VVS2 Diamonds – Presence of Very Minute Inclusions
Absolutely stunning engagement rings with VVS2 diamonds from White Flash.
In this write-up, you are going to find out what the VVS2 clarity grade is all about. I’m also going to show you real-life examples of how VVS2 diamonds look like and help you decide whether they are suitable for your needs.
Let’s dive in!
What is VVS2 Diamond Clarity?
The term VVS stands for Very Very Slightly Included and the VVS2 grade is a very high clarity rating where the diamonds are “almost perfect”. At this grading, inclusions are so insignificant that it is difficult even for a trained gemologist to detect them under 10X magnification.
This also happens to be the clarity grade where you’ll see huge price jumps because of the scarcity of the rough crystals in nature.
When I first started out in the gem trade, I had a hard time detecting inclusions in VVS diamonds using hand-held 10X loupes. I had to “cheat” by using binocular scopes to inspect the diamond at 20-30X magnification.
After detecting where the inclusions are located, I would turn down the magnification back to 10X and verify them again. VVS diamonds gave me a really tough time during grading but with practice, things got better overtime and identifying inclusions became easier.
Till date, it would still take me a few minutes of careful examination to map and correctly identify inclusions in a VVS2 diamond.
The point I want to bring across here is: if a trained eye can have difficulties in locating inclusions at this clarity rating, a layman would have an extremely hard time doing so with a loupe.
Needless to say, diamonds in the very very slightly included (VVS2) grade will always be eye clean.
Examples of GIA/AGS Graded VVS2 Diamonds
In this section, I have listed four random VVS2 diamonds and I would like you to click on the images to view the individual listings. You should also interact with the video listing to scrutinize the diamonds and make use of the zoom function to see how big the diamond is in reality.
Can you see the inclusions using the 10X videos or 20X photographs? I definitely can’t and I don’t think you can either.
You see, that’s the thing about VVS diamonds, they are so clean that inclusions will only show up under the correct viewing conditions. Plus, it takes a trained eye and some experience to find them.
VVS2 vs VVS1 Clarity – What Are the Differences?
First of all, inclusions in both grades are very difficult to detect. I can tell you that it is impossible to see the tiny inclusions in both a VVS1 and VVS2 diamond with your naked eye once it is set on a ring setting.
The differences between a VVS1 and VVS2 grade are largely due to technical reasons. What sets a VVS1 apart from a VVS2 grade is how obvious the inclusions are when the diamond is examined in the face up view under 10X magnification.
As a general guideline, the inclusions of a VVS1 diamond are only visible from the pavilion side (bottom up) under magnification. For VVS2 stones, inclusions are visible in the face up view and typically located in the top half of the diamond.
VVS1 vs VVS2 clarity plots.
* For extremely large diamond sizes (e.g. 3 carats and above), some VVS1 diamonds can have inclusions that can be seen in the face up view when inspected under magnification.
Beyond the technical differences, there is a roughly a 10% price difference between VVS1 and VVS2. This is due to the rarity factor of VVS1 diamonds and they are usually sold at a large premium.
Bottomline: Should You Buy a VVS2 Diamond?
VVS2 diamonds are extremely clean and can be excellent alternatives if you can’t afford flawless diamonds. If you are a purist and want a “mind-clean” diamond, VVS2 diamonds are great choices for you.
On the other hand, if you are a practical person and all you want is an eyeclean diamond, you may want to consider VS1 or VS2 diamonds to stretch your dollar.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to your personal preference. Remember, clarity is just one aspect of the 4Cs. There are many other factors that contribute to a diamond’s overall appearance and beauty.
Whichever the case, just make sure you never compromise on cut quality if you want a bright, sparkly diamond.
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7 Comments
Paul, you are the best. Wish I had met you before kicking in $19,000!
I am shopping for the first time in my life for diamond. I know nothing about diamond and I was so lucky navigating myself to your website. I have read almost a week in beyond4Cs and your website is really the best source about diamond. No joke!
My mission is to buy 1 carat diamond for my parents’ anniversary and it should be the “nearly” best stone. My budget is about USD12,000. My mother ring size is 12. I’ve searched in local BM stores and they quote me an 1.03 E VVS2 with detail as in the file attached. I am still thinking to buy myself an ASET scope and a H&A scope to view it before buying. The quoted price is USD8,982 by cash which is almost 25% discount based on Rapaport price on 26 May 2017(USD11,700/carat).
