VS Clarity Diamonds: (VS1 & VS2 Clarity)
Inspecting and grading diamonds is a critical part of the evaluation and pricing process. Gemologists will thoroughly examine a diamond's cut, color, carat and clarity, which is known as the 4 C's of diamonds. Cut is the way light hits and reflects from the diamond to create sparkle. Color is the yellowish tint naturally occurring in the diamond that distracts sparkle. Carat is the weight, not size, of the diamond. Finally, Clarity is the face up view of imperfections and their visibility that occur naturally during the diamond's growth.
The clarity scale ranges widely from obvious and noticeable imperfections or inclusions to no inclusions present, even under 10x magnification. VS diamonds, or very slightly included diamonds, have small imperfects only visible with magnification and not to the naked eye. VS is one of the most popular ranges for eye clean diamond purchases. VS2 and SI1 are the most popular two grades of diamonds, representing over 40% of all diamond purchases.
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What is a VS Diamond
VS means the diamond has small inclusions that are difficult to identify with 10x magnification and almost impossible to see without any magnification, such as a loupe or a microscope. VS has a range that consists of VS1 and VS2 (very slightly included 1 and very slightly included 2).
VS1 Clarity vs VS2 Clarity: Inclusions & Price
VS1 means smaller inclusions in number, size and location than VS2. The size of the inclusions tends to be small in nature, the location can be anywhere, center under the table or on the sides near the diamond girdle. The number of VS2 and VS1 inclusions can vary. It can be a single inclusion or several at a time. Typically, you can expect that there will be 1 grade setting inclusion rather than many smaller ones.
The most common VS1 inclusions are crystal (white or black), feather, indented natural, knot, needle. Common VS2 inclusions are crystal (white or black), feather, indented natural, knot, needle and cloud. Because VS diamonds are only below VVS2 (Very, very slightly included2), they have a premium but are also a good value for the budget conscious buyer. Less than 20% of all of the world's gem quality diamonds are in this range. VS diamonds can be 10% - 20% less expensive than a VVS diamond. This makes them desirable and very much in demand. See the clarity scale below for real 10x zoomed diamond clarity examples.
Buying VS Diamonds
VS diamonds are very popular because no eye visible clarity characteristics are generally present, except in rare occasions. To the naked eye, diamond sparkle is not impeded and light performance is high. This means the diamond will sparkle unimpeded by large inclusions that distract the eye. Moreover, there are no structural problems that would cause chips or cracks in the diamond when set in jewelry, even if the inclusions are closer to the girdle.
The pricing is well below VVS diamonds as well, offering a great value. While it's not perfect, it's certainly very respectable and valuable to have a VS clarity diamond. The value of VS diamonds appreciates over time. This is mainly due to their rarity and increase in diamond demand. Preference has generally shifted to quality over time, meaning consumers prefer quality over plain carat weight. If you're having trouble budgeting the 4 C's, consider dropping clarity comfortably into the VS2 or VS1 range.
Clarity is one of the major 4 C's of diamond buying, in addition, to cut, color, and carat.
Watch our company founder help you assess which VS diamond cut grade will be the best diamond for your budget and preferences.
You can purchase VS diamonds from online and offline jewelers; however, the types of VS diamonds may differ for each jeweler. With With Clarity's diamond search, you'll find the largest inventory for diamonds with VS1 and VS2 clarity at the right price. It's important to purchase GIA or IGI certified VS diamonds to ensure the clarity is in line with your expectations, and at high quality. You can identify the grade on the diamond grading report.
Clarity grading is subjective so you can never be too sure. If the diamond weighs above 1.00 carat, you'll also find the grading plot that maps the location, size and type of imperfection. Start by viewing With Clarity's diamond search and pair the clarity with the other diamond 4 C's to identify if VS is the right clarity range for you given your price range and budget. Like everything else, clarity is something you should balance and determine how important it is for you.
The next range below VS is SI or slightly included, meaning the diamond may have noticeable inclusions. These diamonds tend to have imperfections that are visible under 10x magnification, and often are visible to the naked eye.
FAQs
Is VS clarity diamond good?
Yes, VS (very slightly included) diamonds are good and one of the most frequently chosen clarity grades. Diamonds belonging to this category have small imperfections only visible with magnification and not to the naked eye.
What does VS clarity mean?
VS clarity means the diamond has small inclusions that can be viewed only with 10x magnification, such as a loupe or a microscope. VS clarity grade has two sub-categories VS1 (very slightly included 1) and VS2 (very slightly included 2). Do note that VS1 diamonds have fewer and smaller inclusions than VS2 diamonds.
What are the common VS1 inclusions?
The most common VS1 inclusions are crystals (white or black), feathers, knots, and needles.
Is VS1 diamond better than VS2?
Yes, a VS1 diamond is slightly better than a VS2 as VS1 diamonds have smaller inclusions in number, size, and location in comparison to VS2 diamonds.
Where can I buy VS diamonds?
You can purchase VS diamonds from online and offline jewelers; however, the types of VS diamonds may differ for each jeweler. Always ensure to purchase only GIA or IGI certified VS diamonds to ensure that the clarity is in line with your expectations.
