In today’s article: “VS1 Vs. VS2 Price Difference” we’ll compare the two of the most popular diamond clarity grades to help you decide which one is right for you. Though these diamonds aren’t perfect, they are an excellent compromise between price and quality.
But what precisely separates a VS1 diamond from a VS2 diamond? How do you know which one to pick? Is the quality of their cut suitable for an engagement ring?
Beginning with a brief definition of diamond clarity and a rundown of the clarity grades, we hope to help you better understand everything related to VS-quality diamonds.
To further clarify the difference between these two diamond clarity grades, we’ll go through chapters like – Benefits of VS1 and VS2 Diamonds, VS1 vs. VS2 – Price Difference, and more!
So, without any further ado, let’s jump straight into the article!
What Is Diamond Clarity?
Before we go into the topic of whether VS1 or VS2 is better, we’ll give you a brief yet thorough explanation of diamond clarity and its grades.
So, what exactly is diamond clarity?
In all seriousness, a diamond’s clarity may seem to be too complex to grasp at first look, yet this is far from the whole truth.
Diamond clarity is a metric that defines a diamond’s aesthetic appearance. In a word, it is a diamond quality grading system that can determine how pure a diamond is.
Over millions of years, diamonds have been formed hundreds of miles below the surface. All sorts of imperfection-inducing substances may come into contact with them during this period.
So, there are two types of imperfections that may occur in diamonds: surface ones called blemishes and internal ones – inclusions.
Related Read: Diamond Color vs. Clarity: Which Factor Is More Important?
Diamond Clarity Chart
Finding out where a diamond ranks on a diamond clarity grading table may give you an idea of how perfect or imperfect it is. A diamond clarity chart is basically a chart that shows how clear your diamond really is.
Diamond’s visual appearance is the most important factor in determining its clarity grade. This implies that it is the sole factor considered when grading a diamond’s clarity.
We’ve included The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) clarity scale below, from highest to lowest quality:
FL (Flawless)
A diamond doesn’t have flaws or impurities visible at 10x magnification.
IF (Internally Flawless)
No flaws may be seen either on the surface or inside the diamond, making diamonds with this clarity grade exceptionally rare.
VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1) and VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2)
Diamond contains inclusions that even a gemologist would have a problem spotting without the use of magnification of 10 times or more. It may take several seconds of careful inspection of a VS1 clarity diamond before the flaw is spotted. With VS2 clarity grade, even though flaws are visible, they’re still hard to notice.
Learn More: VVS Diamonds: What To Look For When Buying VVS Diamonds
VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1)
Inclusions in these gems are so small that they’re hardly visible under a magnification of 10x. When inspecting a VS1 clarity diamond, it might take a few seconds to detect the flaw.
VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2)
At 10x magnification, the imperfections in VS2 clarity diamonds are always visible. Occasionally, the flaw may be concealed in an inconspicuous part of the gem. Anyways, the flaw is very discernible when seen at high magnification.
SI1 (Slightly Included 1)
Any flaws in I1 clarity stone may be seen with only a regular jeweler’s loupe. A diamond with SI1 clarity is so flawless that imperfections are invisible to the human eye.
SI2 (Slightly Included 2)
Magnification of 10x makes impurities of diamonds with SI2 clarity grade clearly visible.
I1, I2, and I3 (Included)
Gems with these clarity grades are highly included; thus, the inclusions are quite noticeable. In most cases, the inclusions will cause flaws that may reduce the stone’s durability.
VS1 Vs. VS2 – Other Aspects That Determine The Clarity Grade
The list that we’ve just provided above reveals that clarity grades VS1 and VS2 are roughly located in the center of the diamond clarity chart.
To the untrained eye, the difference between a VS1 and VS2 stone is sometimes minimal, with the second having a few additional, imperceptible tiny imperfections.
This doesn’t imply that a VS2 gem can’t have fewer inclusions than a VS1 stone if the VS2’s inclusions are somewhat larger or broader.
Experts in the field place too much emphasis on the quantity and size of the inclusions, while consumers also care about some other factors.
So let’s take a glance at those factors:
The Hue of the Inclusions
One medium-brown inclusion, for instance, might significantly lower a diamond’s clarity compared to three or four colorless ones. Despite having higher eye clarity, that type of gem is classified as VS2 rather than VS1 since 3 is more than 1.
The Position of the Inclusions
Inclusions in the bottom pavilion of a diamond are far less obvious than inclusions in the center of the stone’s top part. Nonetheless, each of these imperfections will be assigned the same clarity rating.
Thus, VS2 gems often contain many imperfections towards the pavilion of the diamond and seem nicer than VS1 gems, which do have fewer badly positioned flaws.
On the other hand, a VS2 diamond might appear even worse than a lesser SI1 grading if the inclusions are poorly positioned.
How Simple It Is to Get Around a Diamond’s Flaw
A jeweler’s duties extend beyond the simple act of putting stones in ring mountings and releasing the finished products.
To begin, a competent expert will check for flaws and imperfections in the diamond. And then he’ll work out what kind of diamond setting will best conceal the stone’s flaws, if any.
That being said, a VS2 diamond with a number of obvious imperfections may be easily concealed by a well-designed ring. On the other hand, if a VS1 stone has just a handful of inclusions that can’t be masked by the setting – they are visible to the naked eye.
