The differences between a SI diamond and a VVS diamond have to do with the size and location of inclusions. An SI diamond may have eye-visible inclusions, but they won’t diminish the sparkle, and they’ll often be smaller and more accessible to spot than a SI diamond. On the other hand, a SI diamond may have many large inclusions, which can have a distracting effect on a diamond’s sparkle. However, inclusions closer to the girdle are unlikely to cause any structural problems.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between a SI and a VVS diamond and their differences. Clarity is a subjective matter, and it will depend on your taste. While SI clarity is generally the most desirable quality in a diamond, VVS clarity is the most popular. Neither clarity grade is superior to the other, but both have a range of characteristics that make them desirable for different consumers.
SI Diamond Vs VVS Diamond – What’s The Difference?
A VVS diamond is nearly flawless. A VVS diamond is considered eye-clean because it has no visible inclusions. A few flaws are visible to the naked eye in a SI diamond, and the inclusions in an SI2 diamond, on the other hand, are visible to the naked eye. Finding a genuinely eye-clean diamond can be intricate. The VVS diamond, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for those looking to save money.
Although VS clarity is less expensive than VVS clarity, minor differences exist. The difference between a SI diamond and a VVS diamond is indistinguishable to the untrained eye. The extra money spent on cut quality, on the other hand, can have a significant impact on a diamond’s radiance. . You can purchase an SI diamond for less than the price of a VVS diamond. If you’re on a tight budget, choosing a SI diamond will help you save money.
SI Diamond Vs VVS Diamond (VVS1 – VVS2)
VS2 diamonds are the most expensive, while SI1 diamonds are the most affordable. Buyers are often willing to pay a higher price for VVS diamonds because they have fewer inclusions. An SI2 diamond costs $3,691, with prices ranging from $2,780-$4,130. A VVS2 diamond costs an average of $6,548, and they range in price from $5,440 to $7,370.
While some VVS diamonds have fewer and smaller inclusions than SI diamonds, others have two or more. The GIA assigned a VVS1 grade to a 0.90-carat round diamond from the Blue Nile. A gemologist graded this diamond with a 10-x magnification lens, but the inclusions in the stone are too small to be seen with a jeweler’s loupe.
Even with an x10 magnifier (or the more popular term, a loupe), the flaws are minuscule and difficult to detect; even the most experienced inspectors will need to look for the flaws in this grade.
When determining diamond clarity, gemologists will use a professional microscope to find the flaws in a VVS diamond because they are usually embedded in the diamond, similar to a small dust particle, to determine the clarity of the diamond. In some cases, if there are numerous VVS1 level flaws, analysts may decide to reduce the clarity level of the diamond to VVS2 clarity.
The VVS clarity level of diamonds is considered to be of extremely high quality by the majority of diamond experts. Suppose you have an open budget and look for a diamond with the most popular carat weight, such as the 1 carat diamond at its standard price. In that case, I recommend that you look at VVS clarity level diamonds because this clarity level is considered extremely high quality by the majority of diamond experts.
Very Slightly Included a Classification of Very Slight Inclusions
Diamonds with minor flaws can be seen under x10 magnification; it still takes an expert a few seconds to locate the flaws, but they are noticeably more noticeable than the VVS clarity grade. On the other hand, the general public will not be able to detect any flaws.
In addition to their lower price tag compared to VVS diamonds, clarity grade VS diamonds are also very popular due to their high quality compared to SI diamonds, whose imperfections are more readily visible in some cases. A Little-Known Secret: If you are considering purchasing a diamond but have a limited budget, VS1 diamonds are the option I recommend because you can use the remaining funds to invest in a higher color grade or a better cut quality.
VVS Diamonds Have Fewer Inclusions Than VS Diamonds
The size of inclusions is the most significant difference between VVS and VS clarity: VVS diamonds have more minor and less visible flaws. In most cases, even when looking at these stones under a microscope, it is difficult to detect any inclusions. Compared to SI diamonds, VS diamonds are more likely to have some inclusions that are easy to spot when examining the diamond under magnification. However, at least one or two of the flaws will be more prominent and easily visible with a jeweler’s loupe, even though the majority of them will still be microscopic. Keep in mind that we are still discussing inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye when discussing this subject.
Diamond clarity flaws and inclusions
Diamond clarity describes the internal and external characteristics from formation to cutting, polishing, and daily use. Some call these flaws or marks, and clarity characteristics give a diamond its individuality.
