What does VVS mean?
VVS describes the clarity of a diamond with almost no inclusions. To elaborate, microscopic inclusions are hard to see even under a 10 x lens. In fact, VVS clarity diamonds represent the closest clarity grades to an Internally Flawless diamond.
The abbreviation of VVS clarity stands for “very very slightly included.”
The term was introduced in 1953 by the GIA—now adopted worldwide alongside many other diamond clarity grades.
Diamonds achieve one of several clarity grades assigned by a professional gemmologist. Clarity grades range from Flawless (Fl diamond grade) with an absence of any internal or external flaws, to I3 as the lowest grade.
The difference between VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds.
The VVS clarity grade is divided into two grades: VVS1 diamonds and VVS2 diamonds, with one grade respectively better than the other, difficult to differentiate to an untrained eye.
Both grades represent some of the highest-clarity diamonds available. Moreover, VVS1 stands one clarity grade lower than Internally Flawless.
Where do VVS diamonds fall on a diamond clarity chart?
The following chart shows the position of VVS diamonds relative to other clarity grades.
Why buy a VVS diamond?
But, why should you buy a VVS clarity diamond? When you buy a diamond, expect to spend plenty of time learning about the 4 C’s (Colour, Clarity, Carat weight and Cut).
Clarity affects the transmission of light through a diamond. For this reason, choose a higher clarity grade wherever possible. SI diamonds provide an eye-clean clarity grade. However, if your budget will stretch to VS clarity or VVS clarity, there will be no inclusions visible to the naked eye within your diamond.
Some buyers question the price difference between VVS diamonds and lower clarity grades. For example, how good is good enough? Other questions arise. How high does the grade need to be in order to own an eye-clean diamond?
In this video we compare a D colour VVS2 clarity 1 carat diamond with a D colour VVS1 1 carat diamond.
Best clarity grades for a clear diamond
VVS diamonds offer exceptional clarity. But, the lower price of a VS diamond has its merits. Firstly, in terms of price. VS diamonds offer exceptional clarity hard to distinguish from a VVS clarity diamond. Moreover, VS diamonds are less expensive.
Diamond shape and the effect on clarity
Consider the size and shape of your diamond. Very slight inclusions can be more apparent in some diamond shapes. For example, Baguette or Emerald Cuts. Other diamond shapes help to hide inclusions. For example, the Princess cut.
Emerald cuts (left) are best sourced in higher clarity grades.
VVS lab-grown diamonds price compared to natural diamonds.
The market for lab-grown diamonds has exploded in the last 12 months. Today, there are an incredible amount of VVS clarity lab-grown diamonds available in most colours, sizes and diamond shapes.
As part of our work at Serendipity Diamonds, we source both natural or lab-grown diamonds but how do they compare in terms of price.
Natural price – £8000 – £10,000 based on a 1 carat D colour VVS1 clarity GIA certified natural diamond.
Lab-grown price – Approximately £1,000 for a 1-carat D colour VVS1 clarity IGI certified lab-grown diamond.
Contact our team for more help and guidance on any of our services. Showroom appointments are available Monday to Saturday.
Ethical diamonds – going beyond conflict-free
As part of our work, we source 100% ethical traceable diamonds. As such, we regularly source VVS clarity stones for clients from the Ekati and Diavik Mines in Canada’s North West Territories.
CanadaMark Diamonds offers buyers information on the origin of each diamond. In addition, diamonds include the original rough diamond weight and full GIA certification.
Please note, our CanadaMark diamonds are specially purchased to order, available for trade and private clients. Stocklist updated weekly.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
