A diamond needs to be graded by a professional institution before it can be sold for a fair price by a designer or a retailer that specializes in precious pieces of jewelry. The process of grading such a diamond is called diamond appraisal, and needs to be conducted by a trained gemologist. During this particular process, the gemologist uses a special microscope in order to inspect the diamond. The microscope magnifies the diamond by up to ten times; thus allowing the gemologist to observe the diamond up close – this gives them the opportunity to see if any color is present within the diamond, how well it was cut and, of course, whether there are inclusions or other types of imperfections that degrades the quality of that diamond.
While the carat weight and cut of a diamond are often considered to be two of the most important properties to consider when buying a diamond, the other qualities that are also rated during a diamond appraisal process should not be skimped upon. When opting for a higher carat weight and cut grade, but a lower color and clarity rating, the diamond may not end up looking good. In this post, we are going to take a look at a particularly popular clarity rating that many people tend to opt for, which is VVS.
VVS Diamond Clarity Rating
When a diamond’s clarity rating is graded, the gemologist will look for any inclusions, blemishes or other types of imperfections that can be observed inside of the diamond. The more inclusions that can be observed, the lower the clarity rating will be. If a diamond has absolutely no inclusions, it is granted a “flawless” clarity rating. When blemishes are noted, but no inclusions, the diamond is awarded an “internally flawless” clarity rating. The problem with these two ratings, however, is that they tend to push the price of a diamond up significantly.
Luckily, there is no need to worry if a diamond grading report for a diamond you are interested in declares a lower clarity rating for that particular diamond. The good news is that the majority of clarity ratings that are awarded to diamonds refer to inclusions that can be observed through a special microscope, and not through the naked eye. Now, it is important to note that when a diamond has the lowest clarity rating possible, which would be I1 or I2 (I for “Included”), then inclusions and imperfections may be observed with the naked eye.
VVS is one particularly popular clarity rating that many people tend to opt for. The term VVS stands for “Very Very Slightly Included”. This rating falls just below “flawless” and “internally flawless”, and holds no inclusions that can be observed without the use of a microscope. Unfortunately, a VVS rated diamond rarely offers much difference when it comes to observing the diamond with the naked eye as opposed to some of the lower qualities, particularly a VS, or “Very Slightly Included” rated diamond. For this reason, individuals who are looking to save as much money as possible without having to sacrifice the visible beauty of a diamond are advised to opt for a VS1 or VS2 rating instead of a VVS1 or VVS2, as this will still give them a high-quality diamond without the large price tag.
Conclusion
The clarity rating of a diamond has a major impact on how it looks, but only when a clarity rating is chosen at a significantly lower grade. While the VVS clarity rating tends to be quite popular amongst those seeking to buy a high-quality diamond without necessarily opting for a completely flawless diamond, it seems like a step down can offer even further discount on the price, without reducing the beauty, sparkle or visible appearance of the stone.
About Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee is a former tech advisor who cut his teeth in Silicon Valley. He now spends his time sharing his passion for investing in diamonds and jewelry. You can reach Kevin for any comments by using the contact form on this site. Don't forget to sign up for his free "Investing 101 Guide" by clicking on the button at the top right of this website.