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Bottom Line Recommendation About E Color Diamonds
E color diamonds, representing a premium yet more affordable alternative to D color, cater to those who value high color purity without the top-tier price. The price of 1.00 carat E color ranges from $3,650 to $11,000. In settings like yellow or rose gold, or when budget is a concern, slightly lower color grades such as this F or G offer beautiful options with substantial savings. These grades provide a colorless appearance to the naked eye, balancing beauty and cost.
Check my favorite retailer here for exceptional deals on E color natural diamonds. For a wide variety and outstanding selection, be sure to also explore the offerings at this well-known retailer.
Lab-grown E color diamonds, mirroring the visual appeal of their natural counterparts, are an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers, ranging from $600 to $2,800 per carat . They share the same chemical and optical properties but are more budget-friendly. Regardless, inspecting them to ensure they are colorless and free from any grey-blue tints is crucial.
For high-quality E color lab-grown diamonds, I highly recommend this retailer, my personal favorite for its exceptional range. If you’re seeking more budget-friendly choices, make sure to explore the options at this cost-effective retailer as well.
My top picks for E color
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Table of Contents
E color diamonds, known for their excellent color quality, occupy a respected position just below the top of the color scale. This article will explore the characteristics, market value, and buying considerations for E color diamonds, helping potential buyers make informed decisions.
What is an E Color Diamond?
E color diamonds are just a step below D on the color grading scale, known for their exceptional colorlessness with nearly no trace of color. These diamonds are a favored choice for their pristine appearance, falling within the top tier of the colorless range. Their rarity and quality make them a sought-after choice, offering a more accessible price point than D color diamonds.
Like D color diamonds, E color diamonds are part of an exclusive group, constituting less than 1% of the global diamond supply. This scarcity and their exceptional color purity place them among the more sought-after gems. Consequently, their rarity and superior quality justify a premium price, underscoring their esteemed status in fine gemstones.
Color Comparison of E Color with Other Colors
E vs D Color
E color diamonds almost match D color diamonds in appearance but are more affordable, offering an excellent option for premium quality at a lower cost. The price difference is around 16.47% in the natural diamonds market. Choosing an E color diamond can bring significant savings or allow for a larger stone. For those interested in these grades, lab-grown diamonds are recommended, as they are more affordable and the price difference between E and D is negligible. You’ll get a much larger and beautiful diamond for the same price.
E vs F Color
The difference between E and F color diamonds is subtle and often indistinguishable to the untrained eye. The price gap in the natural diamonds market is approximately 5.49%. In lab-grown diamonds, I recommend opting for E color over F due to the minimal price difference and superior appearance.
E vs G Color
G color diamonds are near colorless but start to show slight color. The price gap between E and G color natural diamonds is about 23.57%, moving from the colorless to nearly colorless category. A well-chosen G color diamond can appear colorless and provide an icy look similar to higher color grades.
E vs H Color
Moving down to H color, the price significantly drops, but these diamonds still offer a near-colorless appearance. H color is a sweet spot on the color scale, providing a colorless appearance to the naked eye at a lower price. The price gap between natural E and H color diamonds is around 43.27%. For natural diamonds, H color is often recommended. Alternatively, lab-grown diamonds in E-D color can be obtained for the price of an H natural diamond.
E Color Diamonds in Different Settings and Shapes
The setting significantly influences the appearance of an E color diamond. Yellow and rose gold settings can subtly alter its perceived color, slightly diminishing its colorless quality. White gold or platinum settings, on the other hand, enhance and preserve the colorless appearance of E color diamonds.
In terms of shape, round diamonds enhance the sparkly and icy look and hide minor color variations due to their exceptional sparkle and brilliance. Conversely, shapes with larger tables or fewer facets, such as emerald or Asscher cuts, are more likely to reveal subtle color differences, as they don’t mask tints as effectively.
E Color Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown E color diamonds represent an ideal balance of affordability and high quality, matching the properties of natural diamonds. They provide a budget-friendly way to access a superior color grade, making them an attractive option for many. While choosing these diamonds, it’s important to inspect them for any color tints to ensure their appearance aligns with their grading.
In my experience, I often recommend E color lab-grown diamonds to clients for their relative affordability at all carat sizes and their ability to balance quality factors within a reasonable budget. The price difference between D and E color lab-grown diamonds is usually insignificant, making a D color a good choice if found. However, E color diamonds are perfect for those prioritizing a larger carat size or higher clarity without stretching their budget.
