If gold is king, then diamonds are the queen in the land of jewelry. Unfortunately, not every gemstone that sparkles is a real diamond, let alone of the highest grade worth your attention, money, and time.
Therefore, today we want to exclusively focus on a special stone, the famous VVS diamond, that everyone is talking about. Thanks to my continuous in-depth jewelry knowledge learnings, shopping experience, and fresh research, you’ll discover the ins and outs here too.
A VVS diamond means Very, Very Small diamond inclusions within the multilevel diamonds’ clarity grading scale jewelry standards. Moreover, the VVS itself is further broken down into two more specifics distinguishes that deal with clarity, ultimately affecting the overall diamond 4c´s quality.
To fully understand the meaning of VVS diamonds as it affects your gemstone jewelry buying behavior it is necessary to get the following brief definitions, benefits, and possible downsides on the topic at hand right.
VVS Diamond Clarity Explained
First, precious diamonds are generally defined by the famous 4c´s:
- Carat – The diamond measurement unit by physical weight, whereby 1 carat is equal to 0.200 grams. The more mass, the more carat weigh. The more valuable in price is a diamond.
- Color – The coloration of a diamond can vary from white to yellow or blue and more, and typically a colorless stone is considered of higher value, though not always.
- Clarity – A chemically clear diamond, like many VVS, has no crystal birthmarks inclusions or external, however may display natural imperfections and is therefore considered most valuable, but other factors may indeed influence the end price.
- Cut – A diamond can be cut in many ways from brilliant to emerald etc., which directly affects the value of these precious gemstones.
On this diamond cut guide here I prepared, you can read more on the different types of cuts that further determine the quality of a stone as well.
Secondly, after the four C´s, diamonds are further divided into key clarity subcategories that ultimately determine their value at the counter or jewelry shopping cart online.
Thirdly, these 4 categories are commonly known as diamond clarity grading, mainly responsible for the VVS diamonds definition, as illustrated in the chart below.
Diamond Clarity Grading Scale Chart
| Diamond Clarity Scale | Meaning |
| FL (Flawless) | Zero inclusions observable to the skilled expert. Considered most valuable | Rarest |
| IF (Internally Flawless) | Zero inclusions for the trained grader, tiniest flaws visible with 10x diamond magnifier. 2nd most valuable, | Extremely rare |
| VVS1 (Very, Very Slightly Included) | Smallest inclusions only observable by expert grader with a 10x magnifying glass. 3rd most valuable gem | Rare |
| VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included) | Identical to VVS1 |
| VS1 (Very Slightly Included) | Slight inclusions hard to easily spot for a trained diamond grader with 10x magnifier. Somewhat rare |
| VS2 (Very Slightly Included) | Identical to VS1 |
| SI1 (Slightly Included) | Simple identifiable inclusions by expert grader using 10x magnifying glass. Most popular diamond | Commonly available |
| SI2 (Slightly Included) | Identical to SI1 |
| I1 (Included) | Effortless to spot inclusions by expert grader using 10x magnifier. Often contains clarity limiting visual interferences |
| I2 (Included) | Identical to I1 |
| I3 (Included) | Identical to I1 & I2 |
| Source:Litawear.com (table & content), GIA (clarity grading system) |
The best interpretation of the de facto official clarity diamond classification used internationally is that within the 11 scales, VVS is sitting on the 3rd highest level in terms of diamond clarity defined as inclusions or imperfections.
In other words:
The higher the diamond grading scale, e.g. FL, the more value is attached to a stone’s clarity, and the lower the grade (e.g. I1), the less valuable is a diamond gem worth. Diamond inclusions in the middle scale like VS2 or more prominent, SI1, are qualitatively the best for your buck.
The latter is only Slightly Included with means that the average jewelry buyer is unable to identify any significant difference from the more high-priced stones like let’s say a VS1 diamond ring.
Even a diamond expert needs a professional 10x magnifier to detect stone imperfections.
Where Does Diamond Inclusions Come From?
