A VVS (very, very lightly included) diamond and a VS (very, very lightly included) diamond differ in clarity and can vary significantly in price, all else being equal. Knowing these differences can help you when shopping for an engagement ring.
In this blog we cover:
VVS Diamond vs VS Diamond: Why you should know the difference
Diamond clarity: imperfections and inclusions
How the GIA determines diamond clarity
What are VVS diamonds?
What is Diamonds VS?
So which should you choose: a VVS diamond or a VS diamond?
Get a GIA diamond grading report for an unbiased and accurate clarity assessment
The GIA clarity scale contains 11 possible degrees of clarity.
VVS Diamond vs VS Diamond: Why you should know the difference
if it was youCompare engagement ring diamondsWhen purchasing, you are no doubt already familiar with GIA 4C quality diamonds:Colour,clarity,Sectionicarat weight. You have noticed that the quality and size of diamonds is related to the price. This is because larger diamonds, which are highly rated for color, clarity and cut, are rarer and therefore cost more. But when you compare diamonds of the same size, you may have noticed that even the smallest differences in quality (which are often invisible to the naked eye) can have a significant impact on price.
In this blog we will focus on diamond clarity grades, specifically two grading categories that seem to raise a lot of questions and discussions online: VVS (Very Very Slightly Included) and VS (Very Slightly Included). Within each of these categories there are two subcategories (VVS1and plumbing2,against1y VS2) represents the ease with which clarity features can be discerned when the diamond is viewed face up at 10x magnification. Both a VVS diamond and a VS diamond have clarity characteristics that in almost all cases cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, the price differences between these two diamonds can be as much as 30%. For example, according to a 2018 diamond price list used by most wholesalers and retailers, a 1.00 carat (ct) diamond iscolor D, VVS1Diamond can be 20-30% more expensive than a VS1Diamond of the same weight and color. Color G-H 1.00ct, VVS1Diamond can be 15-20% more expensive than a comparable VS1o VS2Diamond.
When buying a diamond of this quality, the difference in price can be significant. For this reason, it's worth knowing these two clarity classes and what it takes to determine the difference in clarity between a VVS diamond and a VS diamond.
Can you tell the difference between these two 1.00ct G Color Round Brilliant Excellent Cut Diamonds? The diamond on the left is VVS clarity.1and costs 15% more than VS2Diamond right Courtesy of Blue Nile
Diamond clarity: imperfections and inclusions.
A diamond's clarity refers to the internal and external characteristics a diamond takes on from its creation through cutting and polishing to everyday use. Some mistakenly call these characteristics "marks" or "flaws." The correct term is 'clarity' and they contribute to each diamond's unique identity.
There are two types of sharpness marks: imperfections and inclusions. A blemish is an external feature confined to the surface of a diamond. Some examples would be additional, natural facets (remnants of the original crystal surface), polish lines, and friction at facet joints.
An inclusion is an internal feature that is completely enclosed within a diamond or extends into the gemstone from its surface. Common inclusions are feathers, crystals, needles, clouds (clusters of needles), internal veins, needles, or jagged natural stones (ie natural stones that reach below the surface of the diamond). Detailed photos and descriptions of these and other sharpness features can be found in ourLack ofiSign upBlogs.
Flaws generally only affect clarity grades in the two main categories (perfect and internally flawless), while inclusions affect all clarity grades. So with VVS and VS diamonds, we focus on inclusions.
A needle is a very small crystal element in the diamond that looks like a tiny dot at 10x magnification. This diamond contains a few spots where a larger crystal is embedded. Photo: John I. Koivula/GIA. Courtesy: K.R. International Gems and Diamonds
Clouds are made up of clusters of dots that may be too small to make out individually, but together they look blurry. Photo: John I. Koivula/GIA
Diamonds with little or no signs of clarity are very rare. Other things being equal, diamonds with fewer inclusions (or smaller, less noticeable inclusions) tend to be more expensive than diamonds with more inclusions (or larger, more noticeable inclusions). With other things, VVS diamonds cost more than VS diamonds.
However, a clarity score is more than just letters and numbers. To understand the difference between VVS and VS grades, let's take a look at how the GIA grades diamonds and what the different grades represent for your diamond.
A visible inclusion would detract from the beauty of this 3.30 carat Asscher Cut Color H VVS1diamond of purity. Courtesy: LangAntiques.com
How the GIA determines diamond clarity
In the GIA clarity system, 10x is the standard magnification used to determine the clarity of a diamond. As a GIA diamond appraiser examines a diamond with his trained eye and a higher powered microscope, he makes the final judgment based on what he can see with a standard 10x jewelry lens.
To arrive at a clarity score, the evaluator considers five factors:
- Size – All other factors being equal, the larger the inclusion or blemish relative to the size of the diamond (and the more visible it is), the lower the clarity of the diamond.
- Count: All other factors being equal, the more inclusions, inclusion reflections, or blemishes visible at 10x magnification, the greater their effect on sharpness.
- Location: Refers to the location of an inclusion or imperfection. The closer an inclusion is to the center of the table, the more it affects the clarity level.
- Relief: Refers to the contrast between the setting or point and the diamond. In general, the more the clarity characteristic differs from the diamond in lightness, darkness or color, the more visible it is and the greater its influence on the clarity grade.
- Nature - This is where the appraiser discusses the nature of the property and the inherent effect it has on the appearance of the diamond. In other words, some inclusions or imperfections may have a greater impact on purity than others.
