I considered that when posting, though the play of prismatic colors which defines the diamond’s unique lustre, in addition to that same tendency toward internal reflection, are both ultimately caused by the extraordinary refractory properties of the crystal structure, and the refracted light coming out of the diamond after internal reflection is the constituent of the “shine”
Yet another way this is wrong: the primary cause of the adamantine lustre of diamonds is refraction. Any old hunk of metal can reflect light.
Isn’t it caused by internal reflection? That, by definition, is what happens when the light doesn’t refract out of the diamond.
I considered that when posting, though the play of prismatic colors which defines the diamond’s unique lustre, in addition to that same tendency toward internal reflection, are both ultimately caused by the extraordinary refractory properties of the crystal structure, and the refracted light coming out of the diamond after internal reflection is the constituent of the “shine”