Diamond inclusions are naturally created parts inside a diamond that is generally very difficult to identify unless you are a professional diamond grading expert specialized in clarity detection using a 10x magnifying glass. The inclusions are considered a flaw and can reduce the diamond’s value.
What Are Diamond Imperfections?
Imperfections are like inclusions in diamond grading only with a difference that imperfections are typically associated with external parts of a diamond stone while inclusions is a term related to the internal impurity of a diamond. Both generally affect brilliance, clarity, and value.
VVS1 vs VVS2: What’s The Difference?
The difference between a very, very slightly inclusion diamond (VVS1) and VVS2 is so small that an untrained eye, even with a magnifying glass is incapable to detect. However, a professional diamond grader using a 10X magnifier will eventually identify these minute inclusions, and price VVS1 higher.
Pros and Cons of VVS Diamonds
With the essential diamond clarity knowledge above at your hand, it’s time to find out about possible benefits and downsides prior to any diamond buying or even selling decision.
Benefits of a VVS Diamond
- VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are high valued precious gemstones worth possessing
- A VVS stone is a great jewelry investment, not just an exclusive fashion accessory
- Both VVS gems are quite rare and therefore unique jewelry collections
- The visual difference between VVS and higher priced flawless diamonds (FL, IF) is only visible to the clarity grading expert (with a 10x magnifier)
Drawbacks of a VVS Diamond
- Such gemstones like a VVS1 are really expensive, due to rareness and clarity grade
- The difference between the next lower graded very slightly included (VS) diamonds for an average Joe or Jill small, but the price difference so much higher relative to the size and shape you get
- On the absolute highest level of clarity grading, transparent VVS diamonds can’t absorb the light intrusion into the stone like a flawless diamond (FL)
As you can see, the pros of a VVS compared to its downside depends on the factors like stone fracture which may impact its brilliance and therefore ultimately the cost of it.
On the other, if you are on the budget you may choose a precious very slightly included (VS) diamond bracelet for example instead of the relatively more expensive VVS gemstone since even this is still a serious dollar investment to consider carefully.
How Rare Are VVS Diamonds?
A VVS diamond is according to the clarity grading scale the second rarest diamond type after flawless (FL) and internally flawless (IF) inclusions diamonds. This is however only true if we only look at clarity defined as inclusions inside a diamond which is generally labeled as a stone impurity.
Why Are VVS Diamonds So Expensive?
VVS1 and VVS2 are expensive diamonds because of their extreme rareness which is a direct result of natural heat and pressure that creates different quality diamonds depending on external imperfections and internal inclusions, whereby the whiter and clearer the gemstone, the more valuable the piece.
Are Colored VVS Diamonds Worth Anything?
A naturally colored diamond, like pink diamonds, has largely the same value as brilliant white VVS diamonds. The difference between transparent to colored VVS diamond lies in the stone preference for brilliance (colorless) or fancy diamond (e.g. yellow stone). Both are rare and relatively expensive.
VVS Diamond Summary
Within the essential four C´s in the diamond scaling system, clarity has its unique and special place.
A VVS1 or VVS2 graded colorless diamond, may not be 100% flawless like FL or IL (internally flawless), but it is the next closest compared with the other lower scaled and common precious gemstones (e.g. slightly included SI).
This fact makes VVS diamonds a perfect jewelry gift for her, him or yourself. Deciding to buy a very, very slightly included diamond engagement or wedding ring is probably one of the most stunning and unforgettable jewelry presents one can ever make to a significant other.
Let’s be honest, the investment opportunity from a financial point of view is also considerable, while you let the lustrous precious gemstone shine on your finger, wrist, or neck.
However, most people who eventually get a more or less white flawless VVS diamond pendant, princess cut ring, or stud earrings do it because they are in love with the ONE.
Maybe not as rare in nature like the rarest of all diamonds, which is the red diamond but, VVS marked diamonds are extremely uncommon, unique, and just like you or the one you so much love.
If you can, you should strongly consider something as timeless, breathtaking, and future proof like a VVS diamond stone sitting on a silver or gold precious metal instead of gadgets or cars that quickly depreciate in dollars and quality.