VS1 and VS2 Clarity: What are they, and why
should you buy them?

If Cut is the most important of the 4Cs (cut, clarity,
color, carat), then Clarity is the most technical and often misunderstood C.
Most buyers do not understand acronyms related to diamonds, including the VS
clarity grades.

Diamonds have inclusions in many forms, including solid,
liquid, or gas clouds. Inclusions are other substances trapped inside a diamond,
a pure carbon, as it was forming billions of years ago beneath the earth’s
surface due to high pressure.

The color, number, and location of inclusions can negatively
affect the visual appearance of a diamond.

VS stands for Very Slight, implying that minimal inclusions and
blemishes are generally undetectable by the naked eye in a diamond with a VS
clarity grade.

VS clarity grades include VS1 and VS2.

Because the clarity grade is a significant factor in determining
the overall quality of a diamond, understanding this C thoroughly is vital.

Understanding the Difference between VS1 and VS2

VS clarity diamonds differ from Slightly Included (SI) and
Included (I). The inclusions in the former are more difficult to spot, small,
and less detectable even when examined by a professional jeweler.

The type and size of inclusions determines the difference
between VS1 and VS2. 

Inclusions are smaller and less noticeable in
VS1 than in VS2 clarity diamonds. Under VS2, inclusions will be more prominent and visible. 

For example, inclusions close to an edge
or cavity may be classified as VS1. However, others may be classified as VS2 if
they are located near the table, which makes them more noticeable.

If you watch diamonds in James Allen’s 40X magnified HD
videos, you will see the difference between VS1 and VS2 diamonds.

The clarity grades for diamonds are as follows:

Flawless(F): No blemishes or
inclusions detectable under 10x magnification.

Internally flawless (IF): Same
as Flawless but with detectable blemishes on the surface.

Very Very Slightly (VVS) Included: Has inclusions,
but a professional grader will find them hard to spot under 10x magnification.
It also includes VVS1 and VVS2, with the former having fewer inclusions.

Very Slightly (VS) Included: This
diamond grade contains minor inclusions ranging from somewhat challenging to
easy to see with a jeweler’s loupe. VS1 and VS2 come under this classification.

Slightly (S) Included: These
diamonds have imperfections that may sometimes be visible to the naked eye.
Under 10x magnification, the flaws can be described as easy or very easy to
see.

Included(I): This grade comes
with inclusions visible to a grader under 10x magnification. The inclusions
will almost always be visible to the naked eye and create imperfections that
may impact the longevity of the stone.

Advantages of VS1 and VS2

Given that clarity is the least understood of the 4Cs, it is
the factor that can help buyers save money without sacrificing quality.

Most buyers rely too heavily on classifications to get
eye-clean diamonds. Unfortunately, it also happens that many retailers base
their prices on these classifications. The advantage of VS1 and VS2 stones is
that the naked eye cannot see the inclusions. After all, they are barely even
detectable under 10x magnification.

Therefore, we recommend going for a reasonable amount of
clarity stones if you have a limited budget, especially in diamonds under 1.5 carats
in weight. These stones are more affordable than the VVS or Flawless grade. However,
VS diamonds will not have any inclusions that the average person can see; even
a professional grader will have difficulty spotting them.

Indeed, visible inclusions will affect the appearance of
your diamond. They may also cause the stone to appear cloudy if they are of
considerable size. It is best to avoid chips and
fractures, which could make a diamond sparkle less.

However, most people
would generally need help distinguishing between an expertly cut VS2 and diamonds of higher clarity grades.

Final Thoughts

While evaluating the clarity grade of a diamond, establish how its inclusions might affect its brilliance.

Here are some basic rules follow:

Large Diamonds

Imperfections on bigger diamonds are more noticeable than on
smaller ones. They allow more light and have bigger spaces for noticeable
inclusions to form. The ideal choice for stones larger than 2 carats would be a
high grade, such as VS1 or higher.

Shape 

More spherical stones tend to shine brighter and thus hide
imperfections much better than other cut types. Round stones are also
considered safer and are less susceptible to damage due to their spherical
shape. Also, avoiding Asscher, Emerald, and Marquise cuts are best when going
for clarity.

Cut 

The cut of the diamond is also an essential factor that
you must pay attention to since it determines the amount of light a stone can
disperse. A high-quality cut is brighter and can hide inclusions better.

Type of Inclusion

You can find various inclusions, such as solids, clouds of
gasses, or liquids. They may also vary in appearance. Regardless of this fact,
the clarity grade is determined by the size of the imperfections. Location,
color, and type should not be ignored, as stones of the same grade may have
very different inclusions. For example, a white cloud in a stone may be more
noticeable than a dark blemish close to the edges.

Avoid Included

Included diamonds have noticeable imperfections that affect
the quality of the brilliance produced by the stone. Additionally, inclusions
in a diamond will affect its durability and leave it susceptible to damage.
Included diamonds are, therefore, low in brilliance and have the lowest
durability.

If clarity and price are your primary considerations, VS2
grade stones are the best option. The naked eye cannot detect their inclusions,
making them as brilliant as higher-grade diamonds. Moreover, they are
considerably more affordable. You may, however, need VS1 grade diamonds or
higher if you want a bigger stone.

Before making any purchase, it is vital to examine the diamond
because inclusions are only sometimes as described by retailers. Furthermore,
the grading system does not factor in certain aspects of inclusion, such as
color and location. Even a Slightly Included stone could have the brilliance
and quality you want.

Finally, follow our diamond clarity guide for in-depth details and
guidelines. Also, check lab-grown diamonds as an additional choice.