Carat, cut, clarity, and color help diamond buyers better understand the quality of the diamond they’re buying and the reason for its costs.
VS1 vs VS2 is one ranking in clarity that tells you about a type of inclusion in a diamond.
Are you considering a diamond purchase in the future? Read on to learn more about the 4 Cs of diamond buying, including the clarity ranking of VS 1 and VS 2.
What Are VS Diamonds?
When you purchase a diamond, there are many things to consider. Most people look to a diamond to sparkle and to be large enough to get noticed.
One classification for diamonds is clarity. A VS diamond is ranked as ‘very slightly included.’ This means the diamond has slight imperfections.
These are so slight they aren’t visible to the naked eye. In fact, imperfections can even be difficult to spot when magnified ten times over.
What Does VS Mean for Diamonds?
As you look at different types of diamonds, shapes, cuts, and sizes, you may hear the term VS. It’s one of the eight diamond clarity rankings. These include:
- Flawless (Fl)
- Internally Flawless (IF)
- Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1)
- Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2)
- Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)
- Very Slightly Included 2 (VS2)
- Slightly Included 1 (SI1)
- Slightly Included 2 (SI2), Included 1 (I1), Included 2 (I2), and Included 3 (I3)
The VS describing a diamond means there are very slight inclusions that are a part of the diamond. Again, it’s worth noting that often an inclusion isn’t visible to the naked eye.
Types of Flaws in VS1 vs VS2
When a diamond gets a grade, like VS 1 or VS 2, there must be a distinction for why it receives one grade over the one above or below.
So, what are the key differences to why a diamond might be graded VS1 over VS 2?
A VS diamond, remember, will have slight inclusions not visible to the naked eye. A VS 1 diamond is likely to have inclusions that might include:
- Crystal
- Needle
- Indented
- Natural
- Knot
A VS 2 diamond will likely have inclusions that include:
- Cloud
- Feather
- Knot
- Indented
- Natural
- Crystal
So, how do each of these descriptions show up in a diamond? How is one different from another? Let’s take a closer look at some of these types of inclusion in VS1 and VS 2 diamonds.
Cloud
Often a diamond with a cloud inclusion will have a group or collection of inclusions. As the name suggests, cloud inclusion can impact how brilliant a diamond will sparkle.
Some cloud inclusions make a diamond appear hazy. A diamond with many of these types of inclusion can be referred to as a cloudy diamond.
Feather
A feather inclusion is one likely in a VS 2-grade diamond. Unlike how it sounds, a feather is actually an internal crack in the diamond. Remember, this isn’t likely visible to the naked eye.
How transparent the feather or crack appears will depend on its position on the diamond.
Crystal
When you understand how diamonds are made naturally, you can see how a crystal inclusion could occur. A crystal inclusion is actually a piece of mineral within the diamond itself.
Some of the crystals will be colorless. Other times the mineral will have a color with it, often black, greenish, or reddish.
It’s worth noting that most crystal inclusions get a VS 1 grade.
Knot
The exception to that crystal grade is for a knot inclusion. A knot is a type of crystal inclusion. Instead of the mineral being inside the diamond, it’s on the surface of the diamond.
For this reason, a knot inclusion (a crystal one because it’s a mineral) gets graded lower as a VS 2.
Sometimes, a knot inclusion can be visible to the naked eye.
Indented Natural
When a diamond is mined, before it becomes a valuable piece of jewelry, it must first be polished.
When a part of the diamond is left unattended during the polishing process, it gets graded typically as a VS 1.
This type of inclusion is usually found at the girdle of the diamond.
Needle
As the name suggests, a needle inclusion is a long and thin type of inclusion. It’s also a crystal inclusion that presents as white or translucent.
Buying a VS Diamond: Is It Worth It?
As you consider buying a diamond, you might wonder whether you should purchase a diamond with a VS ranking.
Are they a good investment? Should you seek a diamond with a higher clarity ranking?
Experts believe that a diamond with a VS rating is a smart investment in many cases. While the diamond may not be flawless, it doesn’t have large inclusions that would be visible to the naked eye.
From an investment perspective, a VS diamond will hold value or appreciate over time.
Differences Between VS1 and VS2
Diamonds with a grade of VS or Very Slightly can either be ranked as VS 1 or VS 2. These inclusions will impact both the quality and costs of the diamonds with this ranking.
Let’s take a closer look.
Quality
When considering quality, there is a difference between a VS 1 and a VS 2.
A VS 1 diamond won’t have inclusions visible to the naked eye or up to ten times magnified.
A VS 2 diamond will only have inclusions visible with the naked eye 5% or less of the time. More inclusions than that would change the grade to a lower ranking.
Cost
Any diamond price has many factors. If you buy a diamond with a VS 1 or VS 2 ranking, you’re getting a lovely stone. The price difference between these rankings will likely be minimal if all other factors are equal.
Choosing VS1 vs VS2: Which Is Right for You?
A diamond with a VS 1 or VS 2 is likely a beautiful diamond worthy of consideration. When you consider VS1 vs VS2, the differences are minimal and often not visible to the naked eye.
If you’re ready to make a big diamond purchase, we can help. Contact us today to set up a Finer Custom jewelry appointment. We can answer all your diamond questions.
