Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth: brilliant, transparent crystals that are nearly perfect. So close to perfection that the small imperfections that characterize them are often so small that they are only visible under magnification.
Under magnification, each diamond reveals a unique interior landscape with tiny features such as crystals and feathers that act as an individual fingerprint.
Diamonds that are flawless when examiners examine them under 10x magnification, the top end of the clarity scale, are so valuable and rare that many jewelers may never have seen one.
Very very slightly included (grade Flawless) diamonds, where only a few minor features are visible under magnification, are also rare. That's why there are so many grades of clarity for diamonds: these near-perfect gems are also valuable.
The Gemological Institute of America has six major diamond clarity grades, with eleven levels ranging from flawless to very, very slightly included, very slightly included, slightly included, and included.
At the higher end of the scale, the differences are very subtle. Diamond scientists look not only at the number and size of inclusions, but also at their location.
Diamond clarity is assessed under standard viewing conditions at 10x magnification. The examiner carefully examines the diamond to determine its internal clarity and surface characteristics. At least two examiners give their impression of the diamond's clarity.
Small crystals and other structures that were included when the diamond was formed are called inclusions. Surface features on the outside of the gemstone are called blemishes.
Evaluating a diamond's clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, type and location of these features and their effect on the stone's overall appearance. Although no diamond is perfectly clean, the closer you get to it, the greater its value.
Diamonds with no visible internal inclusions are flawless from the inside out at 10x magnification. Diamonds where a small inclusion is visible at 10x magnification are classified as very very slightly included or VVS1 diamonds.
Diamonds graded VVS1 have one or two small inclusions that are extremely difficult to very difficult to see for an experienced appraiser at 10x magnification.
The inclusions in a VVS1 diamond are likely to be point, cloud or needle shaped. They are generally small and placed in a non-visible location outside the diamond table where they are hidden by the glare. They may only be visible when looking at the diamond from the side or from below.
You will see almost nothing on the clarity characteristics chart in the report of a VVS1 diamond. Here is an example. Do you see the small spring near the ribbon at 14?
If you were to give a diamond dealer a VVS1 clarity diamond, it would probably take a few minutes with a 10x loupe for the professional to find the point of imperfection that represents the "very, very small inclusion." If you don't use a magnifying glass every day, chances are you'll never find it. It takes practice and experience to find the tiny specks in a diamond's sparkling brilliance.
It is impossible to see the small inclusions in a VVS1 diamond with the naked eye. And you certainly won't see them if your VVS1 diamond is set in an engagement ring.
The dust that naturally collects on a diamond when worn is much more visible than the kind of small inclusions that result in a VVS1 clarity grade.
Is it worth paying the premium for a VVS1 diamond? We don't think it's worth investing in details that don't spoil the beauty of your diamond while compromising other factors like cut quality or carat weight. Buying a lower quality diamond that still has no visible inclusions leaves more money in your budget to buy a larger, better cut diamond.
WHAT ROSI RECOMMENDS
Do you have to pay extra for VVS1 diamonds? ROSI does not believe that the minor external differences between the upper levels of the GIA Clarity Scale are worth the investment. ROSI recommends buying diamonds with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. Generally, these diamonds have a clarity grade of VS2 and above. Since the visibility of inclusions in diamonds of any clarity depends on the size and cut of the diamond, as well as the size and location of the inclusions, there is no simple rule that applies to all diamonds. ROSI automatically takes these factors into account when looking for a diamond with the best possible combination of quality and value.
Why is it that ROSI knows diamonds so well? We have trained them with dozens of professional diamond buyers. We asked them which of the thousands of diamonds they would buy for themselves or their daughters. ROSI calculated how they balanced more than 30 individual quality factors and applied these insights to scour all grading reports of all diamonds available on the market to select the best combination of quality and value. At ROSI, you will always find the brilliant needle in the haystack.
LET ROSI FIND YOU A DIAMOND >
FAQs
What is a VVS1 clarity diamond? | Rock Her? ›
Diamonds that have a minor
At the top of the scale, though not quite the very top, are VVS1 (very very slightly included) diamonds. These are considered to have excellent clarity, and carry a price tag that matches their rarity. When it comes to buying a diamond, cut is probably the most important of the four Cs.
