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7 Shocking Facts About VVS Diamonds: What 'Very Very Slightly Included' Really Means In 2025

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The term VVS has transcended the world of high-end jewelry, becoming a cultural shorthand for ultimate luxury and perfection, frequently name-dropped in hip-hop and rap music. As of late 2025, understanding what VVS truly means is crucial, whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, investing in fine jewelry, or simply decoding the latest lyrics. It is one of the highest clarity grades a diamond can receive, signifying a level of near-perfection that is almost impossible to distinguish from a flawless stone with the naked eye. This deep dive will break down the technical definition, the cultural phenomenon, and the current market value of this elite diamond grade.

VVS is an acronym that stands for Very, Very Slightly Included. It is a critical component of the famous 4Cs of diamond grading—Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity—and sits just two steps below the pinnacle of the clarity scale. The VVS grade is a promise of microscopic purity, where any imperfections are so minute that even a trained gemologist struggles to find them under standard 10x magnification. This grade represents the sweet spot for many buyers, offering the visual perfection of a Flawless (FL) diamond without the exorbitant price tag.

The Technical Breakdown: Decoding the VVS Clarity Scale

To truly grasp the significance of VVS, one must understand its position on the global diamond clarity scale, primarily governed by institutions like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). The scale ranges from Flawless (FL) down to Included (I3), with VVS occupying a highly exclusive tier.

The 11 Diamond Clarity Grades (From Best to Worst)

  • FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
  • IF (Internally Flawless): No inclusions visible under 10x, but may have minor surface blemishes.
  • VVS1 (Very, Very Slightly Included 1): Inclusions are extremely difficult to see under 10x.
  • VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included 2): Inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x.
  • VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1): Minor inclusions are difficult to see under 10x.
  • VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2): Minor inclusions are somewhat easy to see under 10x.
  • SI1 (Slightly Included 1): Inclusions are noticeable under 10x, may be visible to the naked eye.
  • SI2 (Slightly Included 2): Inclusions are noticeable under 10x, often visible to the naked eye.
  • I1, I2, I3 (Included): Inclusions are obvious under 10x and visible to the naked eye, often affecting transparency and brilliance.

The VVS grade is further subdivided into VVS1 and VVS2, a distinction that is purely technical and often meaningless to the average consumer.

Fact 1: The Invisible Difference Between VVS1 and VVS2

The difference between VVS1 and VVS2 is a matter of the inclusion's size, number, and location, but both are considered "eye-clean."

  • VVS1 Diamonds: These are the superior grade. The inclusion is usually minute, often located closer to the girdle (edge) of the stone, and is sometimes only visible from the pavilion (bottom) of the diamond. For a skilled grader, the inclusion is "extremely difficult" to spot.
  • VVS2 Diamonds: The inclusion is slightly larger, more numerous, or located closer to the table (top) of the diamond, making it "very difficult" to spot under 10x magnification.

In practical terms, placing a VVS1 next to a VVS2 diamond, even a jeweler would struggle to tell the difference without a grading report and a microscope. For this reason, many experts suggest the VVS2 grade offers a better value proposition, as you get the same visual perfection for a lower cost than VVS1.

What Are the "Inclusions" in a VVS Diamond?

The term "inclusion" refers to any internal characteristic of a diamond, often called a "birthmark." In VVS diamonds, these inclusions are incredibly small and are typically categorized as one of the following microscopic features.

Fact 2: The Types of Microscopic Inclusions

  • Pinpoints: The most common VVS inclusion. These are tiny, white, or black dots that look like pinpricks and are often too small to be accurately plotted on a grading report.
  • Needles: Long, thin crystals that look like tiny rods. In VVS diamonds, these are extremely faint and thin.
  • Graining: Irregularities in the crystal growth structure that appear as faint lines or streaks.
  • Clouds: A cluster of pinpoints that are so tightly grouped they look like a hazy patch. For a VVS grade, this cloud must be extremely small and faint.

These characteristics are so subtle that they do not affect the diamond's brilliance, fire, or sparkle. You are paying for the technical rarity and the promise of near-flawless purity.

The VVS Value Proposition in the 2025 Market

The diamond market is constantly evolving, with significant shifts in 2025 driven by the rise of lab-grown diamonds and changing consumer priorities. Despite these changes, VVS maintains its status as a premium grade, but its value proposition is more complex than ever.

Fact 3: The Price Gap Between VVS and VS

The primary competitor to VVS is the Very Slightly Included (VS) grade, specifically VS1. A VS1 diamond is also guaranteed to be eye-clean, meaning no inclusions are visible without magnification.

  • VVS Price Premium: On average, a VVS diamond will cost about 10–25% more than a VS1 diamond of the same carat weight, color, and cut.
  • The Rationale: The extra cost is for the technical rarity and the assurance that the diamond is closer to perfection. For most people, the 10–25% premium is purely for the paperwork and the prestige of owning a VVS stone, not for any visual difference.

Fact 4: VVS Holds Value Better Than FL/IF

Counterintuitively, VVS diamonds are often said to hold their value better over time compared to the technically superior Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) grades.

This is because the demand for VVS is extremely high—it represents the sweet spot of perfection and affordability. The price difference between VVS and FL/IF is massive, making the top two grades a niche market. VVS, on the other hand, is a highly liquid and sought-after grade, especially in the secondary market.

Fact 5: The Role of Lab-Grown VVS

The 2025 market is heavily influenced by lab-grown diamonds, which now account for a significant market share. Lab-grown VVS diamonds offer the exact same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural VVS diamonds, but at a fraction of the cost. This has made the VVS grade more accessible than ever, allowing buyers to prioritize carat weight or color while maintaining top-tier clarity.

VVS in Pop Culture: From GIA Report to Global Slang

The term VVS has become a cultural icon, frequently used in music, fashion, and social media to signify opulence and superior quality. This cultural phenomenon began in the world of hip-hop and rap, where diamonds are the ultimate symbol of success.

Fact 6: The "VVS" Rapper's Code

Artists like Post Malone, Cardi B, Future, and Travis Scott have all referenced VVS in their lyrics. When a rapper says their chain or grill is "VVS," they are not just talking about a diamond grade; they are communicating that their jewelry is the highest quality, virtually flawless, and therefore, incredibly expensive and exclusive.

Fact 7: VVS as an Acronym for Excellence

Beyond jewelry, VVS is now used as a general slang term to denote anything of the highest quality or excellence. If someone says a car, a watch, or even a piece of art is "VVS," they mean it is top-tier, pristine, and virtually perfect. This cultural adoption reinforces the diamond grade's status as the benchmark for luxury and flawless execution.

Conclusion: Is a VVS Diamond Right for You?

A VVS diamond is an investment in technical perfection. It is a stone that offers the visual purity of a Flawless diamond with an inclusion that is a challenge for even a seasoned gemologist to locate. While a VS1 diamond offers the same eye-clean appearance for less money, the VVS grade provides the assurance, prestige, and high resale value that comes with owning a near-perfect stone. If your budget allows, and the peace of mind of owning a top-tier clarity grade is important, VVS—especially VVS2—remains the ultimate sweet spot for value, rarity, and breathtaking beauty in 2025.

7 Shocking Facts About VVS Diamonds: What 'Very Very Slightly Included' Really Means in 2025
what does vvs mean
what does vvs mean

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