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phosphorescence

Phosphorescence in contrast to fluorescence

Together with fluorescence, phosphorescence is part of the optical phenomenon of luminescence. Gemstones in which luminescence occurs are characterized by their cold glow.

If a gemstone has phosphorescence or fluorescence, it shimmers in certain colors when exposed to UV radiation. The difference between the two is that with fluorescence the effect only lasts during the irradiation, while with phosphorescence an afterglow can be observed for a longer period of time. There are only very few gemstones that have phosphorescence - fluorescence, on the other hand, occurs much more often.

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Phosphoreszenz des Hope Diamant The blue Hope diamond is famous for its red phosphorescence (1)

Phosphorescence and its specific properties

The duration of the phosphorescence can vary from gemstone to gemstone, from fractions of a second to several hours. It can be observed that the glow gradually becomes weaker until it is no longer visible.

The name phosphorescence is derived from phosphorus, the element in which this light figure was first discovered.

Usually, deposits of foreign minerals in the crystal lattice structure of a gemstone are responsible for its phosphorescence.

A famous example of the occurrence of this phenomenon are blue diamonds, such as the legendary Hope Diamond , which glow red after exposure to UV light. Other gemstones that can exhibit phosphorescence are kunzite and sodalite.

Although phosphorescence is an interesting property of gemstones, it is only rarely suitable for their identification. This is partly because phosphorescence does not occur in all gemstones of a type and not always to the same extent.

(1) Image source: Wikipedia, Photographer: David Bjorgen

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