VVS diamonds (Very Slightly Included) and VS diamonds (Slightly Included) have different clarity levels and can therefore vary greatly in price, all else being equal. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed choice when buying an engagement ring.
VVS Diamonds vs. VS Diamonds: Why You Need to Know the Difference
If you’ve been comparing diamonds to find the perfect engagement ring, you’re already aware of GIA’s 4Cs of diamond quality: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. You’ve noticed that diamond quality and size are closely linked to price. That’s because larger diamonds with high color, clarity and cut grades are rarer and therefore more expensive. But by comparing diamonds of the same size, you may also find that even the smallest grade differences (often unnoticeable to the naked eye) can have a significant impact on price.
In this blog, we’ll focus on diamond clarity grades—particularly two grades that have sparked countless questions and discussions online: VVS (Very Slightly Included) and VS (Slightly Included). Both diamonds have two subcategories (VVS 1 and VVS 2, VS 1 and VS 2 ), which represent how easily the defined clarity characteristics can be seen when the diamond is examined face-up under 10x magnification. Both VVS and VS diamonds have clarity characteristics that are almost always invisible to the naked eye. However, the price difference between these two types of diamonds can be as much as 30%. For example, according to the 2018 diamond pricing chart used by most wholesalers and retailers, a 1.00 carat (ct) VVS 1 diamond with a D color grade will cost 20%–30% more than a VS 1 diamond of the same weight and color . A 1.00 ct VVS 1 diamond with a G to H color grade will cost 15%–20% more than a similar VS 1 or VS 2 diamond.
If you were to purchase a diamond of this quality, the price difference would be significant, so it would be helpful to understand the two clarity grades and the factors that determine the clarity difference between a VVS diamond and a VS diamond.
Can you tell the difference between these two 1.00 ct., G color, Excellent cut round brilliant diamonds? The VVS 1 clarity diamond on the left is 15% more expensive than the VS 2 diamond on the right .
Diamond Clarity: Blemishes and Inclusions
Diamond clarity refers to the internal and external characteristics of a diamond that develop during its formation, cutting, polishing and everyday wear. Some people mistakenly refer to these characteristics as “marks” or “blemishes.” The correct term is “clarity characteristics,” and they make each diamond unique.
There are two types of clarity characteristics: blemishes and inclusions. Blemishes are external features that are limited to the surface of the diamond. Examples include extra facets, naturals (remnants of the original crystal surface), polish lines, and wear marks on facet joins.
Inclusions are internal features that may be completely enclosed in the diamond or extend from the surface into the diamond. Common inclusions are feathers, crystals, pinpoints, clouds (large numbers of pinpoints), internal graining, needles, or concave naturals (naturals that extend below the surface of the diamond). For photos and detailed descriptions of these and other clarity characteristics, read our Blemish and Inclusions blog.
Blemishes generally only affect the first two clarity grades (Flawless or Internally Flawless), while inclusions affect all clarity grades. For VVS and VS diamonds, we focus on inclusions.
Pinpoints are very small crystalline inclusions in diamond that appear as a dot when viewed under 10x magnification. This diamond contains several pinpoints with a larger included crystal above them.
The cloud is made up of a large number of pinpoints that are too small to be individually distinguished, but give the overall cloudy appearance.
Diamonds with few or no clarity characteristics are extremely rare. Therefore, all other things being equal, diamonds with fewer (smaller, less noticeable) inclusions are generally more expensive than diamonds with more (larger, more noticeable) inclusions. Therefore, all other things being equal, VVS diamonds are more expensive than VS diamonds.
However, clarity grades are more than just a few letters and numbers. To understand the difference between VVS and VS grades, let’s take a look at how GIA grades diamonds and what diamond characteristics the different categories represent.
How GIA Determines Diamond Clarity Grades
In the GIA clarity grading system, 10x is the standard magnification used to determine a diamond’s clarity grade. Although GIA diamond graders use their expertise and microscopes of increased magnification to examine diamonds, their grading is based on what they see with a standard 10x jeweler’s loupe.
When determining clarity grades, graders consider five factors:
- Size: When all other factors are equal, the larger the inclusion or blemish relative to the diamond’s size (and therefore the more noticeable it is), the lower the diamond’s clarity grade.
- Quantity: When all other factors are equal, the more inclusions or blemishes visible face-up at 10x magnification, the greater their effect on the clarity grade.
- Position: This refers to the location of an inclusion or blemish. The closer the inclusion is to the center of the table, the greater its impact on the clarity grade.
- Prominence: This refers to the contrast between an inclusion or surface feature and the diamond. Generally speaking, the greater the difference in lightness or color between the clarity feature and the diamond, the more obvious it is and the greater its impact on the clarity grade.
- Essential: Here the grader looks at the type of feature and its inherent effect on the diamond’s appearance. In other words, some inclusions or blemishes have a greater impact on the clarity grade than others.
