What is the Difference Between an SI and a VS Diamond?

What is the difference between an SI and a VS diamond? There are many factors to consider when deciding on the quality of a diamond. SI diamonds are typically eye-clean, though higher clarity diamonds are susceptible to breaking. However, VS1 diamonds have no visible flaws, making them an excellent choice for engagement rings and other types of engagement rings. If you’re not sure which diamond is right for you, consider the following tips.

The VS diamond is the least expensive of the three clarity grades. VS diamonds may contain slight inclusions, including needles and clouds. They are also less visible to the naked eye, making them an affordable choice. VS diamonds are also more affordable than VS1 and I1 and can be a more affordable choice if you’re on a budget. Although VS diamonds have fewer inclusions than VS diamonds, they still have plenty of sparkles, and if you can live with a bit of flaw, it might be worth the extra price.

What is the Definition of Diamond Clarity?

Diamonds are formed naturally in the Earth’s Mantle, located between 120 and 200 kilometers below the surface. Diamonds have been exposed to extreme heat of up to 1200°C for 3 million years. After that, they become fully formed diamonds. Only a small percentage of diamonds will come out perfectly flawless due to this process, as most diamonds will have flaws that reduce the diamond’s clarity.

Diamond clarity, or simply clarity, is a quality grade used to assess a diamond’s external appearance. Diamonds with “Inclusions” or “Blemishes” have lower prices, and the more minor faults a diamond has the higher its clarity.

Even though it is difficult to discern with your eyes, diamond clarity plays a significant role in determining a diamond’s price.

Here are Beautiful SI and VS Diamond Jewelry

Peora Lab Grown Diamond 5-Stone Trellis Ring Band in 14K White Gold, Round Shape, 1/2 Carat Total, E-F Color, SI Clarity, 1.5mm width, Sizes 4 to 9

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Features

  • LUXURY GOLD BAND – Let Peora be a part of your special day with this elegant 14K White Gold Wedding Ring. The delicate 5-stone band featuring Round white Peora Lab Grown Diamonds, 1/2 Carat Total, goes perfectly with engagement rings or when worn alone. The open trellis design highlights the brilliance of the diamonds allowing light to penetrate through for a stunning shine and scintillation. Selected for its Eye Clean Top Quality and brilliance, the diamonds are 3mm each, E-F Color, SI Clarity.
  • SUPERIOR CONFLICT-FREE DIAMONDS – Unlike natural, Earth-mined diamonds, Peora Lab Grown Diamonds are diamonds created in a laboratory. Peora Lab Diamonds are an environmentally friendly, conflict-free, and long-term replacement for natural diamonds. Hand-cut for maximum scintillation by our Expert Craftsmen.
  • Peoria’s exquisite jewelry offers not just a history of authenticity but also a guarantee of exceptional quality. 14K is stamped and hallmarked on gold jewelry.
    PEACE OF MIND – Each piece of Peora jewelry comes with a Certificate of Authenticity that guarantees quality and pleasure.
  • CLASSIC AND DURABLE – The Peora 14K White Gold Wedding Ring Band is enhanced with dazzling lab-made diamonds and is available in sizes 4 to 9, including half sizes for the perfect fit. Heavy-duty prongs hold each of the five stunning round brilliant cut diamonds. The lab-crafted diamond ring is made of the finest 14k gold, has a comfortable fit, is hypoallergenic, nickel-free, and safe for sensitive skin. 1.5mm ring width.
  • MEANINGFUL GIFT – Let Peora join you in celebrating your special occasion with this 14K White Gold round brilliant lab-grown Diamond Wedding Ring Band. It may stand on its own and compliment her engagement ring for the perfect match, thanks to its delicate band and gleaming diamonds. A diamond wedding ring is a perfect start to your forever, delicately packaged in Peoria’s distinctive gift box. Also makes a beautiful present for wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and other occasions.

Kobelli Lab Grown Diamond Semi-Eternity Band 1/4 CTW 14k White Gold (DEF/VS)

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Features

  • 14k White Gold Diamond Wedding Band with All Genuine Lab-Grown Diamonds
  • Prongs with a Semi-eternity setting
  • For convenient gifting and storage, a jewelry box is included.

