VS1 vs VS2 Diamond Clarity: Because True Clarity Goes Beyond the Eye

True luxury lies in the details, and for diamonds, clarity defines the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary. In a world where brilliance is everywhere, it’s the unseen that often matters most. 

The distinction between a VS1 vs VS2 diamond may appear subtle to the naked eye, yet those minor inclusions, visible only under magnification, carry real implications for both value and visual purity. Understanding the nuances between a VS1 vs VS2 diamond can shape how you perceive quality, prioritise beauty, and ultimately connect with the piece you choose.

If you’ve ever asked, “Is VS1 or VS2 better?”, the answer lies in understanding what clarity represents, not just to gemologists, but to you. Because, at ViXii, we believe in making informed choices feel effortless. 

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Clarity is where a diamond’s story becomes intimate. It’s not about surface-level sparkle. It’s about what lies within, the tiny traces left behind as your diamond formed under pressure, either within the Earth or crafted in a lab. These inner characteristics, called inclusions and blemishes, make up what we call diamond clarity.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) defines clarity as the measure of a diamond’s internal and external purity. It’s one of the celebrated 4Cs, alongside cut, colour, and carat, but it carries a weight all its own. Clarity doesn’t just affect how a diamond looks; it influences how it feels and catches light. 

But here’s the nuance: clarity doesn’t always mean perfection. In fact, many inclusions are so subtle, they’re invisible to the naked eye, especially in the VS1 and VS2 clarity range.

So when you’re choosing between a VS1 vs VS2 diamond, you’re not just selecting based on microscopic detail; you’re also choosing a clarity that aligns with your own.

What Does ‘VS’ Stand For in Diamond Clarity?

In diamond grading, every letter holds weight. ‘VS’ stands for Very Slightly Included, a clarity grade that lives in the sweet spot between visual purity and practical value. It means the diamond contains minuscule internal features (called inclusions) that are so small, they’re barely visible even under 10x magnification.

The GIA clarity scale is structured to help buyers understand the number and visibility of inclusions in a diamond. VS diamonds come in two subgrades: VS1 and VS2. Both fall into a range where inclusions are present but so minimal that the diamond is usually eye-clean, meaning it appears flawless to the naked eye.

These inclusions might be faint crystals, feathers, clouds, or pinpoints, natural traces of the diamond’s formation journey (or controlled artefacts from lab-grown conditions). In VS-grade stones, these inclusions are minor, often located on the outer edges, and have no impact on the diamond’s brilliance or structural integrity.

Now that you understand what VS means, let’s zoom out for a moment and place these two clarity grades in context.

Understanding the Full Diamond Clarity Scale

To appreciate the difference between VS1 and VS2, it helps to see the full picture. The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3), with VS1 and VS2 falling neatly in the middle of high-quality, eye-clean territory.

Here’s a breakdown of the full clarity spectrum:

GIA Diamond Clarity Grades at a Glance

Clarity Grade	Meaning	Visibility of Inclusions	Relative Price	Rarity
FL (Flawless)	No inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification	None	$$$$$	Extremely rare
IF (Internally Flawless)	No internal inclusions, only minor surface blemishes	None	$$$$	Very rare
VVS1 / VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included)	Inclusions so minute they’re difficult to see even under 10x	Virtually invisible	$$$	Rare
VS1 / VS2 (Very Slightly Included)	Small inclusions seen with effort under 10x; eye-clean	Invisible to the naked eye	$$	Common in premium diamonds
SI1 / SI2 (Slightly Included)	Noticeable inclusions under 10x may be visible to the naked eye	Sometimes visible	$	More available
I1 / I2 / I3 (Included)	Obvious inclusions are visible without magnification	Visible	$	Most common

In the context of this scale, VS1 and VS2 diamonds strike a harmonious balance, being clean, radiant, and beautifully priced compared to higher clarity grades.

VS1 vs VS2 Diamond: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, VS1 and VS2 diamonds might seem almost identical, and in many ways, they are. Both clarity grades fall under the Very Slightly Included category, meaning their inclusions are minimal and invisible to the naked eye. However, subtle differences exist that can influence your choice.

Inclusions: Visibility and Location

• VS1 Diamonds: 

Inclusions in VS1 stones are extremely faint and minuscule. They are typically located in less noticeable areas of the diamond, often towards the edges or hidden within facets. Under 10x magnification, these inclusions are challenging for even expert gemologists to detect.

