Choosing A VS2 Diamond: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• A VS2 diamond is one of the more affordable options, and a great grade to focus on if you want to find plenty of options for affordable, eye clean diamonds.
• While it’s far from ‘perfect’, an important thing to be aware of is that a VS2 diamond does not mean you are investing in a dip in quality. Any inclusions are unlikely to be viewed with the naked eye.
• Aiming for perfection is not always the right thing to do when looking for your engagement ring.
• Trust your own judgement on the inclusions of the diamond, remember the Four Cs, and then go from there.

Face it: there’s no getting around the fact that, for most people, it takes time to really get a grip on the clarity grades. Memorizing their order is one thing but, for many of us, the phrases ‘very very slightly’ or ‘very slightly’ included seem more than a little vague.

Even so, these grades are incredibly useful – not just because they offer a way of sorting through the vast and varied world of diamonds, but also because they leave a certain amount open to interpretation. No two VS2 diamonds are the same, and those inclusions can occur within the diamond in any manner of ways – leading to any number of results.

This is often what we mean when we say that each diamond has its own unique character, and that, while the GIA’s scales are incredibly valuable to anyone looking to purchase a diamond, nothing can replace your own unique appraisal of the diamond as it appears in person.

A VS2 diamond is one of the most affordable options for those shopping for beautiful diamonds on the market today, and it represents an ideal starting point as you work to understand how far your budget can take you, and how you can make the very most out of it by getting a beautiful, eye clean and eye-capturing diamond for your bride to be.

• First off, What is a VS2 Diamond?
• Diamond Clarity: The Basics
  • Clarifying the Grades
  • What is VS2 Clarity?
  • Can You See Flaws in a VS2?
  • Do VS2 Diamonds Sparkle?
  • Are VS2 Diamonds Eye Clean?
  • Is a G-VS2 Diamond Good?
• VS2 Diamond Price
  • How Much is a VS2 Diamond Worth?
  • Which is More Expensive VS1 or VS2?
• VS2 vs VS1 Diamonds
  • Is a VS1 Diamond Better than VS2?
• VS2 vs SI1 Diamonds
  • Is VS2 Better than SI1?
• Our Summary

First off, What is a VS2 Diamond?

A VS2 diamond is one that has been officially graded by an expert gemologist according to the GIA’s Clarity Scale, and that, more specifically…

• The diamond will have been given a clarity grading of Very Small Inclusions 2on the GIA scale, and this will be recorded in an official GIA Diamond Report.
• The diamond’s inclusions are unlikely to be visible to the naked eye – or, in other words, the diamond is pretty likely to be considered eye clean
• The diamond will cost less than a VS1 diamond, unless it is a significantly different quality (in terms of color or cut) or carat weight
• The diamond will sit in the ‘sweet spot’ where you can find the most affordable diamonds without sacrificing beauty, or investing in visible flaws.

You can browse all VS2 diamonds here, or keep reading to get your head around just why the VS2 diamond grade represents a great place for you to focus your search.

Diamond Clarity: The Basics

To understand what a VS2 diamond grading is, it’s important that you first understand the most reputable scale used for evaluating a diamond’s clarity – the GIA grading scale. Sure, you could read ‘VS2 is a good choice for you’ and run with it but, while the GIA’s scales are there to offer an objective overview on every diamond a shopper will encounter, you still need to be able to make your own judgement – and for that, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of the basics.

Clarifying the Grades

The diamond clarity scale for GIA contains the following grades, with VS2 located between VS1 and SI1 – exactly halfway down the scale.

Internally Flawless (abbreviated as IF), Very Very Small Inclusions 1 (VVS1), Very Very Small Inclusions 2 (VVS2), Very Small Inclusions 1 (VS1), Very Small Inclusions 2 (VS2), Small Inclusions 1 (SI1), Small Inclusions 2 (SI2), Inclusions 1 (I1), Inclusions 2 (I2).