E Color Diamond Pricing
In determining the pricing of E color diamonds, clarity and fluorescence play critical roles:
- Clarity: The price decreases as clarity diminishes. Targeting an eye-clean VS1-VS2 diamond is a wise strategy, offering an optimal balance of quality and cost. SI1-SI2 diamonds might be eye-clean and less expensive but require careful selection as some may appear milky or hazy, affecting their sparkle. Higher clarity grades like VVS2 are more expensive due to their rarity.
- Fluorescence: Medium to strong fluorescence can negatively impact the appearance of colorless diamonds, sometimes causing a milky or yellowish appearance under UV light. With E color diamonds, faint fluorescence is preferable as it generally doesn’t change the appearance but can lead to about a 5% price reduction. However, while lowering the cost, strong fluorescence might diminish the diamond’s visual appeal, affecting how the E color grade is perceived outside the certificate.
| Color | Clarity | Fluorescence | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | VS1 | None | $6,920 |
| E | VS1 | Faint | $6,080 |
| E | VS1 | Medium | $5,090 |
| E | VS1 | Strong | $4,740 |
| E | VS2 | None | $6,160 |
| E | VS2 | Faint | $4,800 |
| E | VS2 | Medium | $4,480 |
| E | VS2 | Strong | $4,290 |
How to Buy an E Color Diamond?
When considering an E color diamond, keep these crucial aspects in mind:
- Inspection: Thoroughly inspect the diamond in consistent, reliable lighting to accurately assess its color and clarity. Viewing it from the side is essential to spot any concealed hues that aren’t visible from above, ensuring an accurate evaluation of its quality, which may extend beyond the details mentioned in its certificate.
- Fluorescence: Pay attention to the diamond’s fluorescence. While faint fluorescence generally doesn’t impact the appearance significantly, medium to strong fluorescence can give the diamond a milky or yellowish look under UV light, influencing its color perception.
- Metal Setting: Choose the metal setting with care. White gold or platinum settings enhance the colorless quality of E color diamonds, unlike yellow or rose gold, which might influence their color.
- Diamond Shape and Cut Quality: The shape and cut are important as they can affect color perception. Round cuts excellently mask subtle color variations, while shapes like emerald or Asscher are more revealing.
- Surrounding Diamonds: In multi-stone settings, the color quality of the center stone should be equal to or better than the surrounding diamonds to maintain its prominence and enhance the engagement ring’s overall appeal.
Conclusion: Is E Color Diamond Right for You?
Deciding if an E color diamond is the right choice depends heavily on your preferences and budget. Recognized as a premium grade, E color diamonds offer exceptional color quality. While they come at a premium price, they are relatively more affordable than the top-tier D color diamonds. This makes them ideal for those seeking high-quality color in a diamond without the highest possible cost.
In certain settings, like yellow or rose gold, or when the budget is a significant consideration, opting for slightly lower color grades like G-H can still result in substantial savings. These alternatives aren’t as premium as colorless diamonds, yet they appear colorless to the untrained eye.
For those aspiring to own an E color diamond but constrained by budget, lab-created diamonds are a compelling choice. These diamonds maintain the same chemical and optical qualities as their natural counterparts but are more accessible price-wise. It’s essential, however, to inspect these diamonds thoroughly to confirm their true colorlessness and to check for any grey-blue tints that may be present. Overall, E color diamonds represent premium quality and relative affordability, making them a smart choice for many buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an E-Color Diamond Good?
Yes, an E-color diamond is considered very good. It falls within the colorless range, just one step below the highest grade, D. E-color diamonds provide a high level of color purity, making them an excellent choice for those seeking premium quality without the absolute top price of a D color diamond.
What is the Color of the Diamond E?
The color of an E diamond is classified as colorless. It is almost completely devoid of any color, with only minute traces detectable under specific conditions. This makes it one of the highest color grades available in diamonds.
Is a VVS2 E Color Good?
A VVS2 E color diamond is considered an excellent choice, with extremely high color and clarity grades. The combination of a high color grade (E) with a very, very slightly included (VVS2) clarity means the diamond has minimal inclusions and is nearly perfect in terms of color, making it a high-quality and valuable choice.
Is E VS1 Diamond Good?
Yes, an E VS1 diamond is a very good choice. It offers a colorless appearance with very slight inclusions (VS1) that are not typically visible to the naked eye. This balance of color and clarity makes it a desirable and valuable option.
Is E VS2 a Good Diamond?
E VS2 diamonds are a good choice when picked right. They offer a colorless appearance with slight inclusions that are usually not visible without magnification. This makes them a valuable option for those who prioritize color quality and are comfortable with minor inclusions.
Can You Tell the Difference Between E and D Colors?
The difference between E and D color diamonds is very subtle and often indiscernible to the untrained eye. Both fall within the colorless range, with D being absolutely colorless and E having only minute traces of color. The distinction is usually noticeable only under professional examination.
