Some people look at it as the sweet spot and others call it the bull’s-eye. It’s undeniable that VS2 is the grade of clarity that many of the most gorgeous diamonds are discovered at affordable prices. This grade is like finding beautiful precious gemstones on sale. You can use it as a cheat sheet because you’ve done your homework and studied the diamond market and you know this is where the best stones are found.
Are you new to the diamond buying game? More than likely, you figured choosing a diamond from the highest grade is the smartest move. Or at least you felt that way until now. But you found your way here to learn more about the ABCs of the diamond trade and you definitely just discovered a huge secret.
In this post I’d like to tell you about using your budget to its biggest advantage. If you’re a purist, a collector, or an investor, you may prefer IF created diamonds as a better choice.
But I’m operating on the assumption that you’re looking to save money, which means VS2 grade diamonds are the perfect combination of beauty and value to meet your specific needs. And if you use the guidelines that I’m about to share, it won’t take long to discover a beautiful gemstone to call your own.
A Definition of VS2 Diamond Grade
When you look at a VS2 diamond under a 10 X magnification, this very slightly included diamond will show these inclusions and they’ll be very noticeable to diamond professionals. But you wouldn’t notice these flaws unless you’re looking at the diamond under magnification, which means the inclusions aren’t noticeable by the naked eye.
This diamond grade acts as a safety filter. You can trust that VS2 diamonds are eye clean every time, unlike SI1 and SI2 diamonds that need to be sorted through to find the best ones. And if your VS2 diamond was graded by AGS or GIA, you know that the grade is totally trustworthy.
The demand for this clarity grade is high for two reasons:
- The inclusions are invisible to the naked eye
- The diamonds in this grade are priced reasonably
VS1 Diamonds vs VS2 Diamonds
The major thing that separates these diamond grades is how much you can see the flaws within the diamonds. This label will change from VS1 to VS2 depending on the location, number, and size of the inclusions. For the most part, a VS2 diamond will have more and bigger flaws than its VS1 counterparts.
Even more telling is the evidence of the inclusions based on their location. Think about a feather inclusion located at the heart of the diamond versus a periphery inclusion located deep within the diamond’s pavilion. The obviously noticeable inclusion is labeled with the VS2 grade.
That’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s easier to spot VS2 flaws when compared to VS1 diamonds under 10 X magnification.
Comparing Prices of VS1 vs VS2 Diamonds
Although these two categories are only one grade apart, the difference in price is astronomical. Two similar diamonds in both of these grades offered by James Allen are very different in price. In fact, the VS2 diamond costs a thousand dollars less than the VS1 offering.
What to Look for When Shopping for a VS2 Diamond
If you plan to buy your diamond ring or diamond in a typical brick-and-mortar location, you’ll have a salesperson breathing down your neck the entire time trying to influence and manipulate you throughout the entirety of the buying process and it can get very frustrating to say the least. Instead of allowing a slick salesperson attempting to talk you into buying an overly expensive gemstone, you should ask them if you can look at the diamond underneath a loupe.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to purchase the diamond online, make sure you’re on a site that provides real photos of the diamonds in question. The photos should consist of 20 X and 40 X magnifications to make sure you can see each and every one of the inclusions and blemishes within the diamond.
You’ll never find any visible flaws on a VS2 diamond and you can take that to the bank. But there are occurrences where it’s possible you’ll be able to see visible inclusions ever so slightly with the naked eye. That’s why you really need to buy diamonds online that provide fully focused and high quality pictures of the gemstone from numerous angles.
In this regard, your online shopping will benefit tremendously if you shop on James Allen’s website. They use super zoom to provide a 360° view of the diamond from every angle. In fact, if you look at other articles like this on the Internet you’ll see that many of the photos shared are images from James Allen.
Other Important Factors to Consider with a VS2 Diamond Include:
- Diamond cut – it’s important to know that the cut of a diamond isn’t a secondary thing to consider since it’s definitely one of the 4Cs and a main factor. It’s actually the biggest reason why most people choose a VS2 over a higher grade. They want the best cut that they can afford and this helps them accomplish it. You’ll get optimal fire from a perfectly cut gem along with optimal scintillation and brilliance. Plus, this massive light will hide flaws, so excellent/ideal cuts are the way to go.
- Diamond shape – always consider the shape of your diamond. To hide inclusions, choose an excellent cut diamond with a round cut and add even further vigilance with step cuts. Since they have fewer facets and do not achieve the same level of brilliance as rounds, more flaws could eventually end up highlighted. The HD pictures are necessary to look at to make sure you’re getting the highest quality.
- Diamond carat weight – a diamond graded VS2 is an excellent fit for diamonds less than 2 carats. You’ll want a VS1for anything bigger. Why? Larger diamonds make it easier to visibly see imperfections easier because the facets are larger. That’s why it’s best to always avoid I1 to I3 grades since they chip easily and have large inclusions.
- Diamond certificate – some but not all gemological labs have a rating system. And some of these systems have greater leniency than the 4Cs which will mean the gem is less valuable. We recommend AGS and GIA as the gemological labs that you can trust in the United States. When you purchase a diamond graded by these companies you know the gem is superb.
Bottom Line
Based on the tips shared today, you know that a clarity grade of VS2 is the right way to go. Make sure you pick an eye clean diamond and bargain for the best cut, a bigger carat, and a brighter color.
Are you having trouble finding the best VS2 diamond? Leave a comment and let us know if we can help.
About Clark Walker
Clark Walker has been a diamond and rare jewelry savant for as long as he can remember. When retirement commenced and world travel became his new passion, he quickly realized that he needed a stimulating side hobby. Through this website he continues this passion for education, guidance, and keeping tabs on the industry.
