Chapter 7 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the relationship between a diamond and light?

A

It consists of how light strikes the surface, travels within the diamond, and returns to the eye.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the key elements that affect a polished diamond’s interaction with light?

A

Diamond’s optical properties, design, and quality of its cut.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is reflection in the context of light interaction with surfaces?

A

When part of the light returns to the observer after hitting the boundary of two different materials.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does the law of reflection state?

A

The angle at which light approaches the surface is equal to the angle at which light returns from the surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the angle of incidence?

A

The angle at which a light ray strikes the surface, measured from the normal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What happens to the angle of reflection when the angle of incidence changes?

A

The angle of reflection also changes; they are always equal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What type of surfaces generate high reflection?

A

Smooth surfaces, such as mirrors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is incident light?

A

Light approaching a surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the difference between high reflection and low reflection?

A

High reflection makes an object look shiny, while low reflection makes it look dull.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What occurs during refraction?

A

Part of the light is reflected, while the rest enters the material, changing direction and speed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the angle of refraction?

A

The angle between the normal and the refracted light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is optical density?

A

The ability of a material to slow down light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is refractive index (RI)?

A

A measure of how the speed and direction of light change in a material compared to in air.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the refractive index of diamond?

A

2.417.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When does refracted light bend toward the normal?

A

When light travels from a less refractive material to a more refractive material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens to light when it enters a diamond from the air?

A

It bends toward the normal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Fill in the blank: The angle of incidence is larger than the angle of refraction when light travels from a _______ to a _______ material.

A

less refractive, more refractive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

True or False: Rough surfaces generate high reflection.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does the speed of light depend on?

A

The material it travels through

Different materials have varying effects on the speed of light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How do tightly bonded carbon atoms in diamond affect light speed?

A

They dramatically slow incoming light

The structure of diamond’s atoms is crucial in this process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which materials slow light less than diamond?

A
  • Quartz
  • Corundum
  • Topaz

These materials have atoms that are not as tightly packed and are made of different elements.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the speed of light in a near-vacuum of outer space?

A

About 300,000 kilometers per second

This is the maximum speed of light in a vacuum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the speed of light in water?

A

About 225,000 kilometers per second

Water slows light compared to its speed in a vacuum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the speed of light in diamond?

A

About 124,000 kilometers per second

This is significantly slower than in water and a vacuum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What happens to light when it leaves a diamond and returns to air?

A

It resumes its original speed

This illustrates how light behaves differently in various materials.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What happens when light passes from a higher-RI material to a lower-RI material at an angle?

A

The refracted light bends away from the normal, making the angle of incidence smaller than the angle of refraction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is total internal reflection?

A

It occurs when light cannot escape the material anymore and is totally reflected back into the material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the critical angle?

A

The incident angle where the angle of refraction reaches 90 degrees and total internal reflection begins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How does the critical angle vary with the refractive index?

A

Materials with higher RIs have smaller critical angles, and materials with lower RIs have larger critical angles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Why is the critical angle important to diamond cutters?

A

It is related to the light performance of fashioned diamonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the critical angle cone?

A

A cone formed by light rays hitting a surface at the same angle from any direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What happens to light rays approaching the surface outside the critical angle cone?

A

They are completely reflected back into the material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is the ideal path of a light ray entering a diamond?

A

It enters the crown, strikes the pavilion outside the critical angle, reflects to the opposite side, and then exits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

True or False: Light rays can strike a surface at the same angle from only one direction in three-dimensional space.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What forms a three-dimensional cone around the normal on a facet’s surface?

A

All light rays that strike a specific point on a facet’s surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Fill in the blank: Light rays that hit the surface or boundary at the same angle together form a cone called the _______.

A

critical angle cone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What occurs as long as light rays are outside the critical angle cone?

A

They don’t exit the stone but are reflected internally.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What happens to light rays within a polished diamond as they approach the inner surfaces of its facets?

A

They approach at different points and may exit the diamond almost parallel to the outer surface of the facet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is the critical angle of diamond?

A

24.5 degrees.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What occurs when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle in a diamond?

