If you‘ve shopped for moissanite online, you’ve seen the letters. “D Color VVS1” — it‘s stamped on product titles, buried in bullet points, and used as a selling point on nearly every moissanite listing from Amazon to Etsy to brand websites.

But what does VVS actually mean when it comes to moissanite? And more importantly — does it matter?

Here’s the honest answer: VVS is a clarity grade that describes how clean a stone is under magnification. It tells you something real about the stone, but its meaning in moissanite is not the same as it is in diamonds. In fact, if you‘re paying a premium for “VVS” moissanite without understanding what you’re actually buying, you might be spending money on a difference you‘ll never see.

This guide explains what VVS really means for moissanite, how the moissanite industry grades clarity, and how to decide if it’s worth paying extra for.

What Does VVS Mean?

VVS stands for Very Very Slightly Included. It‘s a clarity grade that describes how visible a stone’s internal characteristics (called inclusions) are under 10x magnification.

In the grading framework used for moissanite, VVS sits at the top of the clarity scale :

For moissanite, VVS represents the highest clarity grade commonly available in the market. It means the stone is completely clean to the naked eye and has only the most minimal internal characteristics when examined under magnification.

This grading framework comes from the T/GDSHJXH 002-2021 standard, a gemstone industry standard for moissanite grading developed in Shenzhen, China — the global hub for moissanite manufacturing. It grades moissanite across four dimensions: color, clarity, cut, and size. The clarity scale uses three levels: Flawless (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), and Slightly Included (SI) .

Why Moissanite “VVS” Is Different from Diamond “VVS”

In diamonds, VVS is rare and commands a significant premium. A 1.00-carat, D-color VVS1 diamond can cost 15–40% more than a VS1 diamond of the same weight and color. You‘re paying for rarity — flawless diamonds are exceptionally uncommon in nature.

Moissanite is a different story entirely.

Moissanite is lab-grown, which means its internal clarity can be controlled far more precisely than a natural diamond’s. High-quality lab-grown moissanite routinely achieves VVS or better clarity without the rarity that makes VVS diamonds expensive .

This is why the moissanite market has a peculiar dynamic: VVS is often the baseline, not the premium.

When Charles & Colvard — the company that pioneered moissanite in the US — partnered with IGI in 2024 to create standardized grading reports for moissanite, they made a telling move. They raised the minimum clarity of their flagship Forever One product from VS to VVS to qualify for IGI reports . To get an official IGI grading report, the moissanite had to be VVS. That‘s how achievable VVS clarity is in lab-grown moissanite.

For diamonds, VVS is a rare achievement. For moissanite, it’s the standard for premium products.

How Moissanite Is Graded Around the World

This is where things get interesting for American shoppers.

China: The T/GDSHJXH 002-2021 standard provides a formal grading framework for moissanite, covering color, clarity, cut, and size. This standard was developed by the gemstone industry in Shenzhen, where the majority of the world‘s moissanite is manufactured — including BAMOER. It treats moissanite as its own gemstone category with its own grading criteria, not as a diamond substitute .

IGI (International Gemological Institute): In May 2024, IGI began issuing grading reports for moissanite using the standard 4Cs (cut, clarity, carat, color). The reports include a unique identifier laser-inscribed on each stone, allowing verification . This is a significant step — a major international gemological institute treating moissanite as a standalone gemstone worthy of formal grading.

GRA: The most common certificate that accompanies moissanite in the US market. GRA stands for “Gemological Research Association,” but it is not an accredited gemological laboratory like GIA or IGI. It is not affiliated with either, and it is not registered as a company in major jewelry markets. A GRA certificate functions more like a seller’s specification card than an independent grading report — the data is often generic and not the result of a gemologist examining your specific stone.

So when you see “VVS moissanite” on a listing, the question to ask is: Who says it‘s VVS?

If the answer is “GRA,” understand that it’s a self-reported spec, not an independent verification. If the answer is “IGI,” that‘s a real grading report from an internationally recognized institute. And if the answer is a brand like BAMOER, it means the stone has been graded according to the Shenzhen moissanite standard — a framework built specifically for moissanite as an independent gemstone.

VVS vs. VS: Can You See the Difference?

This is the question that matters most for your wallet.

In diamonds: VVS and VS diamonds both look identical to the naked eye. The difference is only visible under 10x magnification by a trained grader. Yet VVS commands a 15–40% price premium .

In moissanite: The difference is even less meaningful.

Moissanite has an extremely high refractive index — 2.65 to 2.69, compared to diamond‘s 2.42 — and strong dispersion . This means light bounces around inside the stone so intensely that tiny inclusions are even harder to spot than they would be in a diamond.

A VS clarity moissanite and a VVS clarity moissanite will look visually identical to you, the wearer, and to anyone who sees your ring. The “VVS” label describes a difference that exists only under magnification — a difference that doesn‘t affect how the stone looks on your finger.

What You Should Actually Pay Attention To

If VVS vs. VS doesn‘t matter visually, what does?

1. Eye-Clean

This is the term you should look for. “Eye clean” means the stone has no visible inclusions to the naked eye, regardless of what grade is printed on a certificate. A VS moissanite can be eye-clean. A VVS moissanite is eye-clean. For your purposes, they‘re the same.

2. Color Grade

Color is more visible than clarity in moissanite. The most common color descriptions you‘ll see are:

Moissanite has a unique optical property that makes color grading tricky. Its high dispersion creates a “whiter” visual impression than its actual color grade would suggest. The stone can look more colorless than it is because the rainbow fire masks warm tones .

For most buyers, a G-H color moissanite looks just as white as a D-color stone in normal lighting. The difference is subtle and often only noticeable when comparing two stones side by side.

3. Cut Quality

Cut determines how well a stone reflects light — and it‘s the factor most within a manufacturer‘s control. A poorly cut stone will look dull regardless of its clarity or color grades. In moissanite, look for terms like “Excellent” or “Very Good” cut, and pay attention to actual photos and videos of the stone in natural light.

4. Certificate Transparency

If a seller provides a certificate, understand what it is:

• IGI report: A real, independent grading report from an internationally recognized institute.

• GRA card: A seller‘s spec sheet, not an independent grade. Useful for confirming it‘s moissanite, but not a quality guarantee.

• Brand specification: Some brands, like BAMOER, provide their own specification documentation based on the Shenzhen moissanite grading standard. This tells you how the stone was graded within the framework built for moissanite as an independent gemstone.

Should You Pay Extra for VVS Moissanite?

If you‘re comparing two moissanite stones at the same price: VVS is a nice bonus, but VS will look just as good.

If a seller is charging a significant premium for VVS over VS: You‘re paying for a magnification-level difference that no one will ever see. Spend the money on a better cut, a larger carat, or a higher-quality setting instead.

If a seller‘s “VVS” claim comes with an IGI report: That‘s a real, independently verified grade. It adds credibility, though the visual difference between IGI-certified VVS and a well-cut VS stone remains negligible.

If a seller‘s “VVS” claim comes only from GRA or self-reporting: Treat it as marketing language, not a verified grade. The stone is still real moissanite — it‘s just not independently graded.

The bottom line: VVS is a real clarity grade, but in moissanite, it‘s not a meaningful quality differentiator. Lab-grown moissanite achieves VVS clarity routinely. The difference between VVS and VS is invisible to the naked eye. Focus on what you can see — the sparkle, the color, the design — and don‘t overpay for a label that only matters under a microscope.