What are VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1) clarity diamonds?

Summary

VVS1 diamonds are almost internally flawless, with inclusions so small they’re nearly undetectable even under magnification.
They’re among the top-tier clarity grades, second only to Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF).
Perfect for collectors or those seeking the best of the best in clarity.
Often indistinguishable from FL to the naked eye.

Rian here - we’ve written these clarity grade articles for you to get the nitty gritty on each diamond clarity grade. You can also get the big picture: view our page on the diamond clarity scale or read more posts in diamonds 101 about specific diamond clarity grades. Enjoy!

The Details About VVS1 Clarity Diamonds

Unlike their ‘Flawless’ and ‘Internally Flawless’ cousins, the VVS1 stones are flawed.

But keep in mind that by ‘flawed’ I mean that in order for a diamond to be given the clarity grade VVS1, it must be completely eye-clean and only have tiny inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10x magnification.

VVS1 Diamond Inclusions

These inclusions are usually the least offensive or visible of them all, such as ‘pinpoints’ (they sound so delicate!), ‘clouds’ (don’t they sound lovely?) and ‘needles’ (which we all know are hard to find).

The types of inclusions are not the most important factor when giving a clarity grade however, but rather where these imperfections are found. VVS1 inclusions and blemishes are invisible (or only very faintly visible) when looking at the face of the diamond, and usually only spotted when looking at the diamond from underneath.

The inclusions in a VVS1 diamond will not impact its beauty and fabulousness. Plus, nothing and nobody looks great at 10x magnification. The bottom line here guys, is that unless you plan to walk around with a magnifying glass so you and others can thoroughly inspect the inclusions, it’s safe to say that inclusions will not be the downfall of your diamond.

So, we know that they are slightly less perfect than ‘FL’ and ‘IF’, but are they worth your money? The short answer is no. The longer (but still very short) answer is this; because there are other grades of diamond clarity that will be eye-clean just like a VVS1, it is really not worth your while going for one of these unless it is exceedingly important for you.

A poor cut might though, so always aim for that ‘excellent’ grade in cut!

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VVS1 Clarity Diamond FAQs

What does the clarity grade “VVS1” mean?

The term “VVS1” stands for Very Very Slightly Included 1. It describes diamonds that have extremely small inclusions — so small that even under 10× magnification they’re almost invisible. In everyday wear, such a diamond appears flawless.

Is a VVS1 clarity diamond worth considering?

Yes, definitely — for many buyers it offers nearly flawless appearance without necessarily going to the absolute rarest grades. Since the inclusions in a VVS1 are so minute and hard to detect, you’re getting both beauty and high clarity.

What factors should I pay attention to when evaluating a VVS1 clarity diamond?

Even though the inclusions are minimal, it’s still worthwhile to see where they are placed, how many there are, and whether they might impact light performance. Reviewing magnified images or videos can help ensure you’re getting maximum value for the clarity grade you’re paying for.

Will I visually notice a difference between a VVS1 clarity diamond and a slightly lower clarity grade?

For most cases, the answer is no. When viewed without magnification, a well-cut VVS1 diamond will look virtually identical to higher clarity grades (like IF or FL). That means the higher price you pay for moving up the grade scale may not always result in a visible difference — so it’s smart to compare and think about value.

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Dr. Rian Mulcahy

Rian is officially a Diamond PhD - just ping us if you’d like to read her fascinating 200-page thesis, titled Facets of Value: An Investigation into the Formation of Worth in the Diamond Market. She has consulted various firms all along the pipeline, from the rough diamond market to the recycled diamond industry. She holds an MA in Globalisation and Development from University College Cork and a PhD in the Sociology of Diamond Valuation from the London School of Economics.