A

Total internal reflection occurs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What must light do to achieve total internal reflection in a diamond?

A

Hit the inner surface of a facet at an angle larger than the critical angle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Why are well-cut diamonds so bright?

A

Facet angles are designed to reflect as much light internally as possible before it exits the stone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

How does the small critical angle of diamond affect light exit opportunities?

A

It limits the opportunity for light to exit the diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What effect does a very deep or very shallow pavilion have on light rays in a diamond?

A

It forces light rays to approach the inner surfaces at angles smaller than the critical angle, allowing them to exit the stone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

True or False: Light rays can exit the diamond if they approach the inner surfaces at angles larger than the critical angle.

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Fill in the blank: The angle at which light can no longer exit the diamond is called the _______.

A

[critical angle].

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What principle affects all aspects of the diamond industry?

A

The principles of total internal reflection and critical angle

These principles are crucial in understanding how light interacts with diamonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What remarkable affinity does diamond have?

A

Diamond has a remarkable affinity for grease and oily substances

This property is utilized in the mining process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

How do miners separate diamonds from waste materials?

A

Miners use a grease table to separate diamonds from waste materials

This method takes advantage of the diamond’s affinity for grease.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What problem arises when diamonds are mounted in jewelry?

A

The diamond’s surface can become covered with a layer of grease

This affects the optical properties of the diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of air?

A

The RI of air is roughly 1

This is a standard value used in optics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of grease?

A

The RI of grease is about 1.5

Grease has a higher RI than air but lower than diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What is the critical angle of diamond relative to air?

A

The critical angle of diamond relative to air is 24.5 degrees

This angle is important for understanding light behavior at the diamond’s surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What is the critical angle of diamond relative to grease?

A

The critical angle of diamond relative to grease is about 38 degrees

This larger angle can lead to increased light loss.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Fill in the blank: Due to the smaller difference in RI between diamond and grease, diamond’s critical angle relative to grease is about _______.

A

38 degrees

This is compared to the critical angle relative to air.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What effect does the larger critical angle relative to grease have on diamonds?

A

It gives light more opportunity to exit the diamond and cause unnecessary light loss

This can make the diamond appear dull.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What principle affects all aspects of the diamond industry?

A

The principles of total internal reflection and critical angle

These principles are crucial in understanding how light interacts with diamonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What remarkable affinity does diamond have?

A

Diamond has a remarkable affinity for grease and oily substances

This property is utilized in the mining process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

How do miners separate diamonds from waste materials?

A

Miners use a grease table to separate diamonds from waste materials

This method takes advantage of the diamond’s affinity for grease.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

What problem arises when diamonds are mounted in jewelry?

A

The diamond’s surface can become covered with a layer of grease

This affects the optical properties of the diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of air?

A

The RI of air is roughly 1

This is a standard value used in optics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of grease?

A

The RI of grease is about 1.5

Grease has a higher RI than air but lower than diamond.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

What is the critical angle of diamond relative to air?

A

The critical angle of diamond relative to air is 24.5 degrees

This angle is important for understanding light behavior at the diamond’s surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

What is the critical angle of diamond relative to grease?

A

The critical angle of diamond relative to grease is about 38 degrees

This larger angle can lead to increased light loss.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

Fill in the blank: Due to the smaller difference in RI between diamond and grease, diamond’s critical angle relative to grease is about _______.

A

38 degrees

This is compared to the critical angle relative to air.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What effect does the larger critical angle relative to grease have on diamonds?

A

It gives light more opportunity to exit the diamond and cause unnecessary light loss

This can make the diamond appear dull.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What is white light?

A

A combination of spectral colors, each with a different wavelength and energy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

Do the colored wavelengths of white light travel at the same speed in a vacuum?

A

Yes, they travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

What happens to the speed of white light in different mediums?

A

It travels at different speeds in any other medium or material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

What is dispersion?

A

An optical phenomenon where white light separates into its spectral colors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

What causes dispersion?

A

The difference in the speed of colored wavelengths when entering a material with a high refractive index (RI).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

In a diamond, which color of light slows down more?

A

Violet light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

Which color of light bends more in a diamond?

