What is 'brilliance'?

Welcome to Gem Dictionary by The Gem Academy where we explain terminology used for gemstones. Let’s learn about ‘brilliance’…

Brilliance is an optical effect caused by light totally internally reflecting (TIR) off the pavilion (back) facets of a facetted gemstone. It specifically refers to the return of white light.
Like with fire, many factors affect the amount of brilliance seen in a gemstone.
- The refractive index (RI) of the gem (the higher the RI, the more easily TIR can be obtained through cutting to specific proportions. The brilliance is seen from more angles that directly face-on).
- Cut shape
- Cut quality – particularly proportions, but symmetry and polish quality can also have an affect
- Clarity of a gem (as inclusions can interrupt the pathways of light)
- Cleanliness of a gem (grease on the surface can affect the stone RI differential reducing TIR)

I hope you’ve enjoyed this lesson. SUBSCRIBE to this channel to get updates of new posts in the future, and thank you so much for watching - see you soon 

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The Gem Academy is an online gemmology school that currently specialises in educating the jewellery trade on laboratory-grown diamonds. I cannot think of anything more important right now. Can you? Expensive and hard to identify. We all need help.

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Want to learn about laboratory-grown diamonds in-depth Julia style? Perfect.

This video was written, produced, and edited by Julia Griffith FGA DGA EG of The Gem Academy. Fellow gemmologist and industry friend :)

[AliceAlwaysHasAnOpinion]

Dropping the diamond when filiming is so real

[TheGemAcademy]

Hey @BilboBaggins - you left a comment about cutting and removed it! That's your business but just so you know I'd love to chat! :)

[lashlanalfredhemachandra]

Have you ever thought of doing test videos. Like you give a basic explanation of the topic, show a few samples and give them a moment before providing the answers? Examples: spectroscope readings, types of treatments, types of inclusions and etc.

I think if you're market is gemology students, these types of tests will get them coming back for more.

[kimmanning]

The conglomeration of music was heard, and considered brilliance.