A cliche as it may sound, diamonds remain a girl’s best friend, and they’re not labeled as such for nothing. A diamond is a valuable purchase, and for the longest time, it has been pursued for personal collection, engagement rings, and other jewelry settings. However, diamonds vary in so many facets, including clarity grade. So, to help you get a firm grasp of some relevant diamond facts and information, we have personally curated this VVS diamond clarity buying guide for you.
VVS Diamond Clarity Buying Guide
Diamonds come in various cuts, clarity grades, colors, and carat weight. There are a good amount of points to consider and things to remember when talking about diamonds, and these include clarity grade. Clarity grades vary from one diamond to another, and these grades are abbreviated as I, SI, VS, VVS, IF, and FL. These terms sound vague to anyone who isn’t well-versed in the shining, shimmering world of diamonds. Hence, we will be clearing the air regarding VVS diamonds and everything you should know before purchasing one. And this VVS diamond clarity buying guide comes in handy!
So, hurry and hop on if you’re in for a sparkling read.
What Does VVS Mean?
VVS is a measure of diamond clarity, and it means Very Very Slightly Included. This measure of clarity grades a diamond’s visual appearance and the number of present flaws or blemishes. If a diamond is VVS graded, it means that it only has super slight inclusions or blemishes. These inclusions are difficult to notice with the naked eye, even under 10x magnification.
There are two categories under the VVS grade—VVS1 and VVS2. The inclusions in VVS2 diamonds are a tad more visible compared to those in of VVS1 diamonds.
What Are VVS Diamonds?
VVS diamonds are those with tiny or slight blemishes that you can only see under extreme magnification. An unaided eye can never find the imperfections of a VVS diamond. Hence, VVS diamonds are known to be eye-clean. Also, EF VVS diamond quality means an eye-clean, colorless diamond. On a diamond clarity chart, 99% of VVS1 and VVS2 of 1-carat, well-cut, round diamonds are eye-clean. Also, they are one step closer to becoming IF or Internally Flawless diamonds—diamonds with zero blemishes at all.
Although, VVS1 is an inch higher in the clarity scale than VVS2, given that the former’s inclusions are harder to spot from a confronting view. You can spot a VVS1 diamond’s inclusions closer to the stone’s edges, while you can spot a VVS’s inclusions toward the middle of the stone. Nonetheless, is diamond clarity VVS good? Overall, yes. A VVS diamond is an excellent precious stone variant.
Is VVS Better Than VS?
Technically speaking, VVS diamonds are better than VS diamonds. After all, VVS diamonds are closer to becoming Internally Flawless diamonds. VS diamonds, on the other hand, contain more inclusions than VVS diamonds, and their inclusions range from challenging (VS1) to spot at 10x magnification to somewhat challenging (VS2). VS diamonds have various blemishes, such as knots, cavities, or distinct clouds.
But, should you choose a VVS diamond or a VS diamond? The inclusions of both diamonds are, again, invisible to the naked eye, so they’re still both visually appealing. The main difference is that VVS diamonds are closer to perfection and much rarer than VS, although, to the untrained eye, there isn’t much of a stark distinction between the two. However, choosing the best diamond for you is a personal call. It is a series of choices among cut, clarity, carat weight, color, and, of course, budget.
Do VVS Diamonds Sparkle More?
Multiple factors affect a diamond’s sparkle or brilliance. Claiming that clarity has a primary effect on the brilliance of a diamond is, to some extent, faulty. In fact, clarity isn’t that important when it comes to sparkle. When talking about sparkle, the most significant element to consider is the cut.
Generally, a diamond with proportional and symmetrical cuts allows for better light performance. This is the reason behind a round cut’s more pronounced sparkle compared to a step cut. However, symmetry plays a huge role too, and imperfections tamper with a diamond’s symmetry. Hence, diamonds with more imperfections sparkle less because they mess with the diamonds’ symmetry. So, technically, a VVS diamond sparkles more, not because of its clarity, but because it has lesser blemishes that meddle with its symmetry.
How Much Is A VVS Diamond Worth?
A VVS1 diamond’s worth varies from a VVS2 diamond. A well-cut 0.5 carat VVS1 diamond’s value ranges from over $1,100 to $17,100 for 1.9 carats. While the price of a 1-carat, round VVS2 diamond ranges from $6,000-$7,000.
The price of a diamond is affected by different factors.This price range isn’t universal, though. Similar to any other diamond, the value of a VVS isn’t solely dependent on its clarity grade but also on other factors such as its cut, color, shape, and carat weight. But generally speaking, VVS diamonds are worth more than VS, SI, or I ones.
Do VVS Diamonds Go Up in Value?
Prior to buying something very costly, we often consider its value and whether it would appreciate over time unless the purpose of our purchase is for mere satisfaction only. So, what about VVS diamonds? Does their value appreciate, or are they a bad investment? Frankly, the answer is no—a diamond’s value does not go up over time. Only a minute group of rare diamonds increase in value. Plus, a majority of diamonds’ resale price is lower than their retail price. Hence, the belief that diamonds are rare and become valuable as time passes is an utter misconception.
