E Color Grade Diamonds

E color diamonds are a top-tier choice, offering a near-perfect, colorless appearance. They’re a step away from the highest grade, D, but to the naked eye, the difference is negligible. The GIA grades diamonds in the D, E, and F range as “colorless”. However, this high quality comes at a cost. For instance, a 1-carat E color diamond can start from around $6,500. But remember, diamonds with slightly lower color grades, such as G or H, can still look stunning and cost significantly less, starting from around $5,000. Your choice should align with your personal preference and budget.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
What are E color diamonds?
How do E color diamonds compare to other colors?
What setting is best for an E color diamond?
What do E color diamonds cost?
Where to buy E color diamonds

D Color Diamonds (Absolutely Colorless)

D is the highest color grade, meaning it has nearly no color. Under magnification and to the naked eye, a D color diamond will appear colorless.

D color diamonds are usually set in platinum or white gold, as yellow gold and other jewelry settings detract from the diamond’s uncolored beauty. Diamonds with a D color grade are the most rare and expensive on the market, with a significant price premium over other color grades.

See D Graded Diamonds

E Color Diamond (Colorless)

E color diamonds look almost identical to D color diamonds. Most of the time, the differences in color between a D and E diamond are only visible to an expert gemologist when the two diamonds are viewed under magnification.

Like D color diamonds, E color diamonds are usually set in platinum or white gold to avoid the color of the jewelry detracting from their near flawless color. Although these diamonds are less expensive than D color diamonds, they still command a hefty premium.

See E Graded Diamonds

F Color Diamond (Colorless)

F color diamonds are almost identical to D and E color diamonds, with nearly no visible color. Even under magnification and side by side, a D, E and F diamond will look almost identical to anyone other than an expert gemologist.

See F Graded Diamonds

G Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

G color diamonds exhibit nearly no color and appear primarily colorless to the naked eye. The G color grade is the highest, best grade in the “Near Colorless” range of the GIA’s scale, which covers diamonds graded G to J.

Although G color diamonds have some tints of color, they’re almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Like D-F diamonds, these diamonds should be set in platinum or white gold to reduce any effects of color reflection from yellow or rose gold.

See G Graded Diamonds

H Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

H color diamonds appear primarily colorless to the naked eye but have a faint yellow hue that’s often visible under magnification in bright lighting, especially when they’re compared to diamonds of a higher color grade.

Like G color diamonds, these can be set in platinum or white gold without any issues. H color diamonds are slightly less expensive than G color diamonds and significantly more affordable than diamonds in the colorless range. This is the minimum color grade we recommend for diamond shapes with a large table, such as the radiant and cushion cuts.

See H Graded Diamonds

I Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

I color diamonds offer a great combination of near colorless looks and good value for money. These diamonds have a slight yellow tint that’s usually only visible when they’re viewed next to diamonds of a higher color grade.

An I color round brilliant cut diamond can look fantastic in a platinum or white gold setting, as well as alongside metals such as yellow or rose gold. As you’d expect, I color diamonds are less expensive than G or H color diamonds. This is the minimum color grade we recommend for princess cut diamonds.

See I Graded Diamonds

J Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

J color diamonds look mostly colorless to the naked eye, but usually have a faint yellow tint that’s easy to notice under bright lights and magnification. In diamonds with a large table, the color might also be visible with the naked eye in certain lighting conditions.

From a value for money perspective, J color diamonds can be fantastic choices. We recommend this color for round brilliant cut diamonds set in platinum or white gold (solitaire setting), as the cut of the round diamond is great at concealing color. However, the J color grade is not recommended for diamond shapes with a larger table and fewer facets.

See J Graded Diamonds

K Color Diamond (Faint)

K color diamonds are classed as “faint tint” on the GIA’s diamond color scale, meaning they have a slight yellow tint that’s visible even to the naked eye.

Diamonds in this price range can be found for significantly less than those in the G to J range. Set in a beautiful yellow gold setting, a K color round brilliant cut diamond can look gorgeous. However, diamonds of this color grade should generally not be set in platinum or white gold.

See K Graded Diamonds

L Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

L color diamonds have a yellow tint that’s visible to the naked eye in normal lighting conditions. Diamonds with this color grade are much more affordable than those in the G to J range, making them a good value for money option.

Because of the yellow tint, we don’t recommend the L color grade for non-round diamond shapes. We also don’t recommend it for diamonds set in platinum or white gold. However, L color round brilliant cut diamonds can still look great in yellow gold solitaire rings due to the warm, yellow tone of the metal.

