What are E color diamonds? | Rare Carat

Rian here - we’ve written these color grade articles for you to get the nitty gritty on each diamond color grade. You can also get the big picture: view our page on the diamond color grades specific diamond colors. Enjoy!

The details about E Color Diamonds

E is one very small step down the color scale from D (seems legit, sequence wise). An E color diamond is still sitting pretty in that ‘colorless’ range, and so it also carries the hefty price tag found with its D colored cousins.

Of course, you also get the perk of having an icy white diamond, and provided you stick with an ‘excellent’ cut grade chances are you cannot go wrong.

So, what is the difference between a D and E colored diamond I hear you ask?

Trulli — Diamond Color Guide showing Colorless (D, E, F) Near-Colorless (G, H, I, J) and Very Faint Yellow (K, L, M) color range

Not much, frankly. Imagine that you have a large bathtub full of water, and to it you add a half cup of lemon juice. This tiny amount of tinted liquid will not alter the overall color of the water in the bathtub. That’s your D grade diamond. Now imagine adding another half cup of lemon juice. Again, this doesn’t alter the overall tint of the bath water. That’s your E grade diamond.

Here is a chart to help you better understand the color grading scale:

In fact, even for professional gemologists, it’s extremely difficult to tell the difference between a D and an E. In order to spot the subtle difference in color, the diamonds actually need to be placed on their side (or even upside-down) against a stark white background. This is excellent news for you because it means it’s absolutely impossible for anyone to tell the difference between D and E colored diamonds when they are face-up in a ring setting.

So, unless you can tell the difference between these two beauties below, go for the E colored diamond rather than the D colored one, and save yourself some cash!

< D Color Diamonds

F Color Diamonds >

D Color Diamond Buying FAQs

What does the “E-color” grade mean when shopping for a diamond?

An E-color diamond falls within the colorless range. It’s just one step below the top grade (D), so visually it appears white and crisp—yet often at a slightly better value than the very highest grade.

Will I be able to tell the difference between an E‑color diamond and a D‑color diamond when it’s set in a ring?

Probably not—most of the time, no. Even trained gemologists find it hard to spot a difference when the stones are looked at face-up under regular light. That means in everyday wear, an E‑color diamond can look virtually identical to a D‑color stone.

Compared to slightly lower color grades, is an E‑color diamond worth the investment?

Yes—for many buyers, it offers a great middle ground. You get near-perfect color, strong value, and a bright, classic look without paying the highest prices reserved for D‑color stones. In most scenarios, the difference is minimal, but the value jump is noticeable.

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Dr. Rian Mulcahy

Rian is officially a Diamond PhD - just ping us if you’d like to read her fascinating 200-page thesis, titled Facets of Value: An Investigation into the Formation of Worth in the Diamond Market. She has consulted various firms all along the pipeline, from the rough diamond market to the recycled diamond industry. She holds an MA in Globalisation and Development from University College Cork and a PhD in the Sociology of Diamond Valuation from the London School of Economics.