VVS Diamond Clarity: Delving into the Depths
Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are valued and ranked based on cut, color, carat, and clarity (also known as the 4C’s). Fire and brightness are determined by the cut, weight is determined by the carat, and color determines the color of a diamond.
However, clarity refers to how clear the diamond is means characteristics of diamond clarity. Clarity grades are determined supported by the number of scratches, and state orbits of mineral deposits on the surface of or at intervals of a diamond.
VVS diamonds are acknowledged to be one of the very best marks of diamonds in terms of clarity, however, what precisely are these bright stones?
In this article, we will look closely at VVS diamond grade;
The Clarity Grading Scale
A clarity grading scale ranges from flawless (FL) to included (I) clarity. A flawless stone FL has no inclusions or surface imperfections, whereas enclosed I stones have inclusions visible. The diamond’s inclusions increase with each step down the scale. The following table shows the grades for various levels of clarity.
Flawless |
Internally Flawless |
VVS1 |
VVS2 |
VS1 |
VS2 |
SI1 |
SI2 |
I1 |
I2 |
I3 |
What is VVS Diamond Clarity?
VVS means very very slightly included, which visualizes diamond clarity and appearance. Diamonds with VVS clarity have a tiny flaw within the diamond that is even difficult to identify under 10x magnification. In the VVS diamond clarity, there are two categories: VVS1 and VVS2.
The Basics of VVS Diamonds
VVS diamonds have tiny inclusions that are faint to the human eye. These inclusions are so tiny that they’re troublesome to check even with 10x magnification.
VVS DIAMONDS COME IN TWO TYPES: VVS1 AND VVS2
VVS diamonds come into two categories VVS1 and VVS2, now, we will discuss how they are graded depending on the number of inclusions present in a diamond, inclusion size, and position of inclusion.
How GIA Grade VVS Diamond Clarity
Factor Affecting Clarity Grade |
Meaning |
VVS1 |
VVS2 |
NUMBER OF INCLUSIONS | The individual imperfections within a diamond are called “inclusions”.The number of inclusions in a VVS diamond can vary but is most common. | 1-2 Inclusions; that are not visible to the naked eye and magnification. |
1-5 Inclusions; that may be seen under magnification. |
Inclusion size is differentiated by how difficult they are to spot under 10x magnification | Inclusions size differentiated by how difficult they are to spot under 10x magnification |
There are very small size inclusions that are not Visible. |
The inclusions are barely visible. |
INCLUSIONS LOCATION |
The locations of any inclusions affect how visible they are (with imperfections near the top of the stone being the easiest to spot) which in turn affects their clarity grade. | It has small inclusions on the stone’s edge and the pavilion that cannot be seen. | Inclusions may be visible in the center of the stone and on the crown. |
VVS1 vs VVS2: Check Diamond Comparison in Details
VVS1 vs VVS2: What is the best way to compare them?
The first “VVS1” grade stands for the “very, very slightly included 1” grade which means that there are minor inclusions or blemishes that are not visible to the naked eye. It sounds good but it’s only a little better than the VVS2 and it costs a bit more.
The second “VVS2” grade stands for the “very, very slightly included 2”, which means there are some flaws and inclusion within the diamond that can be seen by examination with a high-powered 10x magnification jeweler’s loupe.
Difference Between VVS1 vs VVS2 Diamonds
There are many different types of diamonds available today such as natural diamonds, and synthetic diamonds. Each type comes with its own set of characteristics. One of those characteristics includes the presence of imperfections called inclusions.
As mentioned before, the main difference between VVS1 vs VVS2 is the number of inclusions present in the diamond. While VVS1 contains just a couple of inclusions, VVS2 has some more! If you’re interested in knowing what exactly constitutes a “good” clarity for you, or whether a particular diamond is appropriate for you. Then, here’s how to tell the difference between VVS1 & VVS2.
Here Are The Definitions Of Both VVS1 And VVS2:
VVS1 Diamonds:
A VVS1 diamond is considered to be free of any noticeable defects such as cracks, chips, natural fractures, etc. There are no major problems with its appearance. Its brilliance is very high and it looks stunning. There could be small surface scratches due to polishing but that cannot be seen with the naked eye, even if it is difficult to find with jeweler’s magnification loupe. They don’t affect the overall beauty of the diamond too much. These diamonds contain one or two inclusions that are hardly visual under 10x magnification.
