Are VVS Diamonds Real? (Buying Guide)


Are VVS Diamonds real

Lindsey, do you know if VVS diamonds are real or fake? This is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

If you are in the market for a diamond, or even just curious about how diamonds are graded and sold, you have probably heard the debate about what clarity is the best or have even wondered if VVS diamonds are real. 

Many real diamonds are VVS clarity. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be graded VVS. Very, Very Slightly included (VVS) is the clarity grade given to diamonds when inclusions are so small they are difficult to see under 10X magnification. 

Almost all diamonds have inclusions, which is what makes each diamond unique. Read on for everything you need to know about VVS diamonds. 

What are VVS Diamonds?

VVS on the clarity scale means that there are miniscule inclusions in the stone that cannot be seen with the naked eye. In fact, they can only be seen under magnification, and will be difficult to see under 10X magnification.

The clarity grades are as follows:

F–Flawless

IF–Internally Flawless

VVS1–Very, very slightly included

VVS2–-Very, very slightly included; inclusions are easier to see than VVS1

VS1–Very slightly included

VS2–Very slightly included; inclusions are easier to see than VS1

SI1–Slightly Included; inclusions easy to see under 10X magnification, may be visible to the naked eye

SI2–Slightly Included; inclusions easy to see under 10X magnification, likely visible to the naked eye

I-Included. These come in three grades, I1, I2, and I3, and will have inclusions visible to the naked eye.

Generally, loose stones with I grades are not sold for engagement rings by online diamond sellers such as Blue Nile. Smaller, preset stones may be I-grade. 

Read also >> Are VVS Diamonds Lab Created? (Real Diamonds + More)

Read also >> Are VVS Diamonds Expensive? (All You Need To Know)

Are VVS diamonds real?

If your diamond is graded VVS, that is actually a good indicator that it is real. Real stones have inclusions since they are grown underground and are likely to have developed blemishes and inclusions during the many years it takes to form a diamond. 

Imitation diamonds will not have inclusions, which is a good way to tell if a stone is fake. If it is totally clean, even under high magnification, it is possible that it’s a fake. Why? Because totally flawless is quite rare in nature. 

It is possible to buy a flawless or internally flawless diamond that is real (it will be quite expensive!), so looking for flaws isn’t a totally foolproof way to make sure a stone is real.

Though if you don’t spot any flaws in a stone, even under high magnification, you may want to have it checked by a trusted jeweler to see if it is indeed real. 

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Are lab-grown diamonds VVS?

Both lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds can be graded VVS clarity. Some think that because diamonds are grown in a lab they should be flawless and colorless, though at this point in time that isn’t always the case. 

Many lab-grown diamonds have inclusions that form during the growing process, just like natural stones.

It is very difficult to keep the conditions so pristine that no inclusions form, so flawless lab diamonds are rare just like flawless natural stones. 

What’s better VVS or VS diamonds?

Very, very slightly included (VVS) is better than very slightly included (VS). Both of them are probably eye clean, which means you can’t see the inclusions with the naked eye; however, VVS will have fewer inclusions, or they will be much smaller and only visible with greater magnification. 

Are VVS diamonds good?

If you buy this clarity grade, you will be sure that no inclusions will be visible to the naked eye. In fact, inclusions may only be visible to highly-trained professionals, even when using magnification. 

Since VVS diamonds have so few inclusions, they are quite rare. Most diamonds have more inclusions or larger inclusions. 

Are VVS diamonds prettier?

Keep in mind that small inclusions in a diamond don’t affect the sparkle and fire of the diamond. Clarity grades indicate whether you can see spots, dots, or blemishes inside the stone.

For most engagement diamonds sold today, these inclusions will not affect how the stone refracts light or shines and sparkles. 

The cut is the biggest factor when it comes to fire and sparkle, not clarity. 

How much do VVS diamonds cost?

VVS diamonds are beautiful because they have no visible inclusions. For this reason, they cost more than the lower grades of clarity (VS and SI). They cost significantly more than SI grades. 

A 1-carat VVS natural diamond that is also colorless and ideal cut may run from $20,000-$30,000. These are very rare and beautiful stones.

A similar high-quality stone in the VS range will run around $15,000, and in the SI range will be less than $10,000. You can see the difference in price a VVS clarity grade makes versus lower clarity grades. 

However, if you are in the market for a natural diamond but don’t want to shell out 5-figures, round 1-carat VVS stones in the near-colorless range and with good to very good cuts will run from $4000-$10,000. 

If you really want to save money but still buy a beautiful, eye-clean VVS stone, you can get a 1-carat round colorless ideal-cut lab stone for around $5,000. 

Read also >> How Much Is a 1 Carat Uncut Diamond Worth?    

Is a VVS diamond rare?

Yes. While they aren’t as rare as flawless or internally flawless stones, VVS diamonds are some of the most rare. 

This is due to the fact that their inclusions are so small, or that there are so few of them. None of them will be visible to the naked eye. 

Diamonds are much more commonly found with visible inclusions, making them SI or I clarity. 

Should I buy a VVS diamond?

If you are a very budget-conscious consumer, VVS is probably not the way to go. Yes, they will be assured to be eye-clean, so you (or anyone else) will never see any inclusions when gazing at your beautiful new ring.

However, in many cases, it’s better to compromise on clarity so you can buy a better cut or bigger stone. 

You can most often get an eye-clean diamond in the VS range as well. These diamonds will have inclusions, but they will be so faint they can only be seen with 10X magnification.

Unless you are planning to look at your stone under a microscope frequently, you won’t even notice the inclusions are there. 

VS1 and 2 are very common clarity grades for engagement stones since they don’t have visible inclusions but are cheaper than VVS and flawless stones.

Keep in mind you may be able to see more inclusions in an emerald or Asscher cut than in a sparkly cut like a round or princess. 

The absolute best way to save money is to go with an SI-grade stone. These stones may have small inclusions visible to the naked eye, though the untrained eye may have a very difficult time spotting them. Make sure you have a jeweler show you where the inclusions are.

You don’t want to notice the inclusions later and not be able to “unsee” them. 

If you are buying from an online retailer, make sure you contact them and have the staff review where the inclusions are and how big they are–that way you won’t be surprised when you get your stone. 

Are diamond inclusions bad?

Buying an SI grade diamond is a great way to save money on a stone because the market has determined that flawless diamonds are the most valuable. They are certainly the most rare. 

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and inclusions may not bother you or your sweetie at all. After all, inclusions are what make your stone unique (and may even be evidence it is real). 

The most important thing is to see the stone before you buy. Online sellers have high-definition 3-D imaging that will show you the most visible inclusions. Many of them might look really obvious in the extreme close-up of these images, but on your finger or in a setting no one may ever notice. 

Buying a stone with a few inclusions may mean that you can use your budget to buy a nicer cut or color. 

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Conclusion

VVS diamonds are real (they may be natural or lab-grown) and in some cases having a few inclusions may actually be evidence that your diamond is real.

VVS stones are beautiful and will never have visible inclusions, though they carry a higher price tag than slightly more included stones that may look the same to the naked eye. 

References

https://www.jamesallen.com/education/diamond/4cs-clarity/

Lindsey

Lindsey graduated with an MBA in 2009. Since then, Lindsey has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Lindsey is also the head writer and Co-founder of Rvandplaya.com. Lindsey is based in Morgantown, West Virginia.

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