Moissanite clarity grades follow the same scale used for diamonds — but the practical meaning of each grade is different in context. This guide explains what VVS1 and VS1 actually mean, what the difference looks like in a real stone, and whether it matters for your purchase.
The Clarity Scale: A Quick Reference
Gemstone clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3). The grades relevant to moissanite purchases are:
| Grade | Name | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| FL / IF | Flawless / Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible at 10x magnification |
| VVS1 / VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included | Minute inclusions extremely difficult to see at 10x |
| VS1 / VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Minor inclusions difficult to see at 10x |
| SI1 / SI2 | Slightly Included | Inclusions noticeable at 10x, sometimes visible to naked eye |
What VVS1 Means in Practice
A VVS1 moissanite has inclusions that are extremely difficult to locate even under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist. To the naked eye — meaning without any magnification, as you would view a ring on a finger — a VVS1 stone appears completely clean and flawless. No inclusion is visible without a loupe.
This is the grade Moissanite Shine uses for every stone in our inventory, documented on each GRA certificate.
What VS1 Means in Practice
A VS1 moissanite has inclusions that are difficult but possible to locate under 10x magnification. A skilled gemologist with a loupe can find them; an untrained eye under magnification may or may not. To the naked eye, a VS1 stone also appears completely clean in almost all cases. The inclusions are minor enough that they do not affect the stone's optical performance — light passes through and returns normally.
The Key Question: Can You See the Difference?
On a ring finger, viewed in normal conditions (without magnification): No. The difference between VVS1 and VS1 is not visible to the naked eye in either grade. Both appear completely clean. The difference only becomes apparent under 10x magnification, and even then requires a trained eye.
This is not unique to moissanite — the same is true for diamonds. The practical distinction between VVS1 and VS1 is meaningful on a grading certificate, but not meaningful to anyone looking at your ring in real life.
Does Clarity Affect Brilliance?
At VVS1 and VS1 levels, inclusions are too small and too few to meaningfully interfere with light passing through the stone. A VVS1 and a VS1 of the same cut, color, and carat weight will perform identically in terms of brilliance and fire. Clarity only begins to affect optical performance at SI2 and below, where inclusions become large enough to block or scatter light pathways.
Why Moissanite Shine Specifies VVS1
We specify VVS1 because it represents the clearest, most verifiable standard we can guarantee across our inventory. Knowing that every stone is VVS1 or better removes any uncertainty about clarity and allows us to offer our lifetime warranty with full confidence. It is also the grade most buyers expect when purchasing fine jewelry at our price point.
Should You Pay More for a Higher Clarity Grade?
For moissanite, the difference between VVS1 and VS1 is not worth paying a significant premium for, because neither grade produces visible inclusions in normal wear conditions. If a seller offers VVS1 at a substantially higher price than VS1, that premium is for the certificate grade, not for any perceptible difference in the stone's appearance. At Moissanite Shine, VVS1 is our standard — you do not pay extra for it.
Related reading:
Moissanite Inclusions: What VVS1 Actually Means Under a Microscope
Moissanite Color Grading: How DEF and GHI Are Measured
How to Read a GRA Certificate: Step-by-Step Guide