See L Graded Diamonds

M Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

M color diamonds have a definite yellow tint that’s visible to the naked eye. Like K and L diamonds, M color diamonds offer fantastic value for money when compared to near colorless or colorless diamonds.

The M color grade is typically the lowest color grade offered by online diamond vendors. Although M color diamonds can look warm and beautiful in antique yellow gold settings, their color is quite easy to notice even with the naked eye.

See M Graded Diamonds

N-Z Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

Diamonds in the N to Z range have noticeable yellow or brown tinting. These diamonds are available at a much lower price point than faintly tinted or near colorless diamonds. We do not recommend diamonds of an N-Z grade.

What Are E Color Diamonds? 

As we covered in our guide to diamond color grades, all diamonds receive a grade between D and Z which denotes their color. As GIA, the worlds leading diamond certification laboratory, puts it: “A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of pure water, and consequently, a higher value. GIA’s D-to-Z diamond color grading system measures the degree of colorlessness by comparing a stone under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions to masterstones of established color value.”

S through Z, on the other hand, are the lowest grades and are typically used for diamonds that display an obvious, clearly visible yellow or brown tint. 

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As the second highest color grade, E color diamonds are considered colorless. While they may not have quite as strong an icy, transparent appearance as D color diamonds, they appear fully colorless when viewed with the naked eye and under bright lighting and magnification. 

The difference between a D color diamond and an E color diamond is very subtle, with only an expert gemologist with advanced laboratory equipment able to tell the difference. To the naked eye, there’s no visible difference between one diamond’s color and that of the other.

There’s also no visible difference in color, at least to the naked eye, between an E color stone and an F color one. However, in some cases, it is possible to see the color difference between an E color diamond and a stone in a lower color grade, such as H, I or J. 

From a color perspective, E color diamonds look fantastic. Their colorless appearance means they look particularly impressive in white metals like white gold and platinum, which show the color of a diamond more clearly than yellow or white gold.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that choosing an E color diamond is always the best decision. As we’ve shown below, the difference in color between an E color diamond and one with a lower color grade can be very small, while the difference in price can be immense. 

Are you thinking of buying an E color diamond for your fiancé-to-be’s engagement ring or other diamond jewelry? Does a diamond like this from Blue Nile seem like an absolutely perfect choice for you? Can you tell the difference between that one and this one from Blue Nile which is almost $4,500 cheaper?

Understanding Color Grade

In most cases (the exception being fancy colored diamonds), being completely colorless is a desirable trait to have from a diamond. That’s why the GIA, and other grading entities, grade diamonds on the amount of color present, and why diamonds with a high grade in color are significantly more expensive.

Diamond grading entities view diamonds under special conditions, such as controlled lighting, to establish the level of color present. Those on the high end of the scale exhibit no noticeable tint or hue, even under intense magnification or precise viewing conditions.
As a consumer, your goal when assessing diamond color should be to find a diamond that appears colorless under normal viewing conditions. An H color diamond, for example, may have a very faint yellow tint when viewed by a professional in a lab. But to the naked eye, it will almost always appear beautiful and devoid of any color.

The Diamond Color Scale

As mentioned earlier, diamond color grades range from D, the highest, to Z, the lowest.

In accordance with the GIA’s grading for diamond color, D to F diamonds are colorless and G to J diamonds are near colorless. Below this, diamonds can be expected to show a noticeable, if slight, yellow or brown hue.

See the infographic below for a visual depiction of the diamond color scale:

Comparing to Other Diamond Color Grades

If you’ve previously read our full guide to diamond color, you’ll probably be aware that we don’t recommend overpaying for a diamond with an unnecessarily high color grade. 

Instead, the most effective approach from a value for money perspective is to pick a diamond that looks white in relation to its setting. This can often be achieved by choosing a color grade that’s well below the colorless range. 

We’ve shared some comparisons a little further down the page to highlight this point. For now, let’s start by looking at the differences — or lack of differences — between an E color diamond and a D color diamond.

E vs D 

The difference between an E color diamond and a D color diamond is extremely slight, so much so that there is essentially no way to tell one from the other – especially for the naked eye.

For example, look at the two round diamonds below. On the left, we have this 0.80 carat, VS2 clarity, excellent cut, E color round brilliant cut diamond from James Allen. On the right, we have this diamond from James Allen of the same cut, clarity and carat weight, but with a D color grade:

Can you see any difference in color between these two diamonds? Even under bright lighting and strong magnification, it’s virtually impossible to see any difference in color between these two diamonds, despite one receiving an E color grade and the other a D color grade.