Learn More: Types Of Diamond Settings: A Guide To Setting Styles
Types Of Inclusions in VS1 And VS2 Diamonds
Crystals, needles, and knots are the most prevalent types of inclusions seen in VS1 clarity gems. In contrast, feather, cloud, feather, and crystal inclusions are the most common in VS2 diamonds.
Let’s get some additional info on these kinds of flaws.
Crystal
A mineral crystal is the most common kind of inclusion found within a diamond. Depending on the kind of minerals they contain, they range in hue from colorless to black, reddish, and beyond.
Cloud
This inclusion alludes to a collection of flaws inside a gem. A diamond’s luster may be diminished by such imperfections. The effect might also make it seem fuzzy. When there are plenty of them, the diamond is called cloudy.
Knot
This inclusion shows up in the shape of the knot on the stone’s surface. It is common practice to downgrade the clarity grade of diamonds that have a knot inclusion. For the most part, though not always, the defect may be seen by the naked eye.
Needle
This is a narrow, long, typically white crystal imperfection. When a crystal is formed under very high pressure, it takes on a needle shape rather than the usual round one. Some of these defects may go undetected by the average person.
Related Read: Can You Remove Inclusions From a Diamond?
Benefits of VS1 and VS2 Diamonds
Among the 4Cs, clarity is the least well-understood. But it’s also the most important since it allows consumers to save costs without compromising quality.
The majority of purchasers put too much stock on grades to find eye-clean gems. And retailers often set pricing based on these categories, which is a major problem.
Wondering what’s an eye-clean diamond?
“Eye-clean” refers to a diamond that appears to be flawless to the bare eye. It’s not considered eye-clean if it has any noticeable imperfections or defects. Unfortunately, diamond grading certificates do not include any information about that.
Thus, this is a situation that has to be looked at on an individual basis.
Diamonds rated VS1 or VS2 are often eye-clean, particularly those rated as brilliant cuts. However, you should remember that not all of them are.
As a result, stones of very high clarity are not something we advise you to pursue. Compared to VVS and Flawless stones, they are less expensive.
Also, VS diamonds will be free of any imperfections that are visible to the naked eye and would be difficult for even a trained gemologist to detect.
However, keep in mind that faults may be more obvious to the human eye in a step-cut gem, such as an Emerald cut or an Asscher cut stone.
VS1 Vs. VS2 – Price Difference
Finding a good deal on a diamond piece can sometimes be a daunting task. It’s easy to get lost in all the details and requirements. Financial limitations should, of course, never be forgotten!
If we had to choose between VS1 and VS2 gems, we’d say they’re equally excellent. Given that you’re looking for a high-quality stone without breaking the bank.
While diamonds rated VS1 and VS2 do often have some slight imperfections, they are still rather affordable. In contrast to diamonds of greater clarity grades, at least.
Diamonds with these clarity grades have very minor imperfections that are not easily seen by the naked eye. In most cases, you wouldn’t be able to discern the difference between a VS-quality stone and a spotless one. This is why stones rated VS are so valuable.
In most cases, the price of a VS1 or VS2 diamond is proportional to its carat weight. The cost per carat might vary from a few cents to as much as 25% more.
There are many factors that go into determining a diamond’s value, but the 4Cs – carat weight, clarity, cut, and color – are crucial.
The rarity of the VS1 diamond makes it a more attractive option at times. Further, VS1 is the superior option provided the cost difference is not too large. This is for the simple reason that you should receive more for your money since the VS1 gem will grow in value with time.
Now you understand why VS1 and VS2 diamonds are so highly recommended by gemologists: they are a great compromise between price and quality.
If you’re looking for high-quality and aesthetically pleasing rocks, you can find both of those things in these options.
VS1 and VS2 stones are excellent choices for any purpose, whether you’re in the market for an engagement ring, a new piece of jewelry, or a simple stone to enjoy every day. They are a great alternative if you want a high-quality diamond without breaking the bank.
So, Which VS-quality Stone Should You Pick?
Whether to buy a VS1 or VS2 diamond, as we said, depends on factors such as size, cut, and price.
A VS1 is the smartest choice if you want to put your money into something reliable. Particularly for step-cut diamonds that are over 1 carat in weight, VS1 clarity will be the best compromise between perfection and value.
However, if you appreciate a fair price at a decent clarity grade, a VS2 stone offers the same brightness as higher-quality gems since its flaws cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Prior to making any investment, please be sure to inspect the diamond personally or consult with a gemologist! The retail summary may not necessarily provide information about the diamond’s inclusions.
Diamonds should only be purchased if they have a grading report from a reputable organization like the GIA or the AGS for natural diamonds or the GIA, IGI, or GCAL for lab-grown precious stones.
Related Read: Diamond Grading Lab: Which Diamond Certification Is Best?
Conclusion
Okay, there you have it. We appreciate your perseverance so far and hope you’ve found the information presented here useful. Our goal was for you to get useful information from this article, thus we worked hard to be detailed.
We began by outlining what diamond clarity is, how it is measured, and the various clarity grades that diamonds can have.
In this post, titled “VS1 Vs. VS2 Price Difference”, we’ve covered topics about diamonds with VS and VS2 clarity grades, whether they are competitive when compared to diamonds of various clarity grades, and how they do against one another.
One thing is for sure – you can’t go wrong with a VS2 stone if you’re looking for the ideal combination of clarity and value. They shine just as brightly as top-tier diamonds since their flaws are invisible to the human eye.