Lesson 18 · Diamonds & Engagement Rings · 36 seconds

VS versus VVS: zoom out before choosing

VS and VVS are clarity categories assessed at ten-times magnification, and VVS inclusions are harder for a skilled grader to see. The grade alone cannot tell you what you will notice while wearing the stone; size, nature and position of inclusions matter too.

What this lesson shows

A clarity grade is set at 10x.

A generic loupe view sits beside a typeset scale: VVS inclusions are harder for a skilled grader to see at 10x than VS inclusions. The drawn inclusion is an illustration and is not assigned a grade.

Three quick takeaways

What to actually do when you shop

  • VS and VVS are clarity categories assessed at ten-times magnification.
  • The grade alone cannot tell you what you will notice while wearing the stone. Size, nature and position of inclusions matter too.
  • Compare the report, magnified views and everyday appearance.

The loupe and diamond footage is AI-generated illustration. The magnified view is a generic illustration and no grade is assigned to it. The narration uses an AI-generated voice. Captions are shown in the video.

Read the transcript

Zoom in to grade clarity. Zoom out to choose your ring. VS and VVS are clarity categories assessed at ten-times magnification. VVS inclusions are harder for a skilled grader to see than VS inclusions. But the grade alone cannot tell you what you will notice while wearing the stone. Size and the nature and position of inclusions matter too. Compare the report, magnified views, and everyday appearance. Explore more in the Aydins Jewelry Learning Center.

Sources

Related lessons

Same carat weight, different look · carat is a weight, not a size.

Three checks before trusting a diamond report · read the actual document.

Round is the shape. Cut changes the light. · why cut matters beyond the shape name.

Next step

Compare diamonds at normal viewing distance.

Look at the report, magnified views and everyday appearance of each stone.

Shop engagement rings