What is the difference between F and H diamonds? ›The difference in color is tiny, but the difference in price is huge as you move up and down the color grading. D, E, and F diamonds are essentially colorless, and because of their rarity, they're priced at a premium. H diamonds look practically colorless, but the drop in price is significant.
Is VVS1 good or bad? ›VVS1 diamonds are extremely clean and they are as close to perfect as you can get. In order for a diamond to be graded as a VVS1, the diamond can only have minute inclusions which are very difficult for a skilled gemologist to see under 10X magnification.
What is the feather inclusion in VVS1 diamond? ›A VVS1 rating indicates that the feather is at the lower end of the diamond. If the feathers are gathered at the diamond's upper portion, the stone falls into the VVS2 group. Regardless of their placement, feather inclusions in VVS gems remain unnoticeably.
How much is a VVS1 worth? ›The VVS1 diamond price ranges from $1,136 for a well-cut 0.50 Carat diamond like this one from Blue Nile to $17,132 for a 1.9 carat diamond and higher. Like any diamond, the price of a VVS diamond depends on the cut, color, shape and carat weight. The “VVS1” designation just refers to the clarity grade.
How much is a VVS1 diamond per carat? ›The VVS1 diamond price ranges from $1,000 for a 0.50 Carat diamond to $18,000 for a 1.9-carat diamond. The price of any diamond, including that of a VVS diamond, depends on the cut, color, shape, and carat weight.
What diamond clarity is best? ›The best diamond clarity rating is Flawless (FL). These are the rarest diamonds in the world; less than 0.05% of all diamonds are Flawless or Internally Flawless.
Which is better VS1 or VVS1? ›GIA Clarity Scale (Best to Worst):
Internally Flawless (IF) Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1) Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2) Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)
VVS1 and VVS2 both have excellent clarity, and you won't really be able to tell the difference when you look at the two. In a VVS1 diamond, the inclusions are so tiny you can't even see them at 10x magnification. In a VVS2 the inclusions are still very tiny, but you can begin to see them at that magnification.
Which is better H or J diamond? ›
If you're buying a diamond under 1 carat, you might consider choosing an I, J, or K color diamond. Going over 1 carat? We recommend H color-grade diamonds or higher. This is because the larger a diamond is, the more likely it is to show any color.
Is G or H diamond better? ›H vs G Color Diamond
For most diamond shapes, h color is a great stone to go for. It is versatile and luxuriant. Since both G & H diamonds fall in the same near colorless category, with G being the higher quality choice.
H color diamonds are considered near-colorless, and thus a very good place to look when you're shopping for a diamond. They're likely to appear “white” or colorless to the naked eye, yet are much better value than higher-graded diamonds.
Which is better VVS or VVS1? ›So, to simplify, VVS1 is the highest quality of VVS diamonds and VS clarity diamonds. In fact, the only diamonds that would even rank superior are the ones without any inclusions at all (aka flawless and internally flawless)… and there are not that many perfect gems just floating around in the world!
Do VVS diamonds sparkle? ›So, yes, VVS diamonds do sparkle more than highly included diamonds. Still, any difference between a VVS diamond and, say, a VS diamond will not be visible to the naked eye.
Are diamonds worth more now than 20 years ago? ›Yes, the average diamond price has increased from 1960 to today. However, there's also been cumulative inflation of more than 700% over the same time period, meaning that the true appreciation in value of a diamond is very small.
Is VS2 better than VVS1? ›Quality. A VS1 diamond has no visible inclusions and under 10x magnification, the inclusions are almost unidentifiable. These diamonds make up the top 5 percent of all gem-quality stones. VS2 diamonds will only have eye-visible inclusions 5 percent or less of the time, which are more common in stones over 1 carat.
Which diamond clarity is the most expensive? ›Flawless diamonds are by far the most expensive because of their rarity. However, you can get the look of a flawless diamond for much less if you just go a tad lower on the clarity scale. For example, VS1 and VS2 diamonds have inclusions, but they cannot be seen by the naked eye.