A

Violet light bends more than red light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of violet light in a diamond?

A

2.451.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What is the refractive index (RI) of red light in a diamond?

A

2.407.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

What is the measure of diamond’s dispersion?

A

0.044, the difference between the RI of violet and red light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

How is a material’s dispersion measured?

A

By the RI difference between the violet and red light rays in the material.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

What characteristic property helps distinguish diamonds from other transparent gems?

A

Dispersion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

Fill in the blank: Dispersion is an optical property that is characteristic for a _______.

A

[material].

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

What is the total distance that a light ray travels in a gemstone called?

A

Path length

Path length influences color appearance due to visible light absorption.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

How does path length affect color appearance in gemstones?

A

Greater distance light travels leads to more absorption

Thicker portions of a material absorb more light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

What can modify the path length in gemstones?

A

Cutting

Careful and skilled cutting can optimize path length.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

What is the effect of well-cut diamonds compared to poorly cut stones?

A

Better light performance and color appearance

Well-cut diamonds are typically more attractive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

What attributes demonstrate a diamond’s light performance?

A

Brightness, fire, and scintillation

These attributes are affected by the quality of the diamond’s cut.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

How do cutters typically design diamonds for brightness?

A

By ensuring light rays reflect outside the critical angle

This design allows light to reflect back toward the crown.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

What does brightness in diamonds refer to?

A

The amount of light that returns to the observer’s eye

It can be reflected off the inside of the diamond or crown facets.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

Fill in the blank: The design of the cut affects the appearance of _______ in colored diamonds.

A

Color

The cut design plays a critical role in how color is perceived.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

True or False: A skillfully cut diamond’s proportions do not influence its interaction with light.

A

False

Well-cut diamonds optimize their interaction with light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

What is the primary factor contributing to a diamond’s brightness?

A

Extremely high luster

Luster is the appearance of the surface in reflected light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

How does the refractive index (RI) of a material relate to its luster?

A

Materials with higher RIs tend to have higher luster.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

What surface condition produces a clear reflection in gemstones?

A

A smooth, even surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

What effect do uneven surfaces have on light reflection?

A

They appear fuzzy or frosty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

What is the refractive index of diamond described as?

A

Exceptionally high.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

What characteristic of diamonds allows them to maintain a superior polish?

A

Superior hardness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

What term describes the distinctive luster of a finished diamond?

A

Adamantine.

96
Q

What does the term ‘adamantine’ mean?

A

Diamond-like.

97
Q

What is the highest luster description for transparent gemstones?

A

Adamantine.

98
Q

What type of luster do most other gems have?

A

Vitreous luster.

99
Q

What does vitreous luster mean?

A

Glass-like.

100
Q

When light strikes a well-polished diamond at a 90-degree angle, what percentage is reflected?

A

17 percent.

101
Q

What percentage of light enters a well-polished diamond when struck at a 90-degree angle?

A

83 percent.

102
Q

How much light does glass reflect when struck at a 90-degree angle?

A

4 percent.

103
Q

What can distinguish diamonds from most other gemstones?

A

Adamantine luster.

104
Q

What factors influence the brightness and darkness of a diamond?

A

Reflection of the observer and their clothing color.

105
Q

Fill in the blank: The gem reflects the ________, which affects the brightness of the diamond.

106
Q

What are the two components of scintillation?

A

Sparkle and pattern

Sparkle appears as flashing spots of light, while pattern involves the arrangement and contrast of bright and dark areas.

107
Q

What does sparkle in a diamond refer to?

A

Flashing spots of light

In a well-cut diamond, sparkle is evenly distributed and balanced in size.

108
Q

What factors contribute to the pattern in a diamond’s scintillation?

A

Relative size, arrangement, and contrast of bright and dark areas

Bright areas result from surface and internal reflections, while dark areas may represent loss of light or reflections from surrounding objects.

109
Q

What effect does a steep crown or deep pavilion have on a diamond’s appearance?

A

Makes the diamond darker

Standard dimensions for crown or pavilion would typically allow more light, making the diamond appear brighter.