• VS2 Diamonds:

Inclusions in VS2 stones are slightly more visible under magnification but remain difficult to spot without professional tools. They might be slightly larger or closer to the diamond’s centre, but they still don’t affect the stone’s overall brilliance or sparkle.

Impact on Appearance

For everyday wear and most lighting conditions, both VS1 and VS2 diamonds appear flawless to the naked eye. Unless you’re examining the stone under a jeweller’s loupe or microscope, these tiny imperfections won’t detract from the diamond’s fire or scintillation.

Price and Value Considerations

Because VS1 diamonds have fewer and less visible inclusions, they generally command a higher price range compared to VS2 stones of the same cut, colour, and carat weight. However, VS2 diamonds offer excellent value, delivering near-identical eye-clean beauty at a more accessible price.

Which One to Choose?

If you seek the ultimate in internal purity and are willing to invest more, VS1 diamonds provide that notion of perfection. But if you want a brilliant, eye-clean diamond with slightly greater value, VS2 diamonds are a smart and sophisticated choice.

At ViXii, we recommend viewing both grades under magnification and natural light to appreciate their subtle nuances. Because beyond the clarity grade, it’s the whole diamond’s harmony, the cut, colour, carat, and of course, the emotional resonance, that creates true brilliance.

Expert Tips on Evaluating VS1 and VS2 Diamonds

Choosing between VS1 and VS2 diamond clarity can feel like deciphering a secret language. To guide you, here are some expert tips to evaluate these stones with confidence and clarity, both literally and emotionally.

1. Always Look at a Certified Diamond Report

The GIA certificate or equivalent grading report is your diamond’s authenticity passport. It details the clarity grade, identifies the type and location of inclusions, and confirms other crucial qualities like cut, colour, and carat.

At ViXii, every lab-grown diamond comes with transparent certification, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

2. Examine the Inclusions Under Magnification

If possible, inspect your diamond through a jeweller’s loupe (10x magnification) or ask to see high-resolution images or videos. This lets you see:

• The size of the inclusions
• Their number
• Their location within the diamond

Inclusions near the edge or pavilion often have less impact on sparkle than those near the centre or table.

3. Trust the Naked Eye Test

For most buyers, what truly matters is how the diamond looks without magnification. Both VS1 and VS2 diamonds are usually eye-clean, but lighting, size, and setting can influence perception. Always view the diamond in different lights, including natural daylight, indoor lighting, and spotlights.

4. Consider the Setting

Certain settings can mask inclusions better than others. For example, prong or bezel settings can conceal edge inclusions. Also, intricate designs and pavé can help minimise visible flaws.

5. Balance Clarity with Other 4Cs

A diamond’s allure is a symphony of the 4Cs. Sometimes, a slightly lower clarity grade paired with an exceptional cut or richer colour produces a more stunning stone than a higher clarity diamond with average cut.

VS1 vs VS2 for Lab-Grown Diamonds—A ViXii Perspective

At ViXii, we believe that the story behind a diamond is just as important as its visible beauty. Our commitment to lab-grown diamonds combines modern science with classic elegance, and clarity plays a vital role in this journey.

Why Lab-Grown VS1 and VS2 Diamonds Are Exceptional

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds but have a transparent and sustainable origin story. When considering VS1 vs VS2 clarity in lab-grown diamonds, the standards are just as rigorous, sometimes even more exacting, because the controlled environment allows for precise management of inclusions.

This means you get:

• Consistently high-quality clarity grades
• Eye-clean stones with minimal imperfections
• Exceptional brilliance, untouched by the mining process’s environmental footprint
• Transparency in grading with crystal clear identification and classification
  

ViXii’s Curated Selection

For those who value authenticity, sustainability, and exquisite clarity, ViXii offers the best of all worlds: diamonds that honour tradition and innovate for the future. Our carefully curated collection features lab-grown diamonds of VS1 and VS2 clarity, handpicked for their exceptional purity and emotional resonance.

Choosing Clarity That Reflects You

Clarity isn’t a mere grade; it’s a symbol of perfection and authenticity. The question, “Is VS1 or VS2 better?” isn’t about flawlessness, but about which clarity moves you.

VS1 offers near-impeccable purity, while VS2 delivers remarkable beauty with subtle character. Both shine brilliantly in ViXii’s ethically crafted, lab-grown diamonds.

The right choice isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about choosing the diamond that mirrors your story, your values, and your uncompromising elegance because true clarity is deeply felt more than just seen.