However, when I looked at the inclusion description in the GIA report, I saw feather at 2 position at the edge of the stone. As in your website, it should be avoided due to durable reason. I’d like your comment on the stone, as I feel Ok in some aspect. I’ve just waited for the scope to confirm its light performance. (the shop doesn’t have that scope so I am going to order from the ideal-scope.com which will take me a few weeks for delivery)
Here in Abu Dhabi where I live, not many stones with triple Excellent to choose from so I’ve looked at Whiteflash and found 2 stones a bit over the budget. Could you help me scan both and is it the good price to go ahead? I am fairly reluctant to shop online with a huge amount of $$$.
Stone 1 Diamond | 1.092 ct D VVS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 3839982
url: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3839982.htm
Stone 2: Diamond | 1.118 ct D VVS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 3192775
url: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3192775.htm
I prefer the 2nd stone regarding the carat and price with same D and VVS2 characters. However, do you think that H&A of the second stone is not as precise as the 1st one. When I watched the videos, I couldn’t tell the difference between them. Is that true that H&A of the latter doesn’t affect its optical performance.
The last question, is there always some discount on the Rapaport price? What is the common rate for the online shop and B&M stores?
I much appreciate your opinion on these 3 stones and Big big thanks for providing enormous knowledge about diamonds.
If you want quality and better prices, you need to go online. It’s as simple as that. Local stores in Abu Dhabi will not offer diamonds with the kind of cut quality White Flash can offer.
ANY jeweler who tries to use the Rapaport as a sales tool is out to rip a consumer out. It’s the way things work in the industry.
https://beyond4cs.com/diamond-prices/
Don’t be foolish and fall for these tricks.
You want assurance and a risk free purchase? You stick with reliable vendors like White Flash.
Now, I would be surprised if you can see any differences between these 2 diamonds. They are top notch and cut to as good as round diamonds can possibly be cut to. That’s how high and consistent White Flash’s quality is.
Both diamonds are winners and stones I would personally buy.
I have a preference for this diamond: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3839982.htm given its small increase in price for the carat weight increase.
This would be my 2nd choice: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3192775.htm
Get the first diamond. It’s a good buy for its price.
Again thanks a lot for your valuable advice.
I have a little more concern that needs your review. https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7246329149
Please help me verify the position of the inclusion especially the feather in the stone. Is it a sign of less durable stone and the needle in the center make it less desirable? Is the facsimile report less reliable than other type of GIA reports? I read some notes in the 3rd page and didn’t understand.
Waiting for your reply and wish you a nice day
The inclusions in a VVS2 diamond will never be an issue for durability or eyecleanliness. A needle inclusion is just an embedded mineral in the shape of a long needle and it is likely very minute. Cut quality is what you should be worried about: https://beyond4cs.com/buying-diamonds-blind/
Wow Paul,
I did read it and definitely want to buy online. My only concern is how can I secure my purchase. I am not in US and shipping or tax are a matter, in worst case return is problematic too. Could you share some insights on these?
Could you please share experience in shopping with big amount of money? I will spend around USD25,000 for 2 targeted diamonds. In case I make wire transfer for cheaper option, is it more risky?
Among Whiteflash, James Allen and Brian Gavin, which one is your most preference. I personally think James Allen is more reasonably priced but Brian Gavin is the most pricey (of course I compared similar criteria diamonds)
Much appreciate your feedback
Best regards
Nguyen Thu Yen
P.S: I contacted a staff of James Allen for my concern of payment. I suggested that I would travel to NY and visit their HQ to make the purchase and pay them instantly (of course I would tell them in advance which diamond I want for their proper arrangement) but they still require me to pay online first and diamond will arrive later for me to collect. (I plan to travel to USA so I think abt this option)
I’m an international consumer just like you and I’ve bought quite a number of diamonds since my engagement. Returns are pretty easy with Fedex/UPS. So far, I only returned a couple of diamonds from White Flash and Brilliant Earth due to mystery shopping to test their services. The rest were kept for my wife. : )
Even if you do return any purchased goods, vendors like James Allen typically take only a few days to return the full amount back to your account. The harder part is getting custom fees refunded because of government agency efficiencies (if there are taxes to be collected in the first place).
It is best to do it once and do it right to avoid the hassle of getting custom taxes returned from the government.
Here’s my most recent purchase for an anniversary gift: https://beyond4cs.com/fancy-colored/cushion-cut-fancy-intense-yellow-diamond-engagement-ring/
With online shopping, you need to work with reliable vendors. James Allen is one of them my readers have raving reviews about and I personally have a great experience with. Wire transfer is 100% safe with these vendors and I recommend it for practical saving purposes.
Which vendor to work with depends on the type of diamonds you are looking for. Brian Gavin and White flash are great for super ideal cut diamonds like rounds and princesses. James Allen is great for fancy shape diamonds.
Do you have direct url links to the diamonds you are looking at? I can help you review them if you like.