110
Q

What happens if a diamond has an off-center culet?

A

The diamond’s pattern becomes off-center

This misalignment affects the overall appearance of the diamond.

111
Q

How does contrast between bright and dark areas affect a diamond’s appearance?

A

Gives the pattern a crisp, sharp look

A lack of contrast can make a diamond appear dull and gray.

112
Q

What is the effect of prominent dark areas in a diamond?

A

Detracts from the diamond’s face-up appearance

Excessively dark patterns can result from the cutter’s choices to retain weight from the rough.

113
Q

What is the fish-eye pattern in a diamond?

A

A pale gray reflection of the girdle just inside the table facet

This pattern is typically caused by a shallow pavilion.

114
Q

What does the term ‘nailheads’ refer to in diamond patterns?

A

Dark area in the center of the table facet

This pattern can affect the diamond’s overall aesthetic.

115
Q

What characterizes the dark radiating mains pattern in diamonds?

A

A dark spoke-like pattern of radiating pavilion mains

This pattern can contribute to a diamond’s perceived darkness.

116
Q

Fill in the blank: A diamond pattern that lacks contrast can look _______.

A

Dull and gray

Contrast is essential for a diamond’s brilliance.

117
Q

True or False: Light leakage from a diamond can enhance its optical performance.

A

False

Light leakage typically diminishes a diamond’s optical performance.

118
Q

What is the hearts and arrows pattern?

A

A highly desired diamond cut that shows heart and arrow shapes

This pattern is familiar among consumers and is often patented and branded.

119
Q

How does a polished diamond interact with light?

A

The interaction is complex

Not all diamonds with high brightness and fire have attractive patterns.

120
Q

What impact do patterns have on a diamond’s appearance?

A

Some patterns can detract from a diamond’s appearance more than others

Examples include fish-eyes and dark centers.

121
Q

What are fish-eyes in diamonds?

A

A detrimental pattern that negatively affects a diamond’s appearance

Fish-eyes are often considered undesirable.

122
Q

What effect do dark centers have on a diamond?

A

They are very detrimental to a diamond’s appearance

Dark centers can make the diamond look less appealing.

123
Q

When are dark radiating mains distracting in a diamond?

A

When they extend beyond the table facet, cause the center around the culet to appear dark face-up, or both

This can significantly affect the visual appeal of the diamond.

124
Q

What term describes a diamond’s display of dispersion?

125
Q

What does ‘fire’ refer to in the context of diamonds?

A

The rainbow colors visible when you move a well-cut diamond under an overhead spotlight

126
Q

What causes fire in a diamond?

A

The arrangement of a diamond’s facets and the angles between them

127
Q

True or False: Every diamond shows the same amount of fire.

128
Q

What influences the fire seen in the face-up view of a diamond?

A

Four factors

129
Q

Fill in the blank: Not all gems separate light enough for dispersion to be visible, but _______ do.

130
Q

Do all diamonds have the same dispersion value?

131
Q

What effect does the angle of incidence have on light?

A

It affects the way light separates into its spectral colors.

132
Q

What happens when a light ray strikes perpendicular to a facet surface?

A

It travels into the gem without separating.

133
Q

What occurs at greater angles of incidence?

A

The spread of spectral colors widens.

134
Q

True or False: A light ray strikes a facet surface at a perpendicular angle; it will separate into spectral colors.

135
Q

Fill in the blank: At greater angles, the spread of spectral colors _______.

136
Q

What happens when a ray of white light enters a diamond?

A

It begins to separate into its spectral colors.

This process is known as dispersion.

137
Q

What effect does the angle of incidence have on the dispersion of light in a diamond?

A

The greater the angle, the greater the refraction.

At a maximum interior angle of incidence of 24.5 degrees, the spread of colors is more visible.

138
Q

At what angle of incidence is the difference between the angles of refraction for violet and red light very small?

A

One degree.

At one degree, the difference is less than one one-hundredth of a degree.

139
Q

How does the number of interactions a light ray has with a diamond’s internal facets affect dispersion?

A

Dispersion increases every time light reflects or refracts.

This occurs many times in a well-cut diamond.

