15+ Inclusions in VS2 BGD H&A?

[sparkleloo]

Hello!

I've read through a lot of Pricescope threads in the past few months and have really learned a lot. I'm still quite new to all of this, though, and I'm confused about clarity...

I was recently looking at a BGD Signature H&A stone. It has a clarity grade of VS2 and shows at least 15 inclusions. That seems like a really big number? Most other stones I've seen have a few, but nothing like 15. They are crystals and needles.

I know they are a really great company and sell great diamonds. They did confirm that the stone is eye clean. They said you'd need a loupe (at least 10x magnification) to see the inclusions. But I guess I still feel uncomfortable. Should I?

Thank you so much!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Clarity has nothing to do with number of inclusions. It has to do with how visible they are (location, size, color all come into play in the grading). So certainly a stone that is VS2 can have 1 inclusion or 20. Order the stone and look at it before setting if it would make you more comfortable.

 

[Laila619]

This is why I don't automatically assume VS2 is always safe. I look at the actual clarity plot more than the clarity grade. I've owned Si1 diamonds with far cleaner plots than many VS2 plots I've seen. I would probably pass and look for a cleaner stone.

 

[sparkleloo]

Clarity has nothing to do with number of inclusions. It has to do with how visible they are (location, size, color all come into play in the grading). So certainly a stone that is VS2 can have 1 inclusion or 20. Order the stone and look at it before setting if it would make you more comfortable.

Thank you for your reply! So the difference between VS1 and VS2, then, would be that it is harder to see the inclusions in a VS1 stone under magnification? A VS1 could still have as many inclusions as a VS2?

 

[sparkleloo]

This is why I don't automatically assume VS2 is always safe. I look at the actual clarity plot more than the clarity grade. I've owned Si1 diamonds with far cleaner plots than many VS2 plots I've seen. I would probably pass and look for a cleaner stone.

Thank you for your reply! We are definitely leaning toward looking for something with far fewer inclusions... I just wanted to make sure we weren't crazy for feeling concerned!

 

[TitanCi]

^+1. I've seen some really CLEAN SI1's even with the clarity plots. Blows my mind.

 

[Mico]

Clarity has nothing to do with number of inclusions. It has to do with how visible they are (location, size, color all come into play in the grading). So certainly a stone that is VS2 can have 1 inclusion or 20. Order the stone and look at it before setting if it would make you more comfortable.

That's odd, purely theoretical question, but then why would some SI2s be nicer than some VS2s? You would think there would be a better way to assess clarity (especially with 20 inclusions)

I have a very eyeclean SI2, it works in my benefit, but I feel bad for someone (like my friend) who has a GIA VS2 (cost more than my SI2) with a more prominent inclusion present.

 

[Laila619]

^+1. I've seen some really CLEAN SI1's even with the clarity plots. Blows my mind.

Yep. I used to own a nearly 2 carat SI1, and I can't help but think they made a mistake when they graded the clarity because it was eye clean, no feathers or cavities, and the plot was basically blank!

 

[diamonds-are-friends]

depending on the carat size of the diamond, clarity grades of VS2 can mean different things. it is very unlikely for a stone to be graded "wrongly" by GIA/AGS. The thing is, most si diamonds are eye clean. Inclusions become noticeable usually when they are louped.

 

[John P]

The clarity grade is collective. It's determined based on size, number, position, nature and relief/visibility of characteristics present.

In the same way a large number of oily pores on a supermodel's face may be completely invisible compared to a single mole...a collection of many pinpoints can absolutely have less gemological significance than a larger single crystal. Any inclusion plot is a map which identifies the location of inclusions and blemishes, but the indicators on that plot may not be anywhere near actual scale.

As a tongue-in-cheek comparison (using Alaskan population-density) the graphic on the left could be compared to VS2, as opposed to the one on the right which might be SI1 in terms of density/significance.

 

[sparkleloo]

The clarity grade is collective. It's determined based on size, number, position, nature and relief/visibility of characteristics present.

In the same way a large number of oily pores on a supermodel's face may be completely invisible compared to a single mole...a collection of many pinpoints can absolutely have less gemological significance than a larger single crystal. Any inclusion plot is a map which identifies the location of inclusions and blemishes, but the indicators on that plot may not be anywhere near actual scale.

As a tongue-in-cheek comparison (using Alaskan population-density) the graphic on the left could be compared to VS2, as opposed to the one on the right which might be SI1 in terms of density/significance.

Thanks so much for this! Very helpful!

 

[Dancing Fire]

As a tongue-in-cheek comparison (using Alaskan population-density) the graphic on the left could be compared to VS2, as opposed to the one on the right which might be SI1 in terms of density/significance.

JP
so Montana and Idaho is VVS1 and Ca. is an I3?..

 

[TC1987]

Not every diamond is ideally suited for an engagement ring, either. Inclusions that might be objectionable for an engagement ring are not necessarily going to be noticed in a cocktail ring, an earring, or a pendant. Or a brooch, if anyone still makes those or wears them.