What Do VVS1, VVS2, VS1 and VS2 Mean? Jewellery Clarity Grades Explained

A plain-English guide to the diamond clarity scale — what every grade from Flawless to I3 actually means, whether you can see the difference, and how moissanite fits in.

What does VVS1 actually mean?

If you have been shopping for a ring, a pair of studs or a pendant, you have almost certainly run into letters like VVS1, VVS2, VS1 and VS2 on product listings and grading certificates. They look like a secret code, and it is easy to assume the “best” letters simply mean the most sparkle. They don’t quite — clarity is only one part of the picture.

The good news is that the whole system becomes far less confusing once you understand the hierarchy and what each grade is really measuring. This guide walks through every grade in order, answers the exact questions people search for, and explains honestly where clarity matters — and where your money is often better spent elsewhere.

What does clarity mean in jewellery?

Every natural diamond — and most gemstones — forms with small imperfections. Clarity grading is a structured way of describing those imperfections. It is not a measurement of how much a stone sparkles, and it is not simply “how clean it looks” to you across a room. It is a trained assessment of the characteristics inside and on the surface of the stone.

Inclusions vs blemishes — what’s the difference?

Inclusions are features inside the stone: tiny crystals, feathers, clouds, pinpoints or needles that formed as the diamond grew. Blemishes are features on the surface: small scratches, nicks, naturals or polish lines, some of which relate to how the stone was cut and finished.

A grader considers five things together: how many features there are, how big they are, where they sit (a feature under the table in the centre matters more than one hidden near the girdle), what type they are, and how easily they can be seen. That combination — not a single measurement — is what produces the grade.

The jewellery clarity scale at a glance

The widely recognised diamond clarity scale runs from Flawless at the top to I3 at the bottom. Here is the full hierarchy in order.

This scale is most precisely defined for diamonds. As you will see in the moissanite section below, the same letters are sometimes borrowed for other stones, but they should not automatically be treated as identical.

What does FL mean?

FL is the highest clarity grade a diamond can receive. Flawless stones are genuinely rare, which is a large part of why they command such high prices. Importantly, “Flawless” refers to what is visible under magnification — it is a statement about the stone’s purity, not a promise that it will look dramatically different on the hand from a well-chosen lower grade.

What does IF mean?

FL vs IF — what’s the difference?

The distinction is simple: FL has no inclusions and no blemishes; IF has no inclusions but may show tiny surface blemishes such as a faint polish line. Both are exceptionally high grades, and to the naked eye they are indistinguishable. The difference exists at the level of a grader’s loupe, not everyday wear.

What does VVS mean?

What does VVS1 mean?

VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1) is the higher of the two VVS grades. Its inclusions are so small and so hard to locate that even a skilled grader can struggle to find them under magnification — they are often only visible from a particular angle, such as through the pavilion (the underside of the stone).

What does VVS2 mean?

VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2) is one small step below VVS1. The inclusions are still minute and still very difficult to see under 10×, but a grader can generally locate them a little more readily than in a VVS1 stone.

VVS1 vs VVS2 — what’s the difference?

Is VVS1 “better” than VVS2? On the grading scale, yes — VVS1 ranks above VVS2 and usually costs a little more. Whether that difference is worth paying for is a separate question, covered further down.

What does VS mean?

What does VS1 mean?

VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1) diamonds have minor inclusions that are difficult to see under 10× magnification. VS1 stones are frequently eye-clean, meaning their inclusions are not visible to the naked eye — though, as always, this depends on the individual stone.

What does VS2 mean?

VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2) is one step below VS1. The inclusions are still minor but can be somewhat easier to spot under magnification. Many VS2 stones are also eye-clean, particularly in smaller sizes, but it is more variable than VS1.

VS1 vs VS2 — what’s the difference?

VVS vs VS — what’s the difference?

VVS inclusions are harder to detect than VS inclusions. Both sit in the upper half of the scale and both are typically eye-clean, so the gap between them is about how the stone performs under magnification and how it is priced — not about visible beauty in normal wear for most stones.

What does SI mean?

What does SI1 mean?

SI1 (Slightly Included 1) diamonds have inclusions that are noticeable under magnification. A great many SI1 stones are still eye-clean, which is why SI1 is often considered a sensible value grade — but it is not guaranteed, so the individual stone matters.

