Gemstone Optical Properties

The Properties of Light

Electromagnetic Energy

Light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, one of the fundamental energies of the universe. It’s present everywhere in substantial amounts.

Light energy travels in waves. The energies on the electromagnetic spectrum differ simply by their wavelengths. Some are shorter, some longer. Wavelength has nothing to do with the amount of energy carried. Wave amplitude determines that. All wavelengths can be high or low in energy.

Although, in nature, all electromagnetic energy is essentially the same, varying wavelengths have different characters. For example, we relate to some as radio waves, others as X-rays. We see a very tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum as light. Within this section, we perceive different wavelengths as colors. When we see all the wavelengths at once, we describe it as white light. The color black is a lack of electromagnetic energy in this portion of the spectrum.

Just beyond the section of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, we find ultraviolet and infrared light. Some animals can see these light frequencies, but humans can’t. We can sense them, but not with our eyes. Ultraviolet can give us sunburn, and we feel…