VVS2 Diamonds:
On the contrary, a VVS2 has only a few small types of inclusions. VVS2 diamonds are slightly flawed. It doesn’t look too bad; it has some slight imperfections like a scratch or a chip. This kind of flaw doesn’t detract from the value of the diamond because most people won’t notice it unless they’re looking closely. But they do make it seem perfectly polished. That said, a VVS2 diamond is much less expensive than a VVS1.
So, Which One Is Better VVS1 Vs VVS2?
Once you have read the above information about the differences between the two, it will be easier for you to decide which of these two is better for you. A VVS2 Diamond has few inclusions or flaws that may be seen under good lighting conditions or with a jeweler loupe. On the other hand, a VVS1 diamond has minor blemishes that are difficult to see with the naked eye; but VVS1 diamonds cost more as compared to VVS2 diamonds.
If you want the best in terms of quality, value, flawless diamonds, and inclusion, you can choose VVS1. It is better since it costs more but does not have a single visible flaw to the naked eye. And if you want to save money and still get a diamond with fewer flaws, then you can opt for VVS2.
VVS1 Vs VVS2 Diamond Prices Comparison
Now let’s discuss the price difference between VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds. Both grades come at a typical rate. But, VVS1 is priced a bit higher than VVS2. This is because VVS1 diamonds contain fewer flaws than VVS2 diamonds. So, when buying a diamond, always consider your budget before choosing a specific grade. You should also know that while VVS1 diamonds are expensive, their shine lasts, making them worth every penny spent on them.
VVS1 Diamond Prices
VVS1 is more precious than VVS2 diamond. These diamonds are more costly mainly because of the additional features they possess. Some of these features include better light performance, increased clarity, and less visible inclusions. They are not as costly as (IF). A VVS1 diamond costs from $800 -$1200 depending on the cut, color, clarity, carat weight, etc. For example, a round diamond can cost you more as compared with other cuts. The VVS1 diamond can cost you $1,000 for a well-cut 0.50 Carat diamond.
VVS2 Diamond Prices
The VVS2 diamond price is less than the VVS1 diamond. It is cheap since they have fewer flaws and inclusions visible to the naked eye. These diamonds are usually priced at around $500-$600 per carat. This makes them affordable when compared to VVS1 diamonds. But, if you buy one with higher grades like F or IF, your prices would go up significantly. You should also know that most people prefer buying a lower graded diamond instead of an IF diamond. So, if you’re looking for something cheap without compromising the sparkle, VVS2 might be the perfect option for you.
Types of Inclusions in VVS Diamond
When diamonds are formed naturally or in a laboratory, they develop certain birthmarks known as inclusions or clarity characteristics. They may or may not be noticeable to the naked eye, depending on the cut, color, and carat of a diamond. Well, different types of inclusions have a different visual impact on a diamond’s clarity grade.
Here we will discuss some common types of inclusion that are found inside a VVS diamond.
Common inclusions on VVS diamonds include;
Types of Inclusion & Blemishes |
Meaning |
VVS1 |
VVS2 |
PINPOINT |
These are very small crystals with black and white tints found inside diamonds. | ||
NATURAL |
It is usually a rough part of a diamond left untouched during polishing, which can be found on the girdle. | ||
INTERNAL GRAINING |
It creates some small faint lines that appear milky and hazy because of irregular crystal growth. | ||
TAINT CLOUDS |
It is a group of tiny pinpoints found inside the diamond. A diamond may appear cloudy due to clouds’ taint. | ||
FEATHER AND CHIP |
Feather is a small crack in the diamond that can cause a durability issue. And the chips are caused by accidental knocks and are usually found on the girdle. |
Where are you able to obtain VVS Diamonds?
Most jewelers can carry diamonds from across the whole clarity scale except for flawless and internally flawless stones. Finegrown diamonds permit customers to look for diamonds supported by any of the 4C’s. If you’re on the seek for VVS diamonds, the loose diamond search could be a great spot to start.
Remember, the VVS grade solely refers to the clarity of the stone. once shopping for a diamond, it’s vital to contemplate all of the C’s, not simply clarity. make sure to issue cut, color, and carat into your call before making a purchase!