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Alexandrite

Tsarstone collectors guide


Luminescence

Luminescence
The emission of certain visible wavelengths of light from a substance other than thermal process, which are used as diagnostic determination of gemstones. It is caused by the emission of photons, when an exited atom within the substance returns to the ground state. It is a general term, in which the phosphorescence; the phenomenon continues after the energy source is removed and fluorescence; the phenomenon ceases as soon as the source of the energy is distinguished. Both are particular cases of cold light luminescence. The phenomenon luminescence is very useful in gemology for identification, while some gemstones luminance with different characteristic colors, when irradiated with short-wave ultraviolet, long-wave ultraviolet, or X-rays.
Bibliographic details
Page title Definition of Luminescence
Author David Weinberg
Website title Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide
Date published 03 July 2010 04:44 UTC
Date accessed 21 May 2026 17:52 UTC
Permanent link http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005
AMA style
David Weinberg. "Definition of Luminescence". In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. July 03, 2010, 04:44 UTC. Available at: http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005. Accessed May 21, 2026.
APA style
"Definition of Luminescence". (2010, July 03). In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. Retrieved 17:52, May 21, 2026, from http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005.
Bluebook style
"Definition of Luminescence", http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005 (last visited May 21, 2026).
Bluebook: Harvard JOLT style
See Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide, "Definition of Luminescence", http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005 (The emission of certain visible wavelengths of light from a substance other than thermal process, which are used as diagnostic determination of gemstones. It is caused by the emission of photons, when an exited atom within the substance returns to the ground state. It is a general term, in which the phosphorescence; the phenomenon continues after the energy source is removed and fluorescence; the phenomenon ceases as soon as the source of the energy is distinguished. Both are particular cases of cold light luminescence. The phenomenon luminescence is very useful in gemology for identification, while some gemstones luminance with different characteristic colors, when irradiated with short-wave ultraviolet, long-wave ultraviolet, or X-rays.) (as of May. 21, 2026, 17:52 GMT).
CBE/CSE style
David Weinberg. "Definition of Luminescence". In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. 2010 Jul 03, 04:44 UTC.[Internet], Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide; 2010 Jul 03, 04:44 UTC [cited 2026 May 21]. Available from: http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005.
Chicago style
David Weinberg, "Definition of Luminescence", http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005, (accessed May 21, 2026).
MLA style
"Definition of Luminescence". Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. 03 Jul 2010, 04:44 UTC. 21 May 2026 http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005
MHRA style
David Weinberg, "Definition of Luminescence", Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide, 03 July 2010, 04:44 UTC, http://m.alexandrite.net/viewpage.html?id=GG-097-00005 [accessed 21 May 2026].
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