Despite this, there’s a small difference in price, with the D color stone (on the right) priced at $4,670 and the E color diamond (on the left) available for $4,500, or almost 4% less. 

Even when the diamonds are viewed close up in bright lighting, this $170 difference in pricing translates into no visible difference in the appearance of the two diamonds. 

E vs F

The visible difference between an E color diamond and an F color diamond is again extremely slight. Both E and F color diamonds are considered colorless on the GIA’s diamond grading scale, which means they lack any noticeable color, even under magnification and precise viewing conditions.

If we compare the E color diamond above to this one with an F color grade, the appearance is virtually identical. In a lab, it may be possible to pick out a very faint increase in color present in the F color diamond, but to the naked eye, distinguishing them would be impossible.

Similarly to the comparison above, there is a difference of nearly $260 which, while not a massive amount, is still extra money spent for zero difference to the naked eye.

E vs G

Now, let’s do the same comparison with an E color diamond and a G color diamond. Below, we’ve compared the same E color round diamond (left) to this G color diamond from James Allen of the same clarity, carat weight and cut (right): 

Ignoring any issues caused by the different angles of the photographs, can you see any real difference in color between these diamonds? Even close up and with bright light, there isn’t a clear difference in color when the diamonds are viewed from above. 

Even from the side, the difference in color is extremely small — so small that you could never see it with the naked eye:

Remember, the images above are magnified to 20 times their normal size and lit very brightly to make any imperfections in the diamonds obvious. In real life, the two diamonds pictured above look virtually identical to the naked eye.

E vs Other Color Grades

Just like there isn’t much of a perceptible difference between a D color diamond and an E color one, there also isn’t much of a difference between an E color diamond and a diamond with a G, or even H, color grade.  

Despite this, there’s quite a significant difference in price between E color diamonds and those in lower color grades. 

Using our same example of the E color diamond above, this H color diamond from James Allen costs $3,290 – a $1,210 difference.

Even more pronounced is this I color diamond, which is $1,560 less than the E color diamond.

At this range, it is much easier to tell the difference with an E color diamond, if you were to examine two diamonds side-by-side. However, an H or I color diamond should still appear colorless if you were to view it on its own, set in a ring.

E Color Diamond Ring Settings

Generally speaking, it’s important to take the ring setting into account when deciding on a color grade. That’s because the color of the setting can have a large impact on the perceived level of color present in the diamond as well.

For example, with a light colored setting, like white gold or platinum, a yellow tint in the diamond will be easier to spot. But a yellow gold ring, on the other hand, does a good job of masking diamond color and allows you to go lower in color grade (as low as K color), with the diamond still appearing colorless.

If you’re buying an E color diamond, however, there are zero concessions necessary in terms of ring settings. An E color diamond will appear colorless in any setting style or metal type.

E Color Diamond Pricing

As we mentioned above, E color diamonds are slightly less expensive than D color diamonds, with the D and E color diamonds we used for our visual comparison differing in price by only about three percent. 

However, as you start going further down the color scale from the E and F range, the cost of diamonds begins to drop quite quickly.

For example, the G color diamond we featured above is $4,010 — a full $490, or 10%, cheaper than the equivalent E color diamond. 

The I color diamond from James Allen that we mentioned above, which is certainly colorless enough to look great in a white gold or platinum ring, is cheaper still at $2,940. 

That’s a saving of $1,560, or about 34% of the price of the E color diamond, all for a diamond that looks virtually identical in any setting (except a halo) outside a gemological lab. 

As we’ve covered before, whenever you save money on one feature of a diamond, such as its color, you increase the amount that you’re able to spend on a more important feature, such as the diamond cut quality or its carat weight.

These are both much more visible quality factors for a diamond than its color. Instead of paying for an E color grade, dropping down to a G or H color grade (or, for some settings, even an I or J color grade) can result in you buying a more appealing diamond for the same price. 

We’ve explained this in more detail below, along with our recommendations for round diamonds, other diamond shapes and specific engagement ring settings. 

Should You Buy an E Color Diamond?

As a general rule, we don’t think it’s worth overpaying for diamond color. This means that there aren’t very many situations in which we’d recommend buying an E color diamond over one with a lower color grade.

