Diamonds have their own ranking scale, which is split into several different categories, from colour to clarity. A VVS diamond is one of the many diamonds on this scale.

So what is a VVS diamond?  ‘VVS’ stands for ‘very very slightly included’. It’s one of the highest ratings that a diamond can have on the GIA clarity scale. VVS diamonds rank higher on this scale and therefore have a higher clarity than VS (very slightly included), SI (slightly included), and I (included). Above VVS diamonds are IF (internally flawless) and FL (flawless). VVS diamonds have very tiny inclusions like pinpoints, clouds, internal graining or feathers, which are small cracks in the diamond- but all of these inclusions are internal and don’t have any effect to the outside of the stone.

VVS1 or VVS2 diamonds- VVS diamonds can be broken down further to specifically define the clarity. A VVS1 diamond usually has inclusions on the bottom of the diamond, and VVS2 diamond has inclusions on the top surface. On both of these grades, the inclusions are incredibly difficult to see even under 10x magnification, meaning that with VVS diamonds you are unable to see any of the imperfections or blemishes with the naked eye. Even a graded trainer might struggle to find the imperfections using the correct tools and lighting, making these diamonds flawless to the human eye.

Which should I choose? VVS1 diamonds rank just above VVS2 diamonds on the GIA clarity scale. This is simply down to the inclusions and imperfections are on the underside of the diamond which means once the diamond is set in a ring they won’t be visible. A VVS1 diamond is the closest thing to a flawless diamond, which is incredibly rare and incredibly expensive.  VVS2 diamonds are very close to flawless too, but a VVS1 diamond ranks just above it on the clarity scale as the imperfections to the top of a VVS2 diamond could potentially still be identified with the right tools when setting into a ring.

Things to consider when you’re buying a VVS diamond- When it comes to clarity, you should keep in mind that whilst you’re purchasing a diamond that is labelled as nearly flawless, some VS (very slightly included) diamonds will look the same to the naked eye as the VVS diamond. The most noticeable difference between these two diamonds will be the price; depending on the cut and set that you desire, a VVS diamond and a VS diamond could look almost the same. It’s also worth considering that the same applies between VVS diamonds and true flawless diamonds. Choosing a VVS diamond will be much less expensive than a fully flawless diamond as they’re so rare, but will often look flawless to the naked eye.

Overall, there are lots of things to consider when it comes to picking The best VVS diamonds. Picking a diamond that is completely flawless will come with an immense price tag due to how rare they are, so it’s worth considering the VVS or VS diamonds which can look just as perfect for a much lower price.