VS1 AND VS2
VS1 CLARITY
A VS1 Clarity diamond is a diamond with a clarity grade that stands for "Very Slightly Included 1" This means that the diamond has small inclusions or blemishes that are visible under 10x magnification but are still relatively minor and do not significantly affect the diamond's appearance or brilliance. The inclusions should not be visible to the naked eye.
Inclusions in a VS1 diamond should be small, and they may include tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers amongst other inclusions.
VS1 diamonds are considered to be of high quality and are highly desirable for their rarity and beauty. They offer an excellent balance of quality and value, as they are less expensive than higher clarity grades, such as a VVS or IF clarity diamond, but still offer exceptional clarity and sparkle assuming the diamond is cut to the appropriate proportions.
Example: Bad VS1
Reason: Black in the middle is too harsh
Example: Bad VS1
Reason: Small black reflections are present inside the table, particularly at 6 o'clock
Example: Bad VS1
Reason: The center appears overly crowded and dominated by black elements.
Example: Bad VS1
Reason: There is an overly harsh line on the center-right.
VS2 CLARITY
A VS2 Clarity diamond is a diamond with a clarity grade that stands for "Very Slightly Included 2". The diamond is one clarity grade below that of a vs1 clarity stone. by definition, the diamond has small inclusions or blemishes that are visible under 10x magnification, but they should still be relatively minor and should not significantly affect the diamond's appearance or brilliance...OR DO THEY? Now we start digging a bit deeper here. You can have VS2 diamonds that look worse than SI1. Below is a perfect example of how a grade can not be reflective of the value and beauty of a diamond.
Example: Bad VS2
Reason: Center black imperfections; there are numerous imperfections on the table. At around 6 o'clock, there is a particularly large cluster. Overall, the stone appears to be too busy.
Example: Bad VS2
Reason: There is an excessive scattering of black in the top right and harsh black near the bottom.
Example: Bad VS2
Reason: There is an overwhelming amount of activity or elements present.
Example: Bad VS2
Reason: The white near the center-left of the table appears too intense or harsh.
Example: Bad VS2
Reason: The two imperfections at the center are the primary concern.
If you look at this diamond from Blue Nile, you will see a very well-cut diamond with a beautiful imperfection as opposed to the diamond in the picture above with the hard black imperfection.
We would rather buy this beautiful SI1, instead of a VS2 that has a dead center black imperfection.
Should I Buy A VS1 or VS2 ?
When considering a diamond purchase, opting for a VS1 or VS2 clarity diamond is a wise choice due to the excellent balance of quality and value these grades offer. Diamonds in these clarity ranges have very slight inclusions, often only visible under 10x magnification, and typically feature soft white imperfections that are not discernible to the naked eye, ensuring the diamond appears flawless to the observer.
This makes VS1 and VS2 diamonds an excellent investment, as they are more affordable than higher clarity grades like VVS1 or IF but still exhibit exceptional beauty. However, it's essential to avoid diamonds with harsher black inclusions, even within the VS clarity range, as they can be more noticeable and detract from the diamond's overall appearance. By choosing a VS1 or VS2 diamond, you can enjoy a stunning, high-quality gemstone that maximizes brilliance and sparkle while providing significant value for your investment.
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