Should you choose a VS1, VS2 or SI1 diamond for an engagement ring? For many people, VS2 is a good starting point: its inclusions are often invisible to the naked eye, without the price of an otherwise comparable stone with a higher clarity grade. A carefully selected SI1 can also be worth considering, while a VS1 can offer greater peace of mind on this criterion. Still, the right choice involves more than these letters alone. It depends in particular on the diamond’s size, its shape and where its inclusions are located.
Clarity describes a diamond’s internal characteristics, called inclusions, and its surface characteristics. The GIA scale has 11 grades: FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2 and I3. Grading is performed under 10× magnification. VS means the inclusions are minor; SI indicates that they are more easily noticeable at this magnification. Within the same category, grade 1 is higher than grade 2. This system therefore does not directly tell you what you will see when looking at your ring in everyday life.
The difference between VS1 and VS2 may be obvious to a trained person examining the stone with a loupe, yet imperceptible once the ring is on your finger. With comparable weight, colour and cut quality, paying more for VS1 does not automatically bring more sparkle. If both diamonds are eye-clean and have good transparency, the extra cost mainly buys a higher clarity grade. For a ring worn every day, it is better to compare the stones side by side than to assume that the higher grade will necessarily look more beautiful.
An SI1 diamond deserves an individual assessment, not an automatic rejection. A small, pale inclusion near the edge may be discreet, while a dark crystal in the centre may draw more attention. Some extensive inclusions can also reduce transparency, even if they do not look like a visible spot. Ask whether the characteristics observed raise any durability concerns, particularly when a fracture reaches the surface near the edge. A prong can sometimes conceal an inclusion, but it does not solve a durability problem. An appealing price should never replace this check.
Shape and dimensions also affect how noticeable inclusions are. Step cuts, such as emerald and Asscher, have large facets that can make certain inclusions easier to see. A brilliant cut, such as the round brilliant, may conceal them more effectively among its reflections, though there is no absolute guarantee. An inclusion may also become more noticeable in a larger stone. For an emerald cut, starting your search at VS1 or VS2 can therefore be practical, then adjusting based on the actual diamond rather than imposing a universal minimum.
How can you check whether a diamond is eye-clean? First, ask what that expression means to the person presenting it: it is not an official grade. Look at the stone from above at approximately 25 to 30 cm, without a loupe, under diffused light, then under ordinary indoor lighting. Also examine the side if the setting leaves it visible. A highly magnified video helps locate inclusions but can exaggerate their importance in everyday wear. When shopping remotely, ask for an unfiltered video and a written description of their visibility.
To compare prices in Quebec, request three diamonds of the same origin, natural or lab-grown, with a shape, weight, colour and cut quality that are as similar as possible: one VS1, one VS2 and one SI1. Compare their dimensions in millimetres too, not just their carat weights. This will help you better isolate the cost associated with clarity. There is no reliable savings percentage that applies to every stone. Ask whether prices include taxes and whether the setting is included, so you can compare equivalent proposals.
The right diamond is not necessarily the one with the highest clarity grade on its report: it is the one whose appearance you love, with clearly explained characteristics and a price that fits your budget. At AUCLAIRE, centre diamonds are GIA- or IGI-certified, and every piece of jewellery comes with an AUCLAIRE certificate of authenticity. To take the next step at your own pace, you can ask the Montreal workshop for three certified options to compare based on your criteria, ideally in VS1, VS2 and SI1 when available. It is a practical way to see what each choice really changes.
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