VS1 vs VVS1 Diamonds: The Truth You Need for Engagement Rings in 2025
When you start searching for the perfect diamond, clarity becomes one of the most important things to understand. Clarity can change the way a diamond looks, how it sparkles, and even how much it costs. Two clarity grades that many buyers compare are VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1) and VVS1 (Very, Very Slightly Included 1).
Both look clean to the naked eye and both offer great beauty — but choosing the right one depends on your needs, your budget, and your personal preferences.
Let’s break down the difference in the simplest way.
Understanding Diamond Clarity: The Essentials
Diamond clarity tells you how clean a diamond is on the inside and outside. These tiny marks are called inclusions (inside the diamond) and blemishes (on the surface). The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamonds from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). Each grade shows how easy or hard it is to see these tiny marks.
A diamond does not need to be flawless to look beautiful. Many clarity grades, including VS1 and VVS1, look completely clean to the naked eye.
Image Source: Your Diamond Teacher
What Is VVS1 Clarity?
A VVS1 diamond belongs to the “Very, Very Slightly Included” category. This means the inclusions inside the diamond are extremely tiny — so tiny that even an expert may struggle to see them under 10× magnification. To the naked eye, these diamonds look completely perfect.
Because they are very rare and almost flawless, VVS1 diamonds are often chosen by people who want a diamond that feels pure, special, and close to perfect.
What Is VS1 Clarity?
A VS1 diamond is one step below VVS clarity. It stands for “Very Slightly Included.” The inclusions in VS1 diamonds are still very small and very hard to see, even under magnification. To the naked eye, VS1 diamonds also look completely clean.
The main difference from VVS1 is price. VS1 diamonds offer a very clean appearance but at a more affordable cost. This makes them a very popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
Image Source: Whiteflash
VVS1 Diamonds: The Look of Purity
VVS1 diamonds are known for their exceptional cleanliness. The tiny marks inside these stones are often so small that they look like tiny pinpoints or faint clouds — and even these are hard to spot. Because of their purity and rarity, VVS1 diamonds cost more and are sometimes collected by people who want the highest possible clarity.
For buyers who enjoy knowing their diamond is almost flawless, VVS1 can feel like the “perfect” choice.
Image Source: Loose Grown Diamond
Why Choose VVS1?
1. Collector’s Value : VVS1 diamonds are very clean, and when paired with great color and cut, they become rare and valuable. Some buyers love owning something that feels special and hard to find.
2. Prestige : A VVS1 diamond represents top quality. For many, it feels good knowing they own a diamond that is almost perfect.
However, this level of purity comes with a higher price. A VVS1 diamond with high color, big size, and excellent cut can be much more expensive than a similar VS1 diamond — even though both look the same to the naked eye.
Image Source: Whiteflash
VS1 Diamonds: Beauty + Smart Value
VS1 diamonds are loved by many buyers because they offer excellent clarity without the premium price. Even though VS1 diamonds may have slightly more inclusions than VVS1, these marks are still so small that they can’t be seen without magnification — and never with the naked eye.
This makes VS1 a great option for engagement rings. You get a clean and bright diamond while saving money that can be used to upgrade the cut, increase the carat size, or choose a better ring design.
Why Choose VS1? (Easy Version)
1. Eye-Clean Look
VS1 diamonds look flawless to the naked eye. They offer great beauty without paying extra for invisible perfection.
2. Better for Budget
Since VS1 diamonds cost less, you can use the savings to upgrade size or cut — the features that actually make the diamond sparkle more.
3. Works with All Cuts
VS1 clarity looks clean in brilliant cuts like round, oval, and radiant, and also performs very well in step cuts like emerald and Asscher.
VVS1 vs VS1: What’s the Real Difference?
Both VS1 and VVS1 diamonds look clean when you see them with your eyes. The difference only becomes noticeable under magnification, where VVS1 inclusions are harder to find compared to VS1.
The bigger differences are in rarity and price.
VVS1 diamonds are rarer, so they cost more. VS1 diamonds still offer high clarity but are more affordable, making them an excellent value choice.
When it comes to investment, some people prefer VVS1 because of its rarity. But if your goal is a beautiful diamond at a good price, VS1 is often the smarter choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here are the three main things to think about:
Budget: If you want top clarity and don’t mind paying more, VVS1 is a great pick. If you want a clean diamond with better pricing, VS1 is perfect.
Size & Cut: Larger diamonds and step cuts show inclusions more easily. If you love emerald or Asscher cuts and want a bigger size, VVS1 might feel safer. For brilliant cuts (round, oval, cushion), VS1 looks flawless.
And of course, your personal preference matters most. Some people want the confidence of knowing their diamond is almost flawless. Others just want a diamond that looks amazing while staying within budget.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: A High-Clarity Alternative
Lab-grown diamonds are a great way to get high clarity without high prices. Lab-grown VS1 and VVS1 diamonds have the same sparkle, structure, and beauty as natural diamonds. They allow you to buy a bigger, cleaner diamond while staying within budget.
Bottom Line: Which Clarity Should You Choose?
Both VS1 and VVS1 diamonds are excellent choices.
Both look clean.
Both sparkle beautifully.
Both are perfect for engagement rings.
Choose VVS1 if you want rarity and perfection.
Choose VS1 if you want beauty and value together.
The most important thing, no matter which you choose is that your diamond is eye-clean and has an excellent cut. A well-cut diamond will always shine brighter and look more beautiful for a lifetime.
