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Is a VS1 or VS2 Better?
If you've been shopping for a diamond, you've probably come across the terms VS1 and VS2. Both sit in the "Very Slightly Included" range on the clarity scale. Both look clean to the naked eye. But they are not the same thing, and for some diamonds, the difference really matters.
Here is a simple way to think about it.
What VS1 and VS2 Actually Mean
Clarity is about inclusions. These are tiny imperfections inside the diamond that form during the growth process. Every diamond has them. The question is just how easy they are to see.
VS1 means the inclusions are very hard to spot, even under 10x magnification. A trained gemologist has to look carefully to find them. VS2 means the inclusions are slightly more noticeable under magnification, but still not visible to the naked eye in most cases.
To the naked eye, a VS1 and a VS2 diamond look identical. That is the key point. And it is also why VS2 is often the smarter buy. You are not giving up beauty. You are just spending less money on a difference you cannot see.
When VS2 is the Right Call
For most diamonds, VS2 is the sweet spot. If you are buying a round brilliant, an oval, a cushion, or a pear shape under two carats, VS2 is almost certainly eye clean. The facets in these cuts scatter light in all directions, which helps mask inclusions naturally. You will not see them. Your partner will not see them. Nobody at the restaurant will see them.
VS2 lets you put more of your budget toward carat size or cut quality, both of which have a bigger impact on how the diamond actually looks than a clarity grade jump that requires a loupe to detect.
When You Need VS1
There are two situations where VS1 is the smarter call, and you should take them seriously.
Step cuts. Emerald cuts and Asscher cuts are different from brilliant cuts. Their large, flat facets act like windows straight into the stone. There is no sparkle to hide behind. What a round diamond would easily conceal, a step cut puts right in the open. If you are buying an emerald cut or Asscher cut, go VS1 as a minimum. Honestly, for these shapes, VVS is worth looking at too, especially if clarity matters to you.
Larger stones. Over two carats, inclusions become easier to spot regardless of shape. The larger the diamond, the more surface area there is, and the more visible any flaw becomes. A VS2 that looks perfectly clean at one carat can start to show at two and a half carats. For anything over two carats, VS1 is the safer choice.
The Price Reality
There is a real price difference between VS1 and VS2. Depending on the stone, VS1 can cost noticeably more. In most cases, that extra money is buying you peace of mind on paper, not a diamond that looks any different in real life.
If you are buying a round brilliant under two carats and working with a budget, use it on carat or cut. VS2 will serve you well.
If you are buying a step cut in any size, or a larger stone in any shape, the upgrade to VS1 is worth it. The facet structure exposes too much for you to take the risk.
The Simple Answer
VS2 is a great choice for most diamonds. You save money and lose nothing visible.
VS1 is worth it for step cuts like emerald and Asscher cuts, and for any diamond over two carats.
That is really all you need to know.
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Thanks for reading, Jared and Brie