Buyers Guide: Inside the VS-2 clarity grade of diamonds
A client of Brian Gavin Diamonds recently sent us an email inquiring about the nature of the inclusions contained within a VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature diamond. The diamond has since been sold, and the specifics of the diamond are not important. However, I think that the questions posed by this client are representative of concerns that other people have expressed in the past about VS-2 clarity diamonds. Thus I thought I would provide clarification of the VS-2 clarity grade and address his questions via blog post.
Q1: I am slightly concerned about the diamond's clarity rating of VS2, and upon looking at the AGS report, it seems there are several quite significant inclusions in or on the diamond.
A1: The first thing to keep in mind is that the plotting diagrams featured on diamond grading reports are one dimensional. They merely plot the location of the inclusions from one perspective. When in fact, diamonds are three dimensional objects. Inclusions are located at different depths within the diamond, thus the inclusions are not as easy to see as you might imagine.
The magnification used to photograph diamonds:
Another factor that you’ll want to keep in mind is the degree of magnification that Brian Gavin uses to photograph the inclusions within our diamonds. It is high enough that it makes a standard U.S. Dime look like this. Needless to say that at this higher degree of magnification, it is going to be relatively easy to see the inclusions within a diamond. But that’s the whole idea actually. You wouldn’t be able to readily and immediately identify the inclusions within a diamond if we used the industry standard of 10x magnification. We need higher resolution to make inclusions visible on a computer monitor.
Q2: How will these inclusions affect the diamonds light and appearance performance?
A2: By definition, the VS-2 clarity grade means that the inclusions within the diamond are very slight. Thus they are not really going to have a negative impact on the light performance of the diamond. Keep in mind that light is traveling through the diamond and reflecting from all directions. Diamonds are not really viewed from a static position. Diamonds tend to be viewed while they are in motion. Thus it is unlikely that the tiny inclusions that tend to be represented by the VS-2 clarity grade will have any measurable effect upon the visual performance or appearance of a diamond.
Q3: Is the diamond still eye-clean (from a top down view perspective and from any 360 degree vantage point?
A3: Keep in mind the higher degree of magnification being used to make it possible for you to locate and identify the inclusions in the clarity photograph and video. On my computer monitor, the diamond faces-up about the size of a tennis ball when I click on the option to view the video full frame. While in reality the diamond measures about 7 millimeters. Now imagine shrinking the diamond down from the size of a tennis ball to actual size. What is the likelihood that you’re going to be able to locate the inclusions within a VS-2 clarity diamond with just your eyes? The question is rhetorical. The answer is none.
Q4: How will this VS2 clarity rating effect the diamonds value over time? Will it depreciate since it is of lower clarity quality?
A4: Diamond prices are relative to diamond quality. Diamond prices are calculated based upon the range of carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality. The cut quality of a diamond can actually effect the price by as much as sixty percent. Thus the value of the diamond remains relative. Whether diamond prices increase or decrease over time, the value of the diamond will always be determined based upon its characteristics.
Q5: If possible, could you provide more detailed images of the diamond?
A5: Click on the icon comprised of four white squares which is located in the upper right corner of the video window. This will open a window providing a full frame view of the diamond. You can use your mouse to drag the diamond back and forth. This enables you to literally view the diamond from 360 degrees. This provides much more detail than could be obtained from any additional static images that we could provide.
The diamond details pages for Brian Gavin Signature diamonds provide the in-depth details required to make an informed decision. There is a clarity photograph, a high resolution video, and reflector scope images such as ASET, Ideal Scope, and Hearts & Arrows scope. They are without a doubt, some of the most detail oriented descriptive pages available for diamonds being sold online or in-store.