What is the difference between flawless and VVS1? ›So, the difference between VVS-1 and Internally Flawless is the visibility of the inclusions. The important thing to realize is that the difference between a diamond which is Internally Flawless and VVS-1 in clarity, will only be visible while examining the diamond using 10x magnification.
Which carat diamond is more expensive? ›The most expensive diamond in the world is the Kohinoor. The unique 105.6-carat colorless diamond is said to be priceless.
What is the lowest quality diamond? ›
I3 diamond clarity represents the lowest diamond clarity grade available.
What's the highest grade of diamond? ›Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don't have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader. As clarity increases, and if all other value factors are equal, diamond price per carat also increases.
What clarity should an engagement ring be? ›In terms of clarity, the most popular range for a diamond engagement ring is the VS1-VS2 diamond. Color is also a factor to consider when thinking about clarity. For example, it will be much easier to spot imperfections in a very clear white diamond than in a yellow diamond.
Is an F color diamond good? ›The F color grade is a great choice. This is the lowest of the three colorless diamond grades, which makes it the most economical way to enjoy that sparkly, icy look. F-grade stones account for 20 percent of diamonds sold at Blue Nile.
Is color or clarity more important? ›Clarity is more important in shapes like emerald, princess, and asscher. Colour is important for cushion, radiant, pear and oval. Generally speaking, as long as you choose an eye-clean diamond, your diamond will still look beautiful in terms of clarity.
Is an E color diamond good? ›Is E a good diamond color grade? E is the second-best color grade you can get in diamonds. Considered to be colorless, this diamond offers an icy look.
Which is better VVS1 or VS1? ›GIA Clarity Scale (Best to Worst):
Internally Flawless (IF) Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1) Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2) Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)
The VVS grade is divided into two levels: VVS1 and VVS2, with VVS1 being the higher grade. VVS diamonds have such slight imperfections. Even with a jeweler's loupe, trained professionals are unable to see the blemishes easily. This means that VVS diamonds are always eye-clean.
What is the best grade of diamond? ›Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don't have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader. As clarity increases, and if all other value factors are equal, diamond price per carat also increases.
What type of diamond clarity is best? ›What is the best diamond clarity? The best diamond clarity rating is Flawless (FL). These are the rarest diamonds in the world; less than 0.05% of all diamonds are Flawless or Internally Flawless.
What is the best diamond clarity? ›
The best diamond clarity grade is FL, flawless.
What is the most expensive diamond? ›The most valuable diamond in the world is Koh-i-Noor, also spelled Koh-i-Nur and Kohinoor. The diamond is also called the Mountain of Light diamond, and it's known as one of the largest cut diamonds, weighing a whopping 105.6 carats. Koh-i-Noor is a colorless diamond and features an oval brilliant cut.
What's more expensive VVS or VS1? ›Both a VVS diamond and a VS diamond will have clarity features that in almost all cases cannot be seen with the naked eye. Yet, price differences between these two diamonds can be as high as 30%.
Do VVS diamonds shine more? ›So, yes, VVS diamonds do sparkle more than highly included diamonds. Still, any difference between a VVS diamond and, say, a VS diamond will not be visible to the naked eye.
Is it worth buying VVS diamonds? ›While VVS diamonds are rare compared to lower clarity grades, they're still, ultimately, not a good investment. Diamond resale prices are low, and you're unlikely to sell any white diamond for more than its sticker price. Although certain fancy colors may have investment value, this isn't due to clarity.
Do VVS diamonds shine in the dark? ›No. VVS is a measure of clarity, not sparkle. The diamond's cut determines how it sparkles. While inclusions can impact sparkle if they obstruct the light, this really only occurs in very low clarity diamonds with very large inclusions.
Is VVS2 good or bad? ›What is VVS2 Diamond Clarity? The term VVS stands for Very Very Slightly Included and the VVS2 grade is a very high clarity rating where the diamonds are “almost perfect”. At this grading, inclusions are so insignificant that it is difficult even for a trained gemologist to detect them under 10X magnification.