Once the GIA appraiser has determined all of the diamond's clarity characteristics and considered the five factors listed above, the diamond is assigned a clarity grade based on the following criteria:
| degree of clarity | Visibility at 10x magnification |
| Flawless (FL) | No inclusions or spots are visible at 10x magnification |
| Internally Flawless (IF) | There are no inclusions and only minor imperfections are visible at 10x magnification |
| Included very, very easily (VVS1and plumbing2) | Microscopic inclusions extremely difficult (VVS1) to very difficult (VVS2) to see it at 10x magnification |
| Very easily contained (VS1y VS2) | Small hard inclusions (VS1) to something simple (VS2) to see it at 10x magnification |
| Easily included (YES1and if2) | Notable inclusions that are simple (AN1) or quite simply (YES2) can be viewed at 10x magnification, but are usually not visible to the naked eye |
| Including me1, ME2Me too3) | Obvious inclusions are visible at 10x magnification and are often visible to the naked eye. |
A pair of pears plus one: Two pear-shaped colorless diamonds play second fiddle to a 1.54-carat Fancy Intense yellow diamond in this platinum engagement ring. The three diamonds are VVS.2Clarity. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com
What is VVS?Diamond?
As indicated in the clarity table above, a VVS diamond contains microscopic inclusions ranging from extremely hard (VVS1) to very difficult (VVS2) to see it at 10x magnification. Typical inclusions that may determine the VVS grade include:
- Points, needles, veins, or clouds that are only visible through the pavilion (the part of a polished gem below the band) or that are extremely difficult to see at 10x magnification (VVS).1)
- Dots, needles, streaks, or clouds that are very difficult to see at 10x magnification (VVS) facing up2)
- The smallest inclusions that reach the surface (chips, cavities, springs, dents, necks, natural notches, etc.)
A diamond with inclusions visible to the naked eye will not receive a VVS clarity rating.1o Sanitary2.
Internal grains are a type of inclusion caused by irregularities in crystal growth and can appear as lines, angles or curves. For this diamond, the type of inclusion and its position in the diamond stand contributed to a degree of VVS clarity.1. If the same inclusion were below the diamond table, the diamond could have a lower clarity grade. Photo: Shane F McClure/GIA
This diamond has a clarity grade of VVS.2. The red frame surrounds a small wing, which is barely visible upside down at 10x magnification. A wing is created by a fracture along one of the four octahedral planes of the diamond. Feathers may appear white or transparent. In this example, the feather would likely have been covered by a serration when the diamond had solidified. Photo: GIA
What is VS?Diamond?
A VS diamond contains small inclusions ranging from difficult (VS1) to something simple (VS2) to see it at 10x magnification. Many different types of inclusions are possible, but these must be very small relative to the size of the diamond. Typical inclusions that can determine the grade include a few discrete crystals, nodules, or clouds, or smaller features that appear on the surface, such as a natural cloud, cavity, or cavity. In very rare cases, a large VS stone may contain an inclusion visible to the naked eye.
Looking at an emerald diamond should be like looking at a clear lake of ice. For this reason, emerald cuts look best with higher clarity gemstones such as VS.1Clarity, F color, 5.48 carat center stone in this platinum ring that also features two shield side stones and a halo of colorless diamonds. Courtesy of Raiman Rocks, Inc.
This diamond has a clarity grade of VS.1. The red frame surrounds a small wing, which is barely visible upside down at 10x magnification. Unlike VVS2However, in the example shown above, it is below the diamond table and cannot be covered by the setting. Photo: GIA
This diamond has a clarity grade of VS.2. The red frame surrounds a feather near the table and can be seen by viewing the stone face up at 10x magnification. Photo: GIA
a sanitary area2The marquise diamond dominates the setting of this Cartier engagement ring. Courtesy: LangAntiques.com
So which should you choose: a VVS diamond or a VS diamond?
Now that you know the technical differences between a VVS diamond and a VS clarity diamond, you may be wondering: Is a higher clarity grade worth it? On the one hand, the lower clarity (VS) is not visible to the naked eye in almost all cases. On the other hand, the highest clarity diamond (VVS) represents a diamond closer to perfection (and rarer) than the lower clarity diamond.
For some, the decision may come down to the cut and shape of the diamond. Step-cut diamonds with large rectangular facets such as emerald cuts look best in higher clarity qualities, as do some fancy cuts such as heart and marquise cuts. For others, the decision may be purely symbolic. A high clarity diamond could represent the rarity and purity of great love.
However, choosing the best diamond for you presents a number of challengesChoices between clarity, cut, color and carat weight. While clarity is important, it alone does not guarantee an attractive diamond. If you're budget conscious (like most engagement ring shoppers), the savings from VS Clarity can allow you to buy a larger diamond or one with a better color or cut.
A GIA diamond grading report gives you the information you need to buy a diamond with confidence.
Get a GIA diamond grading report for an unbiased and accurate clarity assessment
Whatever clarity level you choose, you should make sure the diamond is graded by the GIA. This ensures that the clarity rating, along with color, cut and carat weight, is accurate and objective and meets the GIA's strict grading standards.
The small crystals under the table of this diamond qualify it for VS1Qualification. Image: GIA
This diagram of the clarity of a VS2The diamond shows step setting inclusions, some crystals under the table and a cavity in the stand. Image: GIA
ONEGIA Diamond Grading Reportnot only does it include the diamond's clarity grade, but it also provides a graphical chart. The chart represents the inclusions and/or flaws that appear on the table and stand at 10x magnification and gives you their approximate shape and location on the diamond. The chart is used to document the condition of the diamond at the time of grading and supports the diamond's clarity level. And since no two diamonds have the same pattern (unless they are both flawless), it serves as a means of identification.
Learn to read a chart designed by the GIA.
Choosing an engagement ring often means making a thousand small decisions. There is so much emotion and symbolism in an engagement ring - along with financial considerations. But ultimately it comes down to a personal choice that only you can make. Remember, there is no "wrong" answer when it comes to a gift made with love.
Ready to start thinking about diamond shapes?Here is a post that walks you through each step..