Hyde Park Blog

Every diamond enthusiast knows the 4Cs - carat, cut, color, and clarity. But, have you ever heard of VVS diamonds?

What Are VVS Diamonds?

First things first, VVS diamonds are natural, valuable, and real. They get their designation because the GIA and other gemological laboratories give clarity grades to gemstones. They use factors like color, size, number, and placement of imperfections and inclusions to do so. These are the factors that influence the passage of light through a diamond. The more noticeable the imperfections and inclusions, the lower the grade.

The term VVS on the diamond grading scale means Very Very Slightly Included. This means that the diamond has a flawless appearance. It has inclusions but they are microscopic.When a diamond has inclusions, it negatively affects its sparkle, brilliance, and durability. Gemstones are more exceptional the fewer inclusions they have.

With VVS diamonds, their imperfections are only visible under extremely high magnification. They're sometimes so small they escape the notice of the jeweler's loupe.

The Importance of Diamond Clarity

For a diamond to form, it requires tremendous pressure and heat. But sometimes little crystals get trapped during the process. These crystals cause imperfections to pop up in the diamond's structure. That's why it's so hard to find a flawless diamond.

To determine a diamond's clarity, jewelers use a 10x magnification tool. This helps them determine the size, position, color, and quantity of the crystals. Once that's complete, they use a clarity chart to put the stones into different categories, like VVS1 or VVS2.

VVS1 vs VVS2

There are two grades under VVS:

• VVS1: Their imperfections are barely noticeable. This is because they're found on the bottom half of the gemstone or the pavilion.
• VVS2: This type of diamond has minute flaws in the upper half of its body. They're less expensive than VVS1 diamonds.

Conclusion

In terms of clarity, VVS diamonds are the second best money can buy. At Hyde Park Jewelers, they let diamond enthusiasts enjoy beautiful gemstones at a more affordable price.Contact us for more information.