VS2 is a clarity grade that refers to the presence of ‘very slight’ inclusions within a diamond. On the GIA Clarity Scale, it sits between VS1 and SI1, and indicates that inclusions within the diamond are relatively easy to detect under 10x magnification.

VS2 diamonds are still pretty rare, but they are much more common than some of the more technically perfect diamonds out there. As a result, they remain a firm choice among shoppers looking to invest in a quality diamond for their engagement ring – particularly because they are significantly less expensive than VVS diamonds.

Can You See Flaws in a VS2?

In general, no. The flaws are so small that, in most diamonds, they will require magnification to be seen.

When a gemologist sets about grading the quality of any given diamond, they do so under very specific conditions for light, and with the right equipment to actively seek out those tiny, near-insignificant flaws that all diamonds have.

True, some diamonds are so close to perfect that even the usual magnification tools can’t find them, but neither you, nor your bride-to-be – or even her friend’s, family, or coworkers – will ever scrutinize your diamond under these conditions. Or, at least, we hope…

Do VS2 Diamonds Sparkle?

Yes, VS2 diamonds are able to create a stunning performance of brilliance and fire. Like any diamond, a good cut is the secret to ensuring maximum sparkle.

Some round and fancy cuts, such as the Oval and Pear, are much better at hiding inclusions than others. The long, polished facets of the Emerald cut, for instance, are not so effective at obscuring any small flaws that exist within the diamond’s internal structure.

These cuts are also known to be much more sparkly. The complexly arranged facets of the round cut, for instance, create many more opportunities for light performance than the elongated and horizontal facets of the step cuts.

Even still, VS2 Emerald Diamonds will still generally appear eye clean, and, like the VS1 or VVS diamonds, sparkle to their fullest potential on the finger. Inclusions have to be far more significant to mess with the diamond’s light performance.

Are VS2 Diamonds Eye Clean?

In many instances, yes, VS2 diamonds appear eye clean – meaning that they offer a very good option to those looking to pick a beautiful diamond without going beyond their means.

However, the inclusions in a VS2 diamonds may be slightly visible if the diamond is more than 2.0 carats – and, like we mentioned above, if the diamond features a cut that offers less in the way of camouflage for any inclusions.

Even so, VS2 is a great indicator of eye cleanliness, and a good place to start if you’re looking for an affordable diamond without any visible inclusions. Its slightly more reliable than SI1, which sits just below VS2 on the clarity grading scale, but, even then, you could find an eye clean stone.

Is a G-VS2 Diamond Good?

Yes, a VS2 diamond with a color grade of G will likely appear pretty much perfect, as any discoloration, inclusions or blemishes will be too minor for the naked eye to detect.

These two grades both sit in a good position on their respective scales, as they are far enough from ‘perfection’ that you do not have to pay potentially thousands of dollars more for the prestige, but they remain close enough that any imperfections will still be incredibly difficult – if not impossible – to spot. G Color diamonds will appear clear of any yellow tint under most lighting conditions and, as we’ve mentioned, VS2 diamonds will generally be eye clean.

For instance, we’re pretty sure you won’t find much to turn your nose up at in this 2.01 Carat G-VS2 Round Diamond – despite the fact that, as far as the GIA report is concerned, it’s a pretty long way from total perfection.

VS2 Diamond Price

Chances are, you’re interested in learning more about VS2 diamonds out of a desire to maximize your budget, and find the best possible diamond for the best possible price. So, with that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about the value of a VS2 graded diamond.

How Much is a VS2 Diamond Worth?

An all-round good quality VS2 diamond could be priced anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, although certain cuts (such as the round cuts) and color grades will raise that minimum price higher.

VS2 diamonds are considered to be far better investments than VVS diamonds – a fact which means that, while they’re much, much more affordable, they still come with a premium price. Only by purchasing a diamond with visible inclusions that interfere quite significantly with the diamond’s appearance can you hope to find a ‘cheap’ diamond – but remember that ‘cheap’ does not mean ‘good investment’.

Which is More Expensive VS1 or VS2?