What does SI2 mean?

SI2 (Slightly Included 2) inclusions are more readily seen under 10×, and in some stones they can be visible to the naked eye — particularly in larger diamonds or step cuts such as emerald cuts, where the open facets give the eye more to see.

Why SI grades vary so much: two stones with the same SI grade can look quite different. One SI1 might have a single small inclusion tucked to the side and appear flawless to the eye; another might have a more central feature that is easier to notice. This is exactly why, at SI grades especially, it pays to look at the actual stone rather than trusting the label alone.

What do I1, I2 and I3 mean?

A lower clarity grade does not automatically make a stone “bad”. The right question is what the inclusions actually are, where they sit, how the stone is cut, and what the piece is for. An I1 stone with an off-centre inclusion in a small accent setting may look perfectly lovely; an I3 stone with inclusions that reach the surface may raise genuine concerns about transparency or even durability. Context decides.

VVS1 vs VVS2 vs VS1 vs VS2

All four grades are typically eye-clean in a well-cut stone. As you move down the group you are usually paying less for clarity you cannot see without a loupe — which frees up budget for the characteristics that do change how a stone looks, such as cut and size.

Can you see the difference?

This is the question that matters most for real buyers, so let’s answer each version directly — with the honest caveat that visible appearance always depends on the individual stone, its size, its cut, the type and position of its inclusions, the lighting and the observer.

Can you see VVS1 vs VVS2?

Can you see VVS vs VS?

Can you see VS vs SI?

Notice the pattern: the higher you go, the more the differences retreat into the realm of the loupe. That is useful to know, because it means the top grades buy certainty under magnification rather than a visibly better stone on the hand.

Does clarity affect sparkle?

It helps to keep the four Cs in their lanes:

• Cut — how well the stone is proportioned and finished. This has the biggest influence on brilliance (white light) and fire (coloured flashes). A superbly cut stone of modest clarity will usually out-sparkle a poorly cut stone of high clarity.
• Clarity — inclusions, blemishes and transparency. Only when inclusions are numerous or large enough to interfere with light (typically at lower grades) does clarity begin to dull a stone.
• Colour — how colourless (or how intentionally coloured) the stone is. A separate scale entirely.
• Carat — weight, which relates to size.

So the claim “VVS1 always sparkles more” is not accurate. Clarity and sparkle are simply not the same thing. If you want to understand how all four work together, our 4Cs of diamonds explained guide covers the full picture.

Which clarity grade should you choose?

Paying for the very highest clarity is not automatically the best use of a budget. Because the top grades are indistinguishable to the naked eye, spending the difference on a better cut, a slightly larger stone or a nicer setting frequently produces a piece that looks better overall.

What does “eye-clean” actually mean?

“Eye-clean” describes a stone with no inclusions visible to the naked eye at a normal viewing distance (roughly arm’s length), for a person with average vision. It is a hugely useful concept — but it is not a fixed grade. Whether a stone is eye-clean depends on the size and position of its inclusions, the stone’s size, the cut and even who is looking. That is why we would never promise that a particular grade will always be eye-clean; VS stones very often are, many SI1 stones are, but the only certainty comes from the individual stone.

Is VVS1 worth paying more for?

A balanced way to think about it: clarity above eye-clean is a form of insurance you can only see through a loupe. If that certainty matters to you, it is a perfectly valid choice. If what you care about is how the piece looks when worn, cut and size will usually give you more visible return for the same money.

Does clarity matter as much as cut?

For visible beauty, cut generally matters more than clarity once a stone is eye-clean. Cut governs how the stone comes alive in light; clarity, beyond the eye-clean threshold, is largely a matter of grading certainty. Clarity still matters — a stone with large, central or surface-reaching inclusions is a real concern — but “highest clarity possible” and “best-looking stone” are not the same goal.

What about moissanite? Does the clarity scale apply?

This is where a little care pays off, because moissanite and diamond are different materials, and they are not graded in the same standardised way.

Is moissanite graded the same way as diamond?

Does VVS1 moissanite mean the same thing as VVS1 diamond?

