VVS Diamonds: What the Grade Really Means and When It’s Worth Paying For
VVS diamonds are diamonds that have almost no visible flaws. In fact, their tiny imperfections are so hard to find that even experts need a special 10× magnifying glass to see them. This guide will help you understand what VVS means, the difference between VVS1 and VVS2, how diamond clarity affects the price of natural and lab-grown diamonds, and whether spending extra on a VVS diamond is actually worth it.
What Are VVS Diamonds?
VVS stands for “Very, Very Slightly Included.” It means the diamond has tiny imperfections that are extremely difficult to see, even under a special magnifying glass. There are two VVS grades:
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VVS1: Higher grade, with fewer or harder-to-find imperfections.
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VVS2: Slightly lower grade, with imperfections that are a little easier to find.
These imperfections are natural features inside the diamond, such as tiny crystals or small cracks. They are what make each diamond unique. The GIA diamond clarity scale has 11 grades, starting from the clearest:
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FL - IF - VVS1 - VVS2 - VS1 - VS2 - SI1 - SI2 - I1 - I2 - I3
VVS diamonds are just below the top two grades:
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Flawless (FL): No imperfections inside or on the surface, even under 10× magnification.
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Internally Flawless (IF): No imperfections inside, but may have tiny marks on the surface.
VVS1 vs VVS2: What’s the Difference?
Both VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds have very tiny imperfections. What differs between them is how difficult it is for an expert to find those imperfections using a 10× magnifying glass.
|
VVS1 |
VVS2 |
|
|
Clarity |
Extremely difficult to find imperfections |
Very difficult to find imperfections |
|
Imperfections |
Usually harder to spot |
Slightly easier to spot |
|
Naked eye |
Not visible |
Not visible |
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In a VVS1 Diamond: Imperfections are usually found in the lower part of the diamond.
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In a VVS2 Diamond: Imperfections are usually a little easier to spot, sometimes in the upper part.
VVS vs VS and Lower Clarity Grades
You don't need to buy a VVS diamond to get a diamond that looks clean. Even diamonds with lower clarity grades can look just as good to the naked eye. Here's how the other diamond clarity grades compare:
|
Grade |
Under 10× magnification |
Visible to the naked eye? |
|
VS1 |
Difficult to find imperfections |
Almost always invisible |
|
VS2 |
Easier to find imperfections |
Almost always invisible |
|
SI1 |
Easy to find imperfections |
Usually not visible |
|
SI2 |
Very easy to find imperfections |
Usually not visible |
|
I1–I3 |
Imperfections are obvious |
Often visible |
What does this mean?
The difference between VVS and VS diamonds is only noticeable under magnification. VS diamonds have slightly more noticeable imperfections than VVS diamonds, but you usually won't see any difference when looking at them normally.
Things change when you get to SI1 and SI2. Some imperfections may become visible, depending on their size and location. I1, I2, and I3 diamonds have more obvious imperfections, which can often be seen without a magnifying glass.
How Much Do VVS Diamonds Cost?
A diamond's price depends on four main things, known as the 4Cs:
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Carat: How big or heavy the diamond is.
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Color: How colorless or yellow the diamond looks.
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Cut: How well the diamond reflects light and sparkles.
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Clarity: How many imperfections it has.
Whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown also makes a big difference to its price.
How much does VVS clarity cost?
To understand the price difference between clarity grades, let's compare diamonds with the same features:
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1-carat weight
-
Round shape
-
G color
-
Excellent cut
The only thing changing is the clarity grade. The following prices are based on diamonds listed on Rare Carat in August 2026. This comparison will help show how much extra you pay for VVS clarity compared to lower grades.
|
Clarity |
Natural |
Lab-grown |
Lab-grown saving |
|
IF |
$4,800 |
$850 |
82% |
|
VVS1 |
$4,050 |
$755 |
81% |
|
VVS2 |
$3,055 |
$665 |
78% |
|
VS1 |
$2,435 |
$570 |
77% |
|
VS2 |
$2,000 |
$500 |
75% |
|
SI1 |
$1,650 |
$430 |
74% |
|
SI2 |
$1,350 |
$370 |
73% |
Lab-Grown VVS Diamonds
A lab-grown VVS diamond is a real diamond. It has the same properties as a natural diamond and follows the same clarity grading scale. Our guide to how lab-grown diamonds are made explains more about the process.
The main difference is what the VVS grade means. A VVS grade tells you that the diamond has very few imperfections, but it doesn't mean the diamond is rare. Natural VVS diamonds are much rarer than lab-grown VVS diamonds. This is why the price difference between clarity grades is usually much smaller for lab-grown diamonds.
Is a VVS Diamond Worth It?
A VS diamond can look just as beautiful as a VVS diamond while costing less. However, VVS can still be worth buying depending on the diamond's shape, size, and your budget.
By shape and size
Some diamond shapes look better with higher clarity grades. For example, emerald, heart, and marquise-shaped diamonds can show imperfections more easily because of their larger, open facets. This is why choosing a VVS or VS1 diamond can be a good idea for these shapes. Round diamonds make tiny imperfections harder to notice.
The size of the diamond also matters. Larger diamonds can make imperfections easier to spot. So, if you're buying a large diamond, choosing VVS or a carefully selected VS1 is a sensible option. For smaller round diamonds, paying extra for VVS may not be necessary.
By budget
Choosing a VS diamond instead of VVS can save you money. You can use those savings to buy a bigger diamond, a better color grade, or a better cut.
For lab-grown diamonds, the price difference between VVS and VS is usually much smaller. So, if you prefer owning a VVS diamond, paying a little extra may be worth it to you.
Some buyers simply prefer VVS because it is closer to a perfect diamond. That's completely fine, as long as you understand that it may not look any different from a VS diamond.
Do VVS diamonds hold their value?
Diamonds usually sell for less than their original buying price when you resell them. Having a higher clarity grade like VVS doesn't mean you'll get more money back. Lab-grown diamonds generally lose even more of their value when resold because they are cheaper to buy in the first place. So, don't buy a diamond expecting to make money from it later. Buy it because you love it and plan to keep it.
How to Buy a VVS Diamond and Check the Grade
A seller simply calling a diamond “VVS” doesn't mean you should trust the claim immediately. Before buying, check these five things to make sure you're getting what you pay for:
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Check the diamond certificate: Make sure the diamond is certified by a trusted lab like GIA or IGI.
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Check the cut grade first: The cut affects how much a diamond sparkles. Even a VVS diamond won't look its best if it has a poor cut.
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Look at the clarity plot: A clarity plot is a diagram on the diamond report that shows where the tiny imperfections are located. Imperfections near the centre of the diamond are usually more noticeable than those near the edges. Some imperfections near the edges may even be hidden by the metal holding the diamond in place. You can check GIA's guide to reading a clarity plot to understand it better.
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Ask for close-up photos or videos: If the seller provides magnified images or videos of the actual diamond, take a look. The certificate tells you about its imperfections, while the photos and videos help you see them.
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Compare VVS and VS diamonds: Look at two diamonds with the same shape, size, color, and cut, but different clarity grades. Compare their prices to see how much extra you're paying for VVS.
What “VVS” Means in Jewelry Slang and on Moissanite
If you're shopping for iced-out chains or pendants, you'll often see the term “VVS” used differently. Some sellers use VVS as a way to describe jewellery as high quality. They may even use the term for moissanite, which is a different gemstone from a real diamond.
However, VVS is an official diamond clarity grade, not a moissanite grade. GIA's clarity scale is designed for diamonds. So, if a seller advertises moissanite jewellery as VVS, ask them what they mean by it and whether they have any certificate to prove the quality.
