These days, it’s not uncommon for people to invest in different kinds of diamonds. While mined diamonds are a popular choice, many diamonds are coming to the forefront. Sure, it’s possible you haven’t heard of other kinds of diamonds if you usually opt for mined diamonds.
Or, if you’re new to the diamond market, you may not be aware that there are diamonds other than mined diamonds. Whatever the case, we’re here to talk about a different kind of diamond that’s making waves lately – VVS diamonds.
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What Are VVS Diamonds?
Let’s talk about VVS diamonds, a special kind of diamond that’s piqued the curiosity of many. We’ll delve into the specifics of what these diamonds are and what makes them so popular in this article.
For those wondering, VVS refers to the clarity grade of a diamond. You may know that different diamonds have different clarity grades.
The clarity of a diamond depends on several factors like its shape and cut. The clarity of a diamond also depends on how many inclusions it has. You may also know that the price of a diamond is linked to its clarity.
So, diamonds with higher quality are likely to be pricier than other diamonds. But, what does this have to do with VVS diamonds? VVS in this context means ‘Very Very Slightly Included’. These diamonds are much clearer than most other kinds of diamonds. But, they have pretty tiny inclusions.
You wouldn’t be able to observe these inclusions even under a 10X magnification. Few people would want to opt for diamonds that offer them greater clarity than this. And, it makes sense considering how expensive even clearer diamonds can be. This goes for both mined and lab grown diamonds with inclusions.
You’ll find that VVS diamonds are broadly split into two categories. These categories are determined by the clarity of the VVS diamonds. As of now, we have VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds available in the market. VVS2 diamonds tend to have slightly more inclusions than VVS1 diamonds.
So, as you can imagine, VVS2 diamonds are often slightly cheaper than VVS1 diamonds. If you want to save some money on your next diamond buy, then it would be wise to opt for these diamonds. You could choose VVS1 diamonds for something close to internally flawless (FL) diamonds.
What is Clarity in VVS Diamonds?
In this section, we’ll elaborate a bit more on what inclusions in VVS diamonds are all about. But, first, you would need to understand what diamond clarity is all about. After all, not everyone choosing to buy a diamond can tell if it has good clarity.
We need to talk about the clarity of VVS diamonds since this can dictate their quality as well. The clarity of a diamond is all about how it appears when light passes through it. A trained eye can tell if a diamond is clear or has blemishes in it. To people like you and me, most diamonds appear alike in the basic sense.
But, if there’s a big difference in clarity, even an untrained eye can tell a VVS diamond apart. Pretty much every diamond you come across is likely to have some inclusions. This would be especially true for the diamonds that come from mines around the world. It’s not practical for you to expect every diamond you come across will be 100% clear.
The same should apply to your expectations from VVS diamonds. Often, the blemishes and inclusions form when the diamond itself is formed. The conditions under which a diamond is created can vary. So, it’s safe for us to assume that the clarity of the diamond can vary depending on these factors as well.
VVS1 diamonds are considered to be only one step away from FL(flawless) diamonds. So, it makes sense for you to opt for these if you want clear diamonds that don’t break the bank. It’s not easy to tell these diamonds apart if you have no prior experience with the same. But, you should be able to tell them apart if you want VVS diamonds for a big occasion.
First, we’ll talk about how inclusions in diamonds are created in the first place.
What Causes Inclusions in VVS Diamonds?
Do you remember studying how diamonds are created back in school? We learned about how carbon turns to diamonds when subjected to heat and pressure. Well, that’s how naturally mined diamonds are created, anyway. Since these diamonds occur in nature, the process cannot be without their imperfections.
After the diamond is formed and begins to cool, grains and impurities can become lodged in it. These impurities will form a part of the diamond and affect its clarity. There’s little you can do about it considering its part of the formation process of a diamond. These tiny imperfections come to be known as inclusions in the diamond.
You may be confused when you come across the terms ‘inclusions’ and ‘blemishes’. While these terms sound similar, they’re by no means the same when it comes to VVS diamonds. As we pointed out, inclusions occur during the diamond formation process. But, blemishes occur when the diamond is being cut.
You may know that VVS diamonds, like other diamonds, are available in different cuts. This is why you’ll see round brilliant, princess cuts, and other cuts in diamond jewelry stores. Diamond manufacturers use gem-cutting machines to achieve these high-precision cuts. But, these machines can make mistakes when cutting into the surface of the diamond.
This is what could cause blemishes in VVS diamonds even if they don’t have inclusions. A way to remember the difference is blemishes are outside and inclusions are inside.
Also, remember that the clearer the diamond is, the less likely you’ll be to notice blemishes. The light reflects off clear diamonds so well that blemishes become less clear.
Now you know about inclusions, let’s delve into the reasons why you should pick a VVS diamond in the first place.
VVS Diamonds Offer Great Clarity
The biggest reason for you to choose VVS diamonds is they’re of great quality. While they’re not the clearest diamonds out there, they’re clearer than most others. Even diamond experts would be hard-pressed to find the inclusions in a VVS diamond.