A VS1 diamond will be a little more expensive than a VS2 diamond,

Although there’s only 1 grade separating one from the other, the price difference can get as high as $1,000. It’s understandable why newcomers are willing to pay that price, but it is also totally unnecessary, and could prevent those buyers from getting a diamond that is as big or as colorless as they would like.

Buying a VS1 diamond online is slightly less of a gamble, but not enough to replace the value of going into a reputable jewelry store and seeing the diamond in-person first. The most important feature to look for in a VS2 diamond, concerning price, is one that is eye-clean. 

VS2 is the clarity grade where you can find the most affordable diamonds without sacrificing beauty, but that’s not to say that every VS2 diamond will look flawless.

VS2 vs VS1 Diamonds

While the clarity grades offer an indispensable tool for working out whether a diamond is up your alley, or too wide of the mark to bother, it can be tricky to work out exactly what separates a VVS1 diamond from a VVS2 diamond, or, in this instance, a VS1 diamond from a VS2 diamond.

Is a VS1 Diamond Better than VS2?

Objectively yes, but the superiority of a VS1 diamond may be so slight that the price hike from VS2 to VS1 isn’t worth it for you.

It’s tough to distinguish the difference between a VS2 and a VS1 diamond. To visually spot the difference, you’d need a magnification of 10x and even sometimes 20x. A diamond with a VS1 clarity grade has inclusions that are sometimes visible under magnification, whereas a diamond with a VS2 clarity grade has inclusions that are almost always visible under magnification. Both diamonds are usually eye-clean. 

So, is VS1 really better than VS2? That depends on the diamond – and gives you a perfect example of why you should be checking out these diamonds in person before you buy them, rather than leaving it up to a couple images on the internet.

VS2 vs SI1 Diamonds

So, if the difference between one clarity grade and another is only marginal, and not generally worth the three or four figure difference in value between two visually similar diamonds, how far down the scale can you go before that logic is no longer useful? Can you dip down into the next category, and opt instead for a Slightly Included diamond?

Is VS2 Better than SI1?

Again, yes, if you’re only going by the GIA’s Clarity Scale. SI2 means that the diamond features Slight Inclusions, which will mean that inclusions are easily noticeable under 10x magnification.

For that reason, it is still possible to find an eye clean SI1 diamond – though, again, size does matter, and a particularly large SI1 diamond may not look quite as impressive and flawless as a smaller SI1 diamond.

Still, the question over VS2 vs SI1 is definitely worth considering in much more detail, as opting for this slightly lower grade can pay off in some instances – but not in others.

Our Summary: Are VS2 Diamonds Worth it?

Yes! VS2 diamonds are, in all likelihood, going to appear to your eye as identical to VVS diamonds, which could cost thousands of dollars more despite the fact that the VS2 diamond’s flaws are too small to impact its appearance.

For anyone new to the world of diamonds, it can take time for them to get their head around the idea that they shouldn’t be aiming for perfection. Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are a truly special occurrence, but their appeal lies with avid collectors rather than those who are planning on wearing these gemstones day-in, day-out, for the rest of their lives.

By that logic, even VVS diamonds are a little excessive for the average buyer – and definitely mean that you’re wasting a significant chunk of your budget on features that are only visible under extreme magnification.

Nevertheless, you should never jump into buying a VS2 diamond without first seeing it in person. You can use our diamond lookup to browse diamonds in this highly popular category, and then let us connect you with a local jeweler who has those diamonds available for you to view during a consultation.

Remember that you need to be investing in the visual qualities of the diamond, rather than simply investing into what’s printed in its diamond report. The appearance of flawlessness is as valuable to you as true flawlessness, just as the appearance of colorlessness is just as valuable to you as a color grade of D – although it will worth out thousands of dollars cheaper.

So, yes, an eye clean VS2 diamond is worth its weight in gold, although it won’t break the bank. Just don’t underestimate the importance of your own appraisal of the diamond – for, even though you won’t see what the gemologist or jeweler sees, your own opinion counts for a great deal when it comes to eye cleanliness.