If you’re absolutely set on buying a diamond that’s as close to colorless as possible, buying an E color diamond (or even a D color diamond) will definitely get you a highly white, transparent diamond. 

However, this just isn’t necessary — at this point, color is an expensive feature you likely won’t ever notice in real life. 

Instead, a better approach is to buy a diamond with the lowest color grade that will still appear colorless in relation to its setting. We’ve listed our recommendations for this below, with options for a variety of diamond shapes and setting types.

For Round Diamonds

For round diamonds, spending extra for an E color diamond just isn’t necessary. The round cut does a great job of concealing a diamond’s color, meaning diamonds of lower color grades look virtually identical to those in the D, E and F range.

For white metals such as white gold or platinum, we recommend choosing a round diamond in the H to J color range. The I color round diamond from James Allen we mentioned earlier is a fantastic choice for any white metal, offering a colorless appearance at a lower price than an E color diamond. 

For colored metals like yellow or rose gold, you can drop down to the J to K range. While any diamond in this range will look slightly yellow, even to the naked eye, the color of the gold will make any diamond look slightly colored anyway, meaning this is a non-issue. 

For Other Diamond Shapes

While there’s nothing wrong with buying an E color fancy shape diamond, doing so isn’t a good idea if your goal is to achieve the optimal combination of aesthetics and value for money. 

For Asscher, emerald and princess cut diamonds set in white metals, we typically recommend choosing something in the G to I color range. These diamond cuts all conceal color quite well, meaning a diamond from this range will appear colorless in its setting.

For the above diamond shapes in a yellow or rose gold setting, it’s alright to go down to the J to K range without the diamond appearing overly yellow in relation to its setting.

For all other diamond shapes, we recommend the F to H color grades for white gold or platinum rings, or the I to J color grades for yellow or rose gold settings. 

Where To Buy E Color Diamonds

For buying any diamond, it’s important to shop with a reputable vendor, one you can be confident is not going to rip you off by convincing you to overpay for a poor-quality diamond.

This is even more important if you’re in the market for an E color diamond, as the price difference, coupled with a negligible difference to the naked eye, means it’s easy to be duped into paying an E diamond price for a diamond that’s really several grades lower.

We recommend James Allen or Blue Nile for any diamond purchase. These two retailers carry a huge range of GIA-certified diamonds, meaning you can be confident the diamond you’re getting comes with a fair and accurate grade.

Both James Allen and Blue Nile also provide shoppers with excellent diamond inspection tools, such as high-quality, 360° images, to help you inspect every part of a diamond before committing to a decision.

FAQs About E Color Diamonds

Totally recommended. Quick responses, concrete and specific advice, something and someone you can rely on to make such an important decision.

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Gio

Apr 1, 2023

Diamonds Pro helped us pick a diamond, according to our budget and a few other criteria. We ended up buying a loose diamond from James Allen. We felt that we got very good value for money. The diamond was appraised by another jeweler where we live, confirming its characteristics and value. Finally, we had the diamond set in a ring by a local jeweler, and we’re very pleased with the result! Thank you Diamonds Pro 😊

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Mikeela Teaquila

Dec 26, 2022

Need Help Finding an E Color Diamond?

While E color diamonds can look extremely colorless and beautiful, the differences between an E color diamond and a diamond with a G or H color grade are almost impossible to identify with the naked eye and generally aren’t worth the extra money.

This is also true for D and F diamonds, which look undeniably beautiful but command a massive price premium compared to diamonds in the G to J range. 

As we mention in our guide to diamond color, a diamond’s color shouldn’t take a front seat in your diamond purchasing decision. Instead, pick a diamond with the highest cut quality, then choose a color grade that ensures it looks colorless in relation to its setting. 

If you need more help, feel free to contact us. We can help you find the highest quality diamond for your budget and tastes.

Here are more specific color topics to browse:

• Is diamond color or diamond clarity more important?
• What is diamond color and diamond color scale?
• What is an D color diamond?
• What is a F color diamond?
• What is a G color diamond?
• What is an H color diamond?
• What is an I color diamond?
• What is a J color diamond?
• What is a K color diamond?
• How to evaluate lab-diamond colors
• Is diamond fluorescence under UV light good or bad?

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 25% off sitewide at James Allen

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• No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing.Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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What we love about them:

• No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
• Lifetime Warranty
• Free Shipping
• Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
• Provide insurance appraisal
• One free resizing within the first year of purchase
• High quality images of about half of their diamonds
• 24/7 Customer Service
• 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
• Best in class fulfillment

About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.