And after all, it’s not like you’re going to be observing your diamond through a magnifying glass. Anyone laying eyes on your diamond is sure to notice the brilliance of its clarity. The VVS diamond is pretty much unmatched in this department. Many diamonds have inclusions on the surface.
Often, these inclusions are near the table or crown of the stones. But, you’d be pleased to find that this isn’t the case with VVS diamonds. These diamonds more than excel in three clarity departments. These clarity departments are brightness, scintillation, and light reflection.
Naturally, as a customer, you’d want a clear diamond that reflects light the best. So, it makes sense for you to opt for diamonds like VVS diamonds. These diamonds look great under various types of light. You’ll also find that they look bright and brilliant from any angle.
Plus, another advantage is that some VVS diamonds don’t have inclusions at all. Sure, you could expect to shell out a little more on these diamonds. But, they’ll still cost you less than clearer diamonds like FL diamonds.
Those owning VVS diamonds observe that sparkle light reflects well across its surface. This is why they look great in several kinds of jewelry pieces like rings and necklaces.
VVS Diamonds Are Versatile
Another reason you could opt for VVS diamonds is that they’re pretty versatile. You’d be hard-pressed to find diamonds that fit better into several kinds of jewelry. It doesn’t matter if you want a diamond engagement ring, earrings, or necklaces. These diamonds are sure to enhance any piece of jewelry you’d prefer to wear.
You’ll find VVS diamonds enhance the appearance of diamond bracelets as well. You don’t need a large array of these diamonds to make your jewelry stand out. A stone or two is sure to make your jewelry appear bright and classy. Besides, these diamonds are available in various cuts to suit your jewelry pieces.
VVS diamonds are often paired with precious metals like gold and platinum for rings. The diamond engagement rings with these stones often feature 18k or 22k gold. You could even opt for white gold for your engagement or wedding ring if you want an understated look.
The same goes if you opt for platinum for your rings or necklaces. Platinum can drive up the price of your VVs diamond jewelry. But, it can be a great choice if you want to add a touch of luxury to your diamond jewelry collection.
VVS diamonds are especially popular among those wanting large diamonds. If you’re buying a small diamond, the clarity of the diamond won’t make much difference. But, if you want a large diamond for your jewels, it’s easier to notice any inclusions it has. So, VVS diamonds would be a great choice for you here.
You can pay extra and opt for VVS1 diamonds if you’re up for it. If you’re opting for a smaller diamond, something like a round brilliant diamond will do the trick. You should consider your budget and preferences before you opt for either.
VVS Diamonds Are Lab Grown As Well
These days, you might be hearing quite a lot about lab-created diamonds. This isn’t surprising if you consider the benefits of buying lab grown diamonds for your jewelry. The great thing about these diamonds is that you won’t be able to tell them apart from mined diamonds.
There’s a reason why people are forgoing mined diamonds altogether. Sure, mined diamonds have appeal for those that prefer them. But, people turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by companies in the name of mining diamonds. You may have read about unsafe working conditions in the diamond mining process.
Besides, the trouble taken to get these diamonds is often of little meaning to those buying them. You may be better off with lab created diamonds that look like their mined counterparts. You can buy these diamonds in various shapes and sizes, just like all other diamonds.
Also, it helps that these diamonds can help you save some money in the process. Since they’re created in labs, lab grown diamonds are unlikely to burn a hole in your pocket. But, this doesn’t mean you should consider these diamonds to be inferior. Lab grown diamonds have good-quality shapes and cuts, just like mined diamonds.
Besides, it’s a good thing you have the option of buying VVS lab diamonds these days. These diamonds will be clearer but cheaper than most other kinds of diamonds. So, VVS lab diamonds are worth a shot if you want extra clarity at a great price. And, if you’re wondering, ‘are VVS lab diamonds real?’, you can rest assured that they are indeed real.
Remember to buy diamonds from a reputed retailer if you want to make the right choice. You shouldn’t opt for the cheapest option and compromise on the quality of your VVS diamond.
Conclusion
So that’s a deep dive into why VVS diamonds are growing in popularity these days. If you’re a connoisseur of jewelry, you’d likely have heard of diamond clarity grades before. But, if you’re new to this business, it can be interesting to dip your toes into the world of diamonds.
It’s always a good idea to conduct enough research before you invest in a diamond. After all, no two diamonds look alike or are priced alike. Also, you won’t enjoy the same resale value for your diamonds as you would for gold jewelry. This is why we recommend you tread carefully when making investments in diamonds.
VVS diamonds can be a good investment if you buy their lab grown variety. These diamonds when created in a lab can be clearer than mined diamonds. Not only that, but they could also cost you less than mined VVS diamonds.
This is why many people opt for VVS lab diamonds when they want great clarity at a great price. Also, it doesn’t hurt that you’ll have a selection of diamonds in different shapes and cuts with lab grown diamonds. Lastly, think about your preferences before you check out the price tag for any kind of VVS diamond.
If you’re comfortable with less clarity, opt for VVS2 diamonds by all means. But, if clarity is a big consideration for you, VVS1 diamonds are the way to go. A bit of homework wouldn’t hurt you here, but what we’ve covered above should be enough to help you make a choice.