What is the Difference Between VS and SI Diamonds?

Selecting a diamond-graded SI or VS is a good idea if you want to get the most out of your diamond budget. These diamond grades are spotless to the naked eye and have almost no discernible difference when seen side by side.

VS diamonds come in two grades: VS1 and VS2. These diamonds are Very Slightly Included, with inclusions visible with a 10x magnification. These diamonds, which rank third on the grading scale, are considered good quality and should have no flaws or imperfections when they are set.

SI diamonds are classified as SI1 or SI2, and they are Slightly Included and rated fourth on the diamond clarity scale. These inclusions are visible under 10x magnification; however, they are rarely visible through the diamond’s crown to the naked eye. However, depending on where the inclusion is located, it may be visible to the naked eye in some circumstances. These are good-quality diamonds that can help you save a lot of money when attempting to squeeze a diamond into your budget.

Although it is generally advised not to go below a VS diamond, if you locate a SI diamond that is clean to the human sight, you can get a lot of bang for your buck. An SI1 diamond that is visibly clear to the eye will appear practically comparable to a VS diamond but will cost less to buy. As a result, purchasing an SI1 diamond visible to the naked eye is an excellent decision.

It will be worthwhile to look for an SI1 diamond that you like. Some SI diamonds may have a haziness that may only be noticed under magnification, while others may have a tiny haziness that can be seen with the naked eye. To make the best decision, compare diamonds side by side.

What are the Factors to Consider When Grading Clarity?

Size, nature, number, relief, and position are the five characteristics that might affect the clarity of a diamond.

Size – The lower the clarity grade, the greater the inclusion in the diamond. A significant inclusion can also affect the diamond’s durability, so a lower-grade diamond should not be purchased.

Nature – Nature describes the sort of inclusion and considers the depth of the inclusion. Inclusions are imperfections that penetrate deep into the diamond, whereas blemishes are flaws that are only visible on the surface of the stone and do not enter the diamond.

Inclusions or blemishes are crucial because the higher the number of flaws or blemishes, the lower the diamond’s clarity grade. However, if the inclusions are not apparent, the overall number rating will not be affected.

The location of the inclusion or flaw in the diamond is referred to as the location. The more significant the impact of the inclusion on the clarity, the closer it is to the table’s center. This is because it alters the way light reflects within the diamond. Closer inclusions are harder to discern, but if they are close to the surface, they can cause harm to the stone.

The distinctness of the inclusion when observed within the diamond is referred to as relief. As a result, the more relief there is, the higher the impact on the clarity grade.

What is the Importance of Diamond Clarity?

While all four Cs, clarity, cut, color, and carat, should be considered when purchasing a diamond, clarity should be one of the most important considerations. Going below an SI1 diamond puts you at risk of buying a diamond with a visible inclusion that will impact the diamond’s overall sparkle and brightness or a diamond with an inclusion that will affect the stone’s durability.

If you can’t decide between a VS and an SI diamond, an SI1 diamond might be preferable. Finding a clean SI1 diamond will help you save a considerable amount of money while still leaving you with a brilliant, glittering diamond that will look stunning in any setting.

Which you Should Choose Between VS and SI?

We believe that VS2 clarity diamonds provide the ideal blend of beauty and cost because the inclusions in a VS2 diamond are invisible to the human eye. The minor changes in appearance between the GIA clarity grading scale’s highest grades are worth the cost.

However, for diamonds more prominent than two carats, emerald cut diamonds, and Asscher cut diamonds with broad facets that show imperfections more efficiently, you may choose to upgrade to VS1.

If you’re looking for a round, brilliant diamond, an eye-clean SI1 diamond can be an excellent option. To ensure that your diamond is an SI1 and not a lower clarity grade, insist on a grading report from the GIA or AGS: Other labs may not grade to the same high standards as you.

What does SI Stand for in the World of Diamonds?

