostly true for very clear, colorless diamonds. The cut and specifications of these diamonds cause them to reflect the colors of the sky as though their own. If you suspect this to be the case, try viewing the diamond under shade such as beneath a tree.
Poor Cut of the Diamond
Any person who knows diamonds will tell you that the most important characteristic contributing to the brilliance and fire of a diamond is its cut.
A poorly cut diamond will have asymmetrical facets and angles that do not work together. As a result, the light falling on the diamond might not be reflected back and instead, scattered within the stone.
When this happens, naturally the stone appears dull and hazy. This phenomenon is especially exhibited in sunlight because the light is harsher and falls at specific angles.
The cut of the diamond is its feature and you can not fix it. However, it is wiser to pay special attention to the cut of the diamond while purchasing it. Excellent cut diamonds are often superior to ideal cuts in this regard.
Scratches on the Surface of the Diamond
A less likely cause of diamond appearing cloudy under sunlight is the irregular and rough surface of the diamond.
Although this is most often evident without sunlight as well, it is entirely possible for the scratches to become visible only under the harsh, angled light of the sun.
If the diamond has scratches on the surface, they will affect the way light enters it and is reflected. This can result in an overall hazy, cloudy appearance.
This problem has an easy fix. All you have to do is take the diamond to a jeweler and have it polished.
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