The Pros and Cons of Buying A VVS Diamond

Are you in the market for that gorgeous sparkly diamond you’ve fantasized about for years? Let’s face it, when it comes to precious gemstones and jewelry, diamonds are the cream of the crop and on seemingly everyone’s radar. In fact, roughly 147 million diamond carats were mined worldwide in 2018.

That’s a whole lot of sparkle! With so many diamonds in the mix, how do you know which one is right for you?

Buying Diamonds 101: The 4 C’s

Well, there are several factors to consider when buying diamonds. First, you’ll need a quick overview of the 4 C’s:

• Cut: The most important aspect of a diamond, which influences how much it sparkles.

• Color: How white a diamond is. The less the color, the higher the grade of diamond.

• Carat: The total weight of the diamond.

• Clarity: The amount of inclusions or flaws in a diamond.

For the purpose of this article, we’re focusing on clarity. If you want a prized VVS diamond for its unparalleled clarity, let’s weigh the pros and cons and decide if you should in fact buy a VVS diamond.

What’s a VVS diamond?

VVS stands for “Very, Very, Slightly” Included. There are two classes of VVS diamonds: VVS1 and VVS2. Essentially, each category is classified by clarity grades, however both contain minimal inclusions and are untraceable to the naked eye.

The difference between VVS1 and VVS2 involves where the inclusions are located.

• VVS1 diamonds have conclusions on the Pavilion, or under side of the diamond and are virtually undetectable.

• VVS2 diamonds have inclusions on the crown, but are still extremely hard to see.

Gemological labs essentially dictate which class a diamond gets categorized into based on these findings. The reason these little details are majorly important is because they determine how much light passes through the diamond, in turn influencing how sparkly and brilliant it is.

That’s right, light has a lot to do with sparkle. The reason so many people are eager to buy a VVS diamond is because diamonds graded with VVS1 or 2 have impeccable clarity.

Does that make them worthy of your investment? Truth is, while VVS diamonds are high quality diamonds, there are lower grade diamonds that are also stunning with average to good clarity. That’s because a diamond’s sparkle is more influenced by cut than clarity. However, there are pros to buying VVS diamonds:

Pros of VVS Diamonds

VVS Diamonds Contain Minimal Flaws

Regarded as virtually flawless, VVS diamonds contain only the most minimal inclusions. In fact, you’d have to look at a VVS diamond with 10x magnification to have a shot at finding these flaws. Even still, it’s nearly impossible to find them. That’s why VVS diamonds are so expensive and regarded as “superior” to other diamonds. It’s important to keep in mind that the absence of inclusions puts VVS diamonds into a much higher price bracket.

VVS Diamonds Come In Many Shapes, Colors and Sizes

If a large diamond is on your radar, than you might want to consider buying a VVS diamond. Why? Well, the larger the diamond the more prevalent the inclusions are to the naked eye. The larger the stone, the higher clarity you’ll want to ensure your diamond appears flawless.

Additionally, if you’re looking for a rare cut diamond than it helps to keep an open mind during your search. You may stumble across a gorgeous Asscher or Emerald Cut diamond that’s a VVS.

Cons of VVS Diamonds

VVS Diamonds are Expensive

There’s no way around it: VVS diamonds are pricey. The higher the clarity grade, the more expensive the diamond will be. VVS diamonds are significantly pricier than lower clarity grade diamonds. However, you can easily buy lower clarity grade diamonds for significantly less than a VVS diamond--and they’ll look basically the same.

Most buying guides will deter you from spending so much on a VVS because you’re essentially paying significantly more to buy a diamond that appears to look exactly the same as a VS diamond.

VVS and VS Diamonds look Exactly The Same

There is literally no noticeable difference between VVS diamonds and VS (Very Slightly Included) diamonds. Truth is, when you buy a VVS diamond, you are getting an extremely nice diamond that is virtually flawless.

However, when you hold up a VS diamond against a VVS diamond, the differences aren’t noticeable to the naked eye. Still, the price between a VS2 and VVS1 diamond can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Buyers often get misled to believe that VVS is a top-of-the-line diamond with significantly better quality than VS diamonds. Sure, there is no debating that VVS diamonds are gorgeous, but they don’t look any more sparkly or brilliant than VS diamonds.

VVS Diamonds Aren’t Exactly an Investment

We know what you’re thinking: “Buying a VVS diamond is an investment since it’s more expensive.” Unfortunately, this is simply not the case. Most often, resale values of diamonds are dictated by color and cut. And in an overly saturated market--diamond resales frankly don’t provide a return on your investment. That’s why it’s vital to do extensive research before you buy your diamond to make sure you’re absolutely, head over heels in love with it. Chances are, you’ll have it for life!

So, Should I Buy a VVS Diamond?

Ultimately, choosing whether or not to buy a VVS diamond is completely subjective. However, considering that VVS and VS diamonds look so similar, you can easily save thousands of dollars by buying a VS diamond instead of a VVS.

Now that we’ve weighed the pros and cons of VVS diamonds, you can assess where your priorities lie. We’re not here to deter you from buying a VVS diamond, rather illustrate the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. Deciding what kind of diamond to buy is an important task, and it’s best to do your research, go with your gut and buy from a reputable jeweler.

Because bottom line: your diamond IS an investment into your unique style and story and you deserve a diamond that reflects that.

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