SI indicates that the diamond has tiny inclusions visible under 10x magnification. They may be apparent without magnification, especially if they’re more significant or near the diamond’s center, where there aren’t many facets to hide them.

SI1 and SI2 are two types of SI (slightly included one and slightly included 2). In comparison to an SI2, an SI1 diamond contains fewer, more minor, and less apparent inclusions. The inclusions are typically medium in size, and the location can be anywhere (in the center under the table or on the sides near the girdle). Inclusions are more centralized in SI diamonds. The number of SI2 and SI1 inclusions in a sample can be different, and it could be a single or multiple inclusions. Rather than a slew of minor inclusions, you can usually count on one grade-setting inclusion.

SI diamonds, which are less than VS2 (or slightly included 2), might be a good value for budget-conscious buyers. This range accounts for less than half of all gem-quality diamonds globally. An SI diamond can be 10% to 20% less expensive than a VS diamond. They’re in high demand, especially SI1, because the inclusions aren’t visible and allow customers to focus on the other C’s like carat and color.

How to Search for SI Diamonds?

If you’re looking for a SI diamond, you’ve come to the right place.

SI-grade diamonds are available from a range of jewelers. However, each jeweler’s selection of SI diamonds may vary. This is especially essential because the defects may be better or worse depending on the jeweler’s inventory.

With Clarity’s diamond search, you may uncover the most extensive inventory of SI1 and SI2 clarity diamonds at best possible price. Combine the clarity of the diamond with the other 4Cs to see if SI is the perfect clarity range for you based on your price range and budget. The value of clarity, like everything else, is largely contingent on your personal preferences.

I (or included) in the following range below SI, which means:

Under 10x magnification, the diamond may have apparent flaws or blemishes that are evident.

Diamonds greater than 0.5 carats may have apparent inclusions, often seen without 10x magnification.

What is the Popularity of SI Diamonds?

SI diamonds are attractive because they may have eye-visible clarity features; they don’t detract too much from the sparkle. Diamond sparkle is slightly impaired to the human eye; however, light performance is still pretty good. It can be distracting only when clouds or a single prominent inclusion determines the diamond grade. Even if the inclusions are closer to the girdle, structural issues rarely produce chips or splits in the diamond when it is set in jewelry.

Consumer preference has moved over time from mere carat weight to diamond quality. We usually advise against going below SI clarity, especially with larger diamonds, because the flaws become more prominent, and SI inclusions are not noticeable in smaller carat diamonds (under 0.50ct).

What are Flaws that cannot be seen with Naked Eyes?

If you presented a VVS2 diamond to an expert, they might spend several minutes looking for the fault, dubbed “Very Very Slightly Included” in this example.

When it comes to VS1 diamonds, the professional may take less time to spot faults. With a 10x magnifier, a specialist can easily spot defects in VS2 diamonds, but the general public will almost certainly be unable to do so with their naked eye.

When talking about VS2, SI1, and SI2 diamonds, it’s common to hear that they have apparent imperfections that can be seen with the naked eye (referred to as “Eye Visible Inclusion” in the diamond industry). We will gladly examine your diamond for free if you contact us. We’ll also be happy to find a SI diamond that is “Eye Clean” (No visible flaws). For us, it is not a challenging task.

Suppose you need a magnifying or a loupe to help you discover imperfections in your diamonds. In that case, I recommend using a high-quality branded magnifier with an up-to-standards lens like this one: Nikon XP 10X Loupe.

Conclusion

The difference between an SI diamond and a VS diamond is the clarity of the stones. Inclusions are minor blemishes within the diamond’s facets. A diamond with a high clarity grade has fewer inclusions, while one with low clarity has significant flaws. Inclusions in an SI diamond are not visible to the naked eye, but they’re easily visible when viewed under magnification.

As you can see, no two diamonds are the same. Even though every diamond contains the same carbon, tiny particles from other minerals or smaller diamonds can become part of its structure. This is called inclusion, and it is a natural phenomenon and cannot be avoided. Inclusions are a natural part of the diamond, but they don’t diminish the stone’s value. However, it’s important to remember that no two diamonds are the same.