I do not clean my e-ring often. But it doesn't get that dirty cause I don't wear it all the time. Some people constantly clean their stones and others rarely do. My friend tells me that the color letter doesn't matter as much as the other specs. She feels that they all get dirty. So she thinks it is not the best choice to pay extra for a "D" - "F" stone. I may be purchasing a Tiffany ring to put away for DD someday. It would be a very very small one! But you get so much more for an "I" vs an "F". I'm beginning to lean towards an "I". What do you think?