140
Q

What is the relationship between path length in a diamond and the visibility of spectral colors?

A

The longer the path length, the greater the difference between spectral colors, making them more visible.

141
Q

What role do facet junctions play in the dispersion of light within a diamond?

A

They influence the paths of colored light rays, allowing them to take different routes and contribute to fire.

142
Q

How does the exit angle of light rays affect the fire of a diamond?

A

The smaller the exit angle, the larger the angle of refraction, spreading the colored bands farther apart.

143
Q

What design feature in diamond cuts can enhance fire?

A

Higher numbers of crown facets.

This design takes advantage of light dispersion.

144
Q

How does diffused lighting affect a diamond’s appearance?

A

It emphasizes brightness but suppresses fire.

Diffused lighting comes from all angles, impacting how light interacts with the diamond.

145
Q

Fill in the blank: The first factor affecting fire in a diamond is the angle at which light _______.

A

enters the diamond.

146
Q

True or False: The angle of light entry does not affect the fire of a diamond.

147
Q

What is directional lighting also called?

A

Spot lighting or point source lighting

148
Q

What effect does directional lighting have on a diamond?

A

It strikes a diamond only from certain angles, contrasting with surrounding dark areas to bring out the fire in a diamond

149
Q

What types of lighting create a balance between brightness and fire in diamonds?

A

A mix of fluorescent and incandescent lighting

150
Q

How can one best observe the fire in a diamond?

A

By rocking and tilting it and changing its orientation

151
Q

What must occur for the dispersed light waves to be seen as fire?

A

They must travel separately to your eye

152
Q

What happens to colored light as it exits a diamond?

A

It can recombine into white light

153
Q

Why are diamonds best appreciated face-up?

A

Cutters direct the greatest display of fire through the gem’s crown

154
Q

What can produce the appearance of fire in a diamond?

A

Background colors, like clothing or objects of contrasting color surrounding a diamond

155
Q

How is a diamond’s color appearance related to visible light?

A

It is directly related to its absorption of visible light

156
Q

What influences the color appearance of a diamond?

A

Where and how much absorption occurs on the visible spectrum

157
Q

What dictates where absorption occurs in a diamond?

A

The types of defects

158
Q

What determines the amount of absorption in a diamond?

A

The concentrations of the defects and light path length

159
Q

What factors determine the types of defects in a diamond?

A

Nature during diamond formation

160
Q

What is the only factor humans can control regarding diamond absorption?

A

The path length that light travels in a diamond

161
Q

What can cutters do to change the path length in a diamond?

A

Cut and recut the diamond

162
Q

Why is controlling the path length important for colored diamonds?

A

It affects the color appearance of a faceted stone

163
Q

What does the path length of a light ray within a diamond depend on?

A

The arrangement of the facets and the angles between them.

The specific geometry affects how light travels through the diamond.

164
Q

How can cutters affect the path length of light in a diamond?

A

By changing the cutting style.

Different cutting styles can manipulate the angles and arrangement of facets.

165
Q

Fill in the blank: The path length of a light ray within a diamond can be _______ by changing the cutting style.

A

elongated or shortened.

166
Q

What happens to light when it enters a diamond?

A

It keeps traveling within the stone until it exits.

167
Q

What determines the total distance light travels before exiting a diamond?

A

The angles and arrangement of the stone’s facets.

168
Q

How can cutters influence the path that light travels in a diamond?

A

Through cut design.

169
Q

What is the effect of a shortened path length in a diamond?

A

Less absorption, resulting in a lighter color.

170
Q

What happens when the path length in a diamond is longer?

A

Increased absorption, giving the diamond a deeper color.

171
Q

Why is optimization of color appearance important for cutters?

A

It is a critical skill for cutters dealing with colored diamonds.

172
Q

Fill in the blank: A _______ path length results in less absorption in a diamond.

173
Q

True or False: The cut design of a diamond has no effect on the light path.

174
Q

What contributes to a diamond’s overall cut grade?

A

Each facet in a well-cut diamond

175
Q

What do the facets of a diamond interact with?

176
Q

What affects a diamond’s face-up appearance?

