You’re brushing up on your engagement ring terms so you can impress your jeweler and the love of your life. Here are two to test your knowledge. What’s the difference between “dispersion” and “fire?” If you’re stumped, that’s okay. These terms are often used interchangeably, but we’re here to set the record straight.

What is Dispersion?

“Dispersion” basically refers to the process that occurs when light hits a diamond. Light is made from a rainbow of colors. And when we see those colors all at once, they appear white. After white light enters a diamond, it starts breaking into separate beams of color. That’s because each color travels at a different speed.

The interior of the diamond then acts like a prism, bouncing the rays of colored light off of its flat, polished surfaces. Think of it as the light “dispersing” inside of the gem. Hence the name “dispersion!” What starts as white light now exits the stone in flashes of color.

Trained gemologists can even measure dispersion with special equipment and assign a value to each gem. Stones that emit more colorful flickers will receive higher values.

What is Fire?

“Fire” specifically refers to those flashes of color that exit a diamond after white light has dispersed. Think of it as the result of dispersion. The amount of fire that your eye sees will fluctuate from gem to gem. You’ll also notice differences in various environments.

What Affects Fire?

If you’re hunting for an engagement ring, you’d probably like a diamond that displays a significant amount of fire. A few key factors are known to influence fire, so keep these on your radar when shopping.

• Diamond cut: “Cut” indicates how well a diamond’s flat, polished surfaces interact with light. Or, how well they disperse light. Gemologists carefully inspect each gem under magnification to calculate the proportions of these surfaces and determine how they affect the stone’s fire. Each gem is then rated on the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) cut scale, which is considered the industry standard for grading diamond cuts. You’ll want to look for diamonds with better cut grades, as they’ll likely produce more fire.

• Lighting: You’ll detect more fire under strong, direct light sources, such as sunlight and bright fluorescent lighting in jewelry stores. However, you won’t see the same effect in softer light. That’s why it’s important to test a diamond in different environments before making a purchase.

• Care and Maintenance: As dust and grime build up, it becomes harder for light to enter the diamond and disperse into colorful wavelengths of light. Therefore, you’ll want to limit exposure to everyday substances, like hairspray, lotion and household cleaners. It’s also a good idea to have your piece professionally cleaned and checked every six months.

Gemstones with the Most Fire

So, which gems will display the most fire on one’s finger? If you guessed diamonds, you’re on the right track. Diamonds typically receive a 0.044 dispersion value, which is higher than rubies (0.018), sapphires (0.018) and emeralds (0.014). Remember, stones with higher dispersion values give off more flashes of color.

However, diamond alternative moissanite actually holds the title for displaying the most fire. Its dispersion value (0.104) is nearly 2.4 times greater than a diamond’s typical value! Moissanite is also durable, versatile and more affordable than diamonds. If you’re shopping on a budget, don’t rule out these sparkling beauties!

Have a question? We can help!

Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling handpicked diamonds, including certified natural and lab grown diamonds, as well as moissanite.

We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our selection of natural and lab grown diamonds, or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.

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