If you really want to invest in diamonds, you have to source for the truly rare ones, and as the term suggests, they’re hard to come by. Several fancy colored diamonds, such as red, pink, or blue, with remarkable quality and carat weight, may increase in value. The same goes with significantly rare, high-quality white diamonds with impeccable cut, color, and clarity grade. These rare diamonds’ value may appreciate due to the law of demand and supply. They are in high demand but are in short supply; hence their value appreciates.
How Do I Get The Best Diamond Selling Price?
Now that you already know the slightly harsh reality of a VVS diamond’s value, it’s time to venture into the next thing that you could do with your diamonds: sell them. Here are some tips to help you get the finest selling price for your diamonds:
Tip 1: Proper Maintenance
We know that diamonds are one of the toughest substances on the face of the Earth, but they can still chip, fracture, or crack. Damaged diamonds won’t cost as much as when they are still in pristine condition. So, if you desire to sell your diamond at a high price, make sure to keep it well-maintained. If you have it set into a piece of jewelry, have the entire thing secured without major dents.
Tip 2: Box and Papers
If you purchased your diamond pieces from a renowned designer brand such as Cartier, you most likely received a branded box along with the brand’s certificate. These original boxes and papers are valuable materials that may increase your selling price as they prove the authenticity of your diamond piece.
Tip 3: Diamond Certification
Remember to secure a diamond certificate from reputable labs, such as the GIA. The certificate shows an official report of your diamond’s characteristics. This certificate is where key information, such as the 4 C’s, is placed. With this report, potential buyers will know that your diamond is authentic and will, therefore, accept a strong price offer.
Tip 4: Diamond Experts
If you want the best price for your diamonds, working with the experts puts you at an advantage. These experts have the capacity to provide high prices and a rapid selling process. And if they are able to find a guaranteed buyer for you, then you hit the jackpot.
Where Can I Buy VVS Diamonds Online?
In purchasing valuable items, particularly loose or set diamonds, make sure to transact with retailers or dealers that have already established their reputations in the market. You can find lots of random sellers online, but it’s risky to trust them, especially when your money is on the line. And what’s a VVS diamond clarity buying guide for if we won’t take you to the best retailers, right? Thus, we have sourced some of the top-notch and most reliable diamond retailers you can find online.
Ritani
Ritani is a brand founded in 1999 and specializes in bridal jewelry and engagement rings. The brand gives customers the option to design their own jewelry. They also claim to be reasonable and transparent in pricing their diamonds.
Here is an up-close Ritani review of its 2.00 carat round-cut diamond eternity ring.
James Allen
James Allen, founded in 2006, is one of the most reliable online diamond retailers to date. While the business is quite young, James Allen has long manufactured diamonds for major designer brands, such as Tiffany & Co. The business is known for its various diamond settings, but it sells loose diamonds as well.
Blue Nile
Similar to Ritani, Blue Nile was founded in 1999. It offers handcrafted engagement rings and other jewelry using high-quality diamonds. Buyers can also create personalized three-stone rings, earrings, and pendants. As part of its services, the brand provides diamond education and expert advice to their consumers.
Get a glimpse of their floating diamond eternity ring in this Blue Nile review.
Clean Origin
Clean Origin was founded in 2015. While the brand is only a decade and five, it is composed of veterans with many years of experience. It sells lab-grown diamonds set in bridal jewelry, engagement and non-engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Are VVS Diamonds Worth My Money?
Whether or not expensive diamonds are worth buying has been an ongoing debate among many diamond experts and collectors. Some say VVS diamonds are a decent buy, while others think they’re a waste of money, given that they all look the same to the untrained eye. Additionally, we already know that only a few groups of diamonds increase in value, so it’s best to think twice before buying one.
Splurging on a VVS diamond with impeccable color, flawless cut, and good carat weight entails spending thousands of dollars. But aesthetically, a VVS and VS diamond are almost twins. A non-diamond expert can barely tell the difference between the two. However, their price gap can be really huge.
Hence, if you have an unlimited budget for a VVS diamond or if you want to buy one for prestige and technical value, then, by all means, splurge! But if you only want to own one for ornamental purposes, then going for a VS diamond may be the more economical choice. So, are VVS diamonds really worth your money? Only you can answer this.
Should I Buy A VVS Diamond?
Now that you have already read this VVS diamond clarity buying guide, you may be asking yourself, “should I buy one?” If you fancy adorning yourself with diamond jewelry or you simply love to collect one and have the budget for a VVS diamond, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t get one. Just follow this buying guide, and remember to buy from reliable retailers only. Remember that purchasing a diamond will cost you so much of your money, so always buy wisely!
If you want to learn more about eye-clean diamonds and the reasons why you should purchase one, head over to this article: “What Are Eye-clean Diamonds & Why Should You Buy One.”