A

The interaction of facets with light

177
Q

What two factors contribute to a diamond’s appearance?

A

Basic proportions and precision of facets

178
Q

How does every angle and facet affect a diamond?

A

Affects the amount of light returned or lost

179
Q

What is often considered the most important value factor in a purchasing decision for diamonds?

180
Q

What are proportions in the context of a diamond?

A

The angles and relative measurements of a polished gem

181
Q

What role do proportions play in a diamond?

A

Key role in light performance and appearance

182
Q

What is the most critical decision for a diamond cutter?

A

The proportions of a finished diamond

183
Q

For a reliable cut grading system, what must be answered?

A

Two important questions regarding proportions and appearance

184
Q

What are the two important questions that must be answered for a cut grading system?

A
  • What changes in proportions create distinctions in appearance visible to an observer?
  • Which proportions are attractive or unattractive to most observers?
185
Q

What organization conducted research on diamond cut?

A

GIA

GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America.

186
Q

What technology did GIA develop to study diamond light behavior?

A

An advanced light ray tracing computer program

187
Q

What was the purpose of GIA’s diamond cut research?

A

To understand how light behaves within a round brilliant diamond

188
Q

How many observations were made during GIA’s testing?

A

More than 70,000

189
Q

What aspects of diamonds were assessed in GIA’s observations?

A
  • Brightness
  • Fire
  • Cut appearance
190
Q

What did GIA’s research determine about diamond proportions?

A

A range of proportions can enhance a diamond’s beauty

191
Q

What system was developed as a result of GIA’s research and testing?

A

The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System

192
Q

True or False: The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System allows only a single set of proportions.

193
Q

Fill in the blank: The majority of people prefer diamonds in the _______ cut grades.

194
Q

What types of observers participated in GIA’s testing?

A

Observers from all sectors of the industry, including consumers

195
Q

What was the purpose of GIA’s largest-scale observation testing?

A

To validate the results of light ray tracing research on diamond proportions

The testing aimed to ensure the accuracy of the grading system based on actual observations.

196
Q

How many round brilliant diamonds were tested in GIA’s observation study?

A

More than 2,300 round brilliant diamonds

The diamonds included various proportion combinations.

197
Q

Who were the observers selected for the diamond testing?

A

Observers included industry professionals and consumers

This diverse selection contributed to the reliability of the results.

198
Q

What was one of the key outcomes of the testing regarding brightness and fire?

A

Validated the computer modeling for brightness and fire

This refinement ensured results reflected actual diamond appearances under standard lighting.

199
Q

What other components of face-up appearance were analyzed during the testing?

A

Scintillation and aspects of cut quality

Design and craftsmanship were also included in the analysis.

200
Q

What did the researchers determine about observer variation in diamond components?

A

Determined how much variation in any component observers could consistently see

This included levels of brightness and the number of distinguishable cut grade categories.

201
Q

What inherent aspect did researchers discover about grading systems?

A

Personal and regional preferences in appearance

This suggests multiple equally attractive appearances can exist within a grade category.

202
Q

What predictive system did GIA create as a result of the observation testing?

A

A predictive diamond cut grading system

This system predicts cut grades consistent with those assigned by the majority of observers.

203
Q

How many proportion combinations are in the cut database created by GIA?

A

More than 38.5 million proportion combinations

The database supports diamond manufacturers in their cutting decisions.

204
Q

True or False: The predictive nature of GIA’s system allows for consistent cut grade predictions.

A

True

The predictions are aligned with the majority of observer assessments.

205
Q

What grading system is applied to round brilliant diamonds?

A

GIA Cut Grading System

206
Q

What are the five cut grades assigned by the GIA Cut Grading System?

A
  • Excellent (Ex)
  • Very Good (VG)
  • Good (G)
  • Fair (F)
  • Poor (P)
207
Q

What additional factors should be considered when grading a round brilliant diamond?

A
  • Design quality
  • Craftsmanship
208
Q

What does ‘design’ refer to in the context of diamond grading?

A

A fashioned diamond’s proportions and durability

209
Q

What is craftsmanship in diamond grading?

