Moissanite grades explained: what D, E, F colour and VVS1 clarity mean
Moissanite listings borrow GIA’s diamond grading letters. Charles & Colvard, the original maker, sorts moissanite into colourless (D, E, F), near-colourless (G, H, I) and faint colour (J, K). Clarity grades such as VVS1 come from GIA’s diamond scale, where VVS means “so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader” to see at 10x. On Amazon these grades are the seller’s own claims, so choose D to F for an icy white look, judge the cut from photos and video, and do not pay extra for a GRA card.
Colour
Charles & Colvard says all the moissanite it sells falls between D and K, in three groups: colourless (D to F), near-colourless (G to I) and faint colour (J and K). It introduced its first colourless stones in 2015; before that its best were near-colourless (National Jeweler, 2015). If a stone has a faint warm tint, a yellow or rose gold setting will not contrast with it the way white metal does.
Clarity
GIA’s clarity scale runs from Flawless to Included (I1 to I3), judged at 10x magnification. VVS1 and VVS2 mean inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see; VS1 and VS2 mean inclusions that can be seen with effort but are minor. On a moissanite listing the clarity grade is the seller’s claim, not a laboratory grade.
Cut matters more than the grade
No colour or clarity letter will fix a stone that looks glassy or dark in the middle. Look at clear photos and video of the actual stone before you buy, and buy where returns are easy.
| Grade | Meaning | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| D, E, F colour | Colourless (Charles & Colvard’s grouping) | Yes for white metal |
| G, H, I colour | Near-colourless | Fine for yellow or rose gold settings |
| J, K colour | Faint colour | Only if you like a warm tint |
| VVS1, VVS2 clarity | Very, very slightly included: inclusions difficult for a skilled grader to see at 10x | Treat as the seller’s claim |
| VS1, VS2 clarity | Very slightly included: inclusions seen with effort at 10x, minor | Judge from photos and video |
| “GRA certified” | A seller-supplied card, not an independent laboratory report | Do not pay extra for it |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best moissanite colour grade?
D to F, which Charles & Colvard calls colourless, is the choice for white gold, platinum or silver. G to I is near-colourless and J to K has faint colour, which sits better in yellow or rose gold.
Is VVS1 moissanite good?
VVS1 on GIA’s diamond scale means inclusions so slight a skilled grader has difficulty seeing them at 10x. On a moissanite listing it is the seller’s claim, not a laboratory grade, so judge the cut and setting instead.
Sources
- Charles & Colvard: Making the grade (moissanite colour groups D to K)
- National Jeweler: Charles & Colvard debuts colorless moissanite (15 September 2015)
- GIA 4Cs: Diamond clarity (the 11-grade scale, FL to I3)
- Le Gemmologue: Curious GRA (11 July 2021)
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