VS2 Clarity Guide: How to Differentiate
Understanding VS2 Clarity
Overall, a diamond’s clarity is in reference to its visual appearance and the ability to notice inclusions and blemishes. VS2 diamonds are often known as stones that are Very Slightly Included. Although detectable to a diamond professional; to the naked eye the average person would not be able to identify a VS2 diamond inclusion.
It is rare to be able to find a diamond without imperfections seeing as though their formation process usually prohibits this. During their formation process, diamonds are exposed to high heat up to 2,200 degrees and are shaped beneath the earth’s mantle which is at least 80 miles deep. The average diamond process can take up to three billion years, so with that being said finding a diamond in pristine condition without inclusions is highly rare. Most consumable diamonds contain internal inclusions.
The Gemological Institute of America grades Clarity of diamonds as such:
| IF | VVS1 | VVS2 | VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | I1 | I2 |
| Internally Flawed | Very Very Small Inclusion 1 | Very Very Small Inclusion 2 | Very Small Inclusions 1 | Very Small Inclusions 2 | Small Inclusions 1 | Small Inclusions 2 | Inclusions 1 | Inclusions 2 |
VS2 inclusions are mostly capable of being seen under a 10x magnification, often used by professional jewelers. Often times the inclusions are in hard to spot locations. Many times the inclusion is large enough to see under magnification, therefore if you have access to visiting a local jeweler to have your diamonds examined; we suggest doing so.
Considering Buying a VS2 Diamond?
Both VS1 and VS2 diamonds offer great value and appearance. When searching for a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry, we suggest looking for VS1 or VS2 diamonds, along with a diamond that appears clean to the naked eye. A common mistake that people make when buying diamonds is purchasing a diamond with a clarity grade that is unnecessarily high. A VS2 diamond that is considered “eye clean” will look highly similar to a IF diamond but will cost you substantially less money.Diamonds of 2.0 Carat Weight or Higher
As the carat weight of a diamond increases, inclusions on the diamond itself can become more noticeable. Some diamonds that are larger in size; even with a high clarity rate such as VS1 or VS2 are considered “eye clean”. Also, with larger carat weights it’s important to broaden your search to include VS1, VS2 and VVS2 diamonds to get the most options before you buy. You will always want to decide on a diamond that is clean to the naked eye no matter the grade.With a diamond that is 1-2 carats, you can rest assured with a VS1 or VS2 grade that you are getting enough bang for your buck. As you increase the carats, however, be sure that the diamond is clean of noticeable imperfections to the naked eye. Without the use of a magnification tool, you should not be able to spot any flaws or inclusions in the diamond you decide on.
Step Cut Diamonds
Examples of diamonds with step cuts include emerald cuts and Asscher cuts. A step cut is defined as a diamond with either square or rectangular cuts. They are seen with many parallel facets making it much easier to spot inclusions. For Asscher, Emerald and Baguette diamonds, it’s important to look at each diamond using high-quality photography to get a clear overall look. Bumping up to a diamond with a VVS2 Clarity grade may be your best bet to get your preferred carat weight and have an “eye clean” step cut.
Examples of Undesirable Diamonds
As you can see above, the chart breaks down the appearance of different diamonds and what each has to offer. An excellent cut is seen as VS1-VS2 quality with a cut that allows for more light to flow through which gives off the shiny appearance of a diamond.
The Differences Between VS1 and VS2 Diamonds
It is very hard to differentiate between a VS1 and VS2 diamond without the proper magnification tools. This often requires a magnification device of at least 10x zoom capabilities, often owned by qualified jeweler professionals.
For a VS1 Clarity rated diamond, inclusions are minor and can go easily undetected unless examined by a trained professional. Without magnification tools, you should not be able to identify any flaws or inclusions of a VS1 diamond. For a VS2 diamond, the inclusions are always noticeable using magnification; and in most cases the inclusion is big enough to seek out quickly under a magnifying lense.
VS2 diamonds are often “eye clean” but some flaws can still exist, especially when you get up to larger sized stones like 3-5 carat diamonds. Because the differences between VS1 and VS2 diamonds are minimal, we emphasize the importance of looking over magnified photographs of the diamonds before confirming your purchase.
Being able to read a lab report can help your decision by understanding the clarity grade of your chosen diamonds. We also recommend looking for a VS2 diamond with a carat weight of 2.01 or less. You will not have to sacrifice any of the visual elements of the diamond but you’ll be able to save on your budget for other factors such as cut quality. However, if you choose to increase the carat weight; you will want to consider a VS1 diamond or even a VVS2 diamond to ensure it is in fact “eye clean”.