Not necessarily. A “VVS1” label on a moissanite tells you the supplier considers it very high clarity, and premium moissanite is typically grown to be very high clarity and near-colourless. But because moissanite is not universally graded by the same independent diamond laboratories against the same standards, a clarity label on moissanite should not automatically be treated as identical to a laboratory-graded diamond clarity grade. It is best read as a description of quality within that maker’s range.

At Micoryan, our moissanite is described as VVS1 clarity and colourless, and because these stones are grown rather than mined, high grades do not carry the rarity premium that the same grade would on a mined diamond. If you want the moissanite-specific detail — including how colour is described — our guide to fancy-colour moissanite and our honest moissanite vs diamond comparison go further than we will here. This article is deliberately about the clarity scale itself rather than a moissanite deep-dive.

What about certificates?

Where a stone comes with documentation, it is worth reading — a grading report tells you how a specific stone was assessed rather than relying on a headline label. A few honest points, though:

• Not every piece of jewellery comes with a laboratory certificate. Many everyday and fashion pieces are sold without one, and that is normal for their price point.
• Not all certificates are equivalent. Independent laboratories such as GIA and IGI grade diamonds (IGI also grades lab-grown diamonds), and their reports are widely recognised. Reports that accompany some other stones — including certain moissanite — may come from the manufacturer or a different body and are not the same as an independent diamond grading report.
• Read what the document actually says. Check which organisation issued it, what was graded and against which standard, rather than assuming every certificate means the same thing.

If natural versus lab-grown is part of your decision, our guide to lab-grown vs natural diamonds explains how grading and value differ between them.

Your clarity buying checklist

• Check the actual clarity grade rather than a vague “high clarity” claim
• Understand what that grade means on the scale above
• Look at the stone itself where possible, not only the label
• Consider cut — it drives more visible sparkle than clarity does
• Consider colour alongside clarity
• Consider carat and size, which affect how inclusions read
• Check certification where applicable, and note who issued it
• Compare the complete piece of jewellery, not a single specification in isolation

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest clarity grade?

Flawless (FL) is the highest clarity grade, followed by Internally Flawless (IF), then VVS1 and VVS2.

Is VVS1 better than VS1?

On the scale, yes — VVS1 ranks above VS1 because its inclusions are harder to see under magnification. To the naked eye, however, both are typically eye-clean and look the same in normal wear.

Is VVS2 good?

Yes. VVS2 is one of the highest clarity grades, sitting just below VVS1. Its inclusions are extremely difficult to see even under 10× magnification.

Is VS2 good enough?

For most buyers, yes. VS2 is a popular, well-balanced grade that is frequently eye-clean, though whether any individual stone is eye-clean depends on the stone itself.

Is SI1 good enough for an engagement ring?

It can be. Many SI1 stones are eye-clean and make excellent, good-value engagement rings — but SI grades vary, so it is especially worth checking the individual stone rather than relying on the grade alone. Our guide to engagement ring settings may also help.

Does VVS1 mean flawless?

No. VVS1 is very high clarity but not flawless. Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) both sit above VVS1 on the scale.

Is VVS1 the same as flawless?

No. A Flawless stone shows no inclusions or blemishes under 10× magnification; a VVS1 stone has minute inclusions that are merely extremely difficult to see.

Can you tell VVS1 from VS1 with the naked eye?

Generally no. Both are usually eye-clean, so the difference is a magnification-level one rather than something visible in everyday wear.

Does higher clarity mean a better diamond?

Not on its own. Higher clarity means fewer or less visible inclusions, but a better diamond depends on cut, colour, carat and clarity together — and cut has the greatest effect on how much a stone sparkles.

Does moissanite have VVS1 clarity?

Premium moissanite is often described as VVS1 clarity, and it is typically grown to be very high clarity. Keep in mind that moissanite is a different material from diamond and is not always graded against the same independent diamond standards, so a moissanite clarity label should not be assumed to be identical to a laboratory-graded diamond grade.

Ready to find your jewellery?

If you have been researching clarity because you are shopping for something special, our moissanite pieces are described as VVS1 clarity and colourless — high-grade stones without the mined-diamond premium. A few favourites to start with:

Not sure where to begin? If you are choosing a ring in particular, our complete moissanite engagement ring buyer’s guide walks through everything from stone size to setting.