Clarity features include blemishes and inclusions, and a blemish is a flaw on the surface of a diamond. Extra facets, naturals (remains of the original crystal surface), polish lines, and facet junction abrasions.
An inclusion is an internal feature of a diamond that extends into the gem from the surface. These include feathers, feather clouds (groups of pinpoints), internal graining, needles, and natural indented (that is, naturals that extend below the surface of the diamond). See our blemish and inclusion blogs for photos and descriptions of these and other clarity features.
Inclusions affect all grades, whereas blemishes only affect the top two (Flawless and Internally Flawless). Inclusions focus on VVS and VS diamonds and a diamond with a more giant included crystal above the pinpoints.
A pinpoint is a tiny crystal inclusion within a diamond that appears as a dot at 10x magnification. This diamond has a large included crystal above a few pinpoints. A diamond with hazy clouds that is too small to distinguish individually. Rare are diamonds with no or minimal clarity. More minor inclusions – or smaller and less noticeable inclusions – are usually more expensive than inclusions – or larger and more obvious ones. In other words, VVS diamonds cost more than VS diamonds. But a clarity grade is more than that. Let’s look at how GIA grades diamonds and the different categories for your diamond.
What are SI And VVS?
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS) diamonds have minute inclusions that require 10 x magnifications to see. VVS is divided into two grades: VVS1 and VVS2. VVS means pinpoints and needles. On the other hand, the general public will not be able to detect any flaws. In addition to their lower price tag compared to VVS diamonds, clarity grade VS diamonds are also very popular due to their high quality compared to SI diamonds, whose imperfections are more readily visible in some cases.
Do VVS Diamonds Have a Brighter Radiance Than SI Diamonds?
No. It is clarity, not sparkle; VVS measures that. The cut of a diamond determines how much it sparkles. Even though inclusions can impact sparkle if they obstruct light flow, this is most often seen in shallow clarity diamonds with extensive inclusions. A VVS diamond has tiny inclusions that can only be seen under magnification and are very slightly included. VVS diamonds are eye-clean, so there are no blemishes visible to the naked eye. VVS diamonds are one step away from internally flawless (FL) diamonds on the clarity scale.
Are VVS Diamonds Worth It?
While VVS diamonds are rare compared to lower clarity grades, they’re ultimately not a good investment. Diamond resale prices are low, and you’re unlikely to sell many white diamonds for more than their sticker price. Although specific fancy colors may have investment value, this isn’t due to clarity. While VVS diamonds are rarer than diamonds with lower clarity grades, they are still not a good investment. Diamond resale values are low, and you’re unlikely to get more than the sticker price for any white diamond. While some fancy colors may have investment value, this is not due to clarity.
How do You Know Which is Better: VVS or SI?
VVS diamonds are more expensive than SI diamonds because they have better clarity than SI diamonds. One of the most effective ways to understand how clarity affects the price of a diamond is to compare diamonds with similar grades across all other characteristics. The flaws will be invisible to the general public. VS clarity grade diamonds are very popular because they are less expensive than VVS diamonds and have higher quality than SI diamonds, which have visible flaws in some cases.
What is The Best Clarity Grade For a Diamond?
FL, or flawless, is the highest clarity grade available for a diamond. Even when viewed with fewer than 10 x magnifications, a diamond is only ever designated as flawless by the Gemological Institute of America if it contains no inclusions or blemishes that a skilled grader can detect. A clarity grade of VS2 or higher is the safest bet for diamonds weighing more than 2 carats, as it ensures that there are no visible inclusions. If the clarity grade is SI1 or better in a diamond between 1 and 2 carats, there will be no inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye in the diamond.
Conclusion
An SI1 diamond has a visible inclusion at a magnification of about 20 xs. The inclusion will not be visible to the naked eye, but it will be visible under magnification. If the inclusions are more prominent than this, the diamond is not an SI1 if the inclusions are more prominent than this, but it is still an SI1 diamond. An SI2 diamond is similar to an SI1 diamond, but it is usually less expensive. While the price difference between a SI and a VVS diamond isn’t significant, the clarity grade differences are. VS diamonds have more minor inclusions than VS diamonds, but they are more challenging to see with less than 10x magnification. As a result, the VS diamond is the clear winner. However, because VS diamonds are more expensive than VVS diamonds, they should only be considered if you’re on a tight budget.