Once a GIA grader has identified all of a diamond’s clarity characteristics and considered the five factors listed above, the diamond’s clarity is graded according to the following criteria:
| Clarity Grade | Visibility under 10x magnification |
| Flawless(FL): | The diamond has no inclusions or blemishes when viewed under 10x magnification. |
| Internally Flawless (IF): | No visible inclusions and only minor visible surface features under 10x magnification |
| Very Slightly Included (VVS 1 and VVS 2 ) | Very small inclusions, very difficult to see (VVS 1 ) or very difficult to see (VVS 2 ) under 10x magnification |
| Slightly Included (VS 1 and VS 2 ) | At 10x magnification, there are minor inclusions ranging from difficult (VS 1 ) to easier (VS 2 ) to see. |
| Slightly Included (SI 1 and SI 2 ) | Inclusions that are easy (SI 1 ) or very easy (SI 2 ) to see under 10x magnification , but are not usually visible to the naked eye |
| Inclusion (I 1 , I 2 and I 3 ) | Inclusions are obvious when viewed under 10x magnification and are usually visible to the naked eye. |
A pair of pear-shaped side stones and a center stone: Two colorless pear-shaped diamonds are set off by a 1.54 ct Fancy Intense yellow diamond in this platinum engagement ring. All three diamonds are VVS 2 clarity .
What is a VVS Diamond?
As shown in the clarity grade chart above, VVS diamonds contain very small inclusions that range from very difficult (VVS 1 ) to quite difficult (VVS 2 ) to see under 10x magnification. Typical inclusions that determine the VVS grade include:
- Pinpoints, needles, internal graining or clouds that are visible only through the pavilion (the portion of the polished gem below the girdle) or are extremely difficult to see face-up when viewed under 10x magnification (VVS 1 )
- Pinpoints, needles, internal twinning or cloud-like structures that are difficult to see from the front under 10x magnification (VVS 2 )
- Minor inclusions extending to the surface (nicks, holes, feathers, strikes, whiskers, concave naturals, etc.)
If a diamond has inclusions that are visible to the naked eye, it will not be assigned a clarity grade of VVS 1 or VVS 2 .
Internal graining is an inclusion formed by irregularities in crystal growth that can appear as streaks, angles or curves. For this diamond, the nature of the inclusion and its location on the bottom of the diamond earns it a clarity grade of VVS 1. If the same inclusion were located below the table of the diamond, the diamond would likely receive a lower clarity grade.
This diamond has a clarity grade of VVS 2. The tiny feather in the red box is difficult to see face-up under 10x magnification. A feather is a break along one of the four octahedral planes of a diamond and can appear white or transparent. In this case, the feather was hidden by the prongs when the diamond was set.
What is VS Diamond?
VS diamonds contain very small inclusions that range from difficult (VS 1 ) to easy (VS 2 ) to see under 10x magnification . Many different types of inclusions are possible, but they must be very small relative to the size of the diamond. Typical inclusions that determine this clarity grade are parts of crystals, crystal knots or obvious clouds, or small features that extend to the surface, such as feathers, cavities or concave naturals. In rare cases, large VS diamonds may contain inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
When you gaze into an emerald-cut diamond, it’s like gazing into a clear, frozen pond. That’s why the emerald cut works well with high-clarity gemstones—like this VS 1 clarity, F color, 5.48 ct center stone in this platinum ring, with two shield-cut side stones and a halo of colorless diamonds.
This diamond has a clarity grade of VS 1. The small feather crack in the red box is difficult to see face-on under 10x magnification. However, unlike the VVS 2 diamond shown above, it is located below the table of the diamond and cannot be concealed by the mounting.
This diamond has a clarity grade of VS 2. The feather near the table in the red box is easily visible when the diamond is viewed under a 10x magnifier.
So, should you choose VVS diamonds or VS diamonds?
Now that you know the technical differences between VVS and VS clarity diamonds, you might be asking yourself: Is it worth spending more for a diamond with higher clarity? On the one hand, in almost all cases, inclusions in diamonds with lower clarity (VS) are not visible to the naked eye. On the other hand, higher clarity (VVS) means the diamond is closer to perfection and is also more rare.
Some may decide based on the cut and shape of the diamond. Diamonds with high clarity grades lend themselves well to step cuts, such as the emerald cut, which creates larger rectangular facets, as well as partial brilliant cuts, such as heart and marquise shapes. For others, the decision is purely symbolic. A high clarity diamond can represent the preciousness and purity of a great love.
However, choosing the best diamond for you means you need to make choices between clarity, cut, color, and carat weight . While clarity is important, a diamond with high clarity is not necessarily beautiful. If budget is a concern (which is the case for most engagement ring buyers), the money you save on buying a VS clarity diamond can allow you to purchase a larger diamond with better color or cut.
A GIA diamond grading report gives you the information you need to make your diamond purchase with confidence.
Get a GIA diamond grading report for an accurate and unbiased clarity grade
Whichever clarity grade you choose, you’ll want to confirm that the diamond has been graded by GIA. This ensures that its clarity rating (as well as its color, cut, and carat weight) is accurate and objective, and fully complies with the grading standards established by GIA.
Small crystals under the table of this diamond give it a clarity grade of VS 1. Illustration: GIA
This VS 2 diamond clarity chart shows the inclusions that determine clarity grade, including some crystals under the table and a hole in the pavilion. Illustration: GIA
The GIA Diamond Grading Report includes not only the diamond’s clarity grade, but also a plotted diagram. This diagram shows the inclusions and/or blemishes observed on the table and pavilion of the diamond under 10x magnification and shows their approximate shape and location on the diamond. This diagram is used to record the condition of the diamond when it was graded and to support the diamond’s clarity grade. It can also be used to identify diamonds, as no two diamonds have exactly the same plotted diagram (unless both are Flawless).
Choosing an engagement ring often means a million small decisions. There’s so much emotion and symbolism (and financial considerations) that go into a small engagement ring. But in the end, the decision is yours. And remember: When it comes to giving the gift of love, there’s no “wrong” choice.
