VVS Diamond: The Complete Very Very Slightly Included Guide

What Is a VVS Diamond?

VVS stands for Very Very Slightly Included — the third-highest clarity grade on the GIA diamond clarity scale, just below Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF). VVS diamonds contain inclusions so minute that they are extremely difficult for even a skilled gemologist to detect under 10x magnification. To the naked eye, VVS diamonds are completely flawless in appearance.

The VVS grade is divided into two sub-grades: VVS1 and VVS2. VVS1 inclusions are harder to detect than VVS2 — typically located in the pavilion (bottom) of the diamond where they're most difficult to see, even under magnification.

What Inclusions Are Found in VVS Diamonds?

VVS inclusions are among the smallest and least significant possible. Common inclusion types at this grade include:

• Pinpoints: Microscopic crystals or dots, often requiring significant effort to locate even under 10x magnification
• Needles: Tiny elongated crystals, extremely thin and difficult to see
• Internal graining: Faint lines or planes within the crystal structure, often invisible without specific lighting angles
• Minor feathers: Extremely small fractures, typically so minor they pose no structural concern

In VVS1, these characteristics are typically found in the pavilion or lower crown — the hardest areas to examine. In VVS2, they may be slightly more centrally located but remain extremely difficult to detect.

VVS1 vs VVS2: What's the Difference?

• VVS1: Inclusions are extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification even for a trained grader. Typically located in the pavilion. Slightly more expensive than VVS2.
• VVS2: Inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification. May be located in the crown area but remain microscopic. Offers slightly better value than VVS1 with no practical visual difference.

For most buyers, VVS2 offers the better value proposition — the visual difference from VVS1 is imperceptible, and the price difference can be meaningful.

Are VVS Diamonds Eye-Clean?

Yes — completely and unequivocally. VVS inclusions are invisible to the naked eye at any normal viewing distance. A VVS diamond will appear absolutely flawless when worn, photographed, or viewed without magnification. There is no practical scenario in which a VVS inclusion would be visible to an observer.

VVS vs. VS: The Value Comparison

This is the most important comparison for most buyers considering VVS clarity:

• VVS1: Extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification. Completely eye-clean.
• VS1: Difficult to see under 10x magnification. Completely eye-clean.
• Visual difference to the naked eye: None whatsoever.
• Price difference: VVS1 typically costs 15–25% more than VS1 of equivalent cut, color, and carat weight.

For buyers prioritizing visible beauty, VS1 or VS2 delivers identical real-world results at a lower price. The VVS premium buys you a higher grade on paper and the knowledge that your diamond is exceptionally pure — but not a more beautiful diamond to the naked eye.

When VVS Clarity Makes Sense

• Step-cut diamonds (emerald, Asscher): These shapes have large, open facets that make inclusions more visible. VVS clarity provides meaningful assurance of eye-cleanliness in these shapes.
• Large carat weights (2ct+): At larger sizes, inclusions become slightly more visible. VVS provides a comfortable margin of safety.
• High-color diamonds (D–F): Very high color grades are often paired with VVS clarity for a complete "top of scale" stone — a combination that holds value well.
• Investment and collection: VVS diamonds are desirable in the secondary market and pair well with high color for investment-grade stones.
• Personal preference for near-perfection: Some buyers simply want the highest clarity they can afford. That's a valid reason.

When VS1 or VS2 Is the Smarter Choice

For round brilliant diamonds under 2 carats, VS1 or VS2 is eye-clean and visually equivalent to VVS. The money saved by choosing VS over VVS is better invested in cut quality or carat weight — both of which have visible impact on the diamond's beauty.

The Energetic Purity of VVS

In crystal healing traditions, the clarity of a diamond is understood as a measure of its energetic transparency — how freely it allows light and energy to pass through and be amplified. A VVS diamond, with its near-microscopic inclusions, is a stone of extraordinary energetic purity. The tiny characteristics that remain are so minor as to be energetically insignificant — the stone's capacity to transmit and amplify intention is essentially unimpeded. For practitioners who work with diamond energy, VVS clarity represents a stone operating at very close to its full potential.

Final Thoughts

VVS diamonds are genuinely exceptional — among the clearest diamonds in existence. For step-cut shapes, large carat weights, or buyers who want near-perfection, VVS is an excellent choice. For round brilliants under 2 carats, VS1 or VS2 delivers identical visible results at a lower price. Know what you're paying for, and choose accordingly.