A

Evidenced by the gem’s polish and symmetry

210
Q

What is ‘polish’ in the context of diamonds?

A

The overall condition of the facet surfaces of a finished diamond

211
Q

What does ‘symmetry’ describe in diamond grading?

A

The exactness of a finished gem’s shape and the placement of its facets

212
Q

What qualities make a diamond attractive?

A
  • Bright
  • Fiery
  • Sparkling
  • Pleasing overall appearance
213
Q

What cut grade virtually guarantees an attractive diamond?

A

Excellent (Ex)

214
Q

Are diamonds graded Very Good and Good also considered beautiful?

215
Q

How have advancements in cutting technology affected the availability of diamonds graded Fair and Poor?

A

Diamonds graded Fair and Poor are not as common

216
Q

What are the three main aspects used to estimate a diamond’s cut grade?

A

Brightness, pattern, fire

These aspects are visually evaluated to determine the quality of a diamond’s cut.

217
Q

Why is a standardized viewing environment important for diamond grading?

A

It ensures consistent and repeatable results

Variations in lighting and background can affect the perceived quality of a diamond.

218
Q

What type of lighting is beneficial for evaluating a diamond’s brightness and pattern?

A

Diffused fluorescent lighting

This type of lighting helps to assess these characteristics but may suppress fire.

219
Q

What effect does spot lighting have on a diamond’s appearance?

A

It emphasizes fire but can overwhelm other characteristics

If the spot lighting is too strong, it may make the gem appear dark.

220
Q

What is the GIA DiamondDockTM designed to provide?

A

Consistent and repeatable viewing conditions

This tool helps in standardizing the grading process for diamonds.

221
Q

What type of light does the GIA DiamondDockTM use for judging brightness?

A

Daylight-equivalent diffused fluorescent light

This lighting is crucial for assessing brightness and face-up pattern.

222
Q

What type of lights does the GIA DiamondDockTM use to judge fire?

A

An array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are effective for evaluating the fire characteristic of diamonds.

223
Q

Fill in the blank: Diamonds reflect everything around them, including a viewer’s or grader’s _______.

A

clothing

This reflection can influence the grading results.

224
Q

True or False: The same diamond looks the same under all types of lighting.

A

False

Diamonds can appear quite different depending on the lighting conditions.

225
Q

What is the first step a grader takes after cleaning a diamond?

A

The grader puts the diamond face-up in a grading tray

The tray is then placed into the lighting environment.

226
Q

What type of light does the grader first use to assess the diamond’s brightness?

A

Fluorescent light

This light helps evaluate the diamond’s brightness and pattern.

227
Q

How is the diamond’s brightness rated?

A

From Excellent to Poor

The rating depends on how ‘lively’ the stone appears.

228
Q

What does the grader assess after brightness to assign a pattern grade?

A

The amount of contrast and the balance between bright and dark areas

This also receives a rating from Excellent to Poor.

229
Q

What lighting is used to evaluate the diamond’s fire?

A

Spot lighting

This helps assess the flashes of fire visible in the diamond.

230
Q

What is the rating scale for the diamond’s fire?

A

From Excellent to Poor

This rating reflects the visible flashes of fire.

231
Q

How is the initial cut grade estimate determined?

A

Based on the lowest rating assigned for brightness, fire, or pattern

For example, if brightness and fire are Very Good but pattern is Good, the cut grade estimate is Good.

232
Q

What is assessed after the visual assessment of face-up appearance?

A

The diamond’s proportions

This is part of the grading process.

233
Q

What additional factors are considered for the overall cut grade?

A

Symmetry and polish

These factors complete the overall assessment of the diamond’s cut quality.

234
Q

What are the three cut quality factors?

A
  • Face-Up appearance
  • Design
  • Craftsmanship

These factors contribute to the overall quality of the diamond’s cut.

235
Q

True or False: A penlight or small flashlight can be used to assess a diamond’s fire.

A

True

This is an optional method for grading.

236
Q

What type of light is also acceptable for grading brightness and pattern?

A

A microscope’s overhead fluorescent light

This provides another method to evaluate these aspects.