Like most things in life, your engagement ring needs a little bit of care to keep it in great condition. Whether your engagement ring is a sophisticated classic, or an elaborate masterpiece, it needs to be well looked after.

Here are my 5 simple tips for keeping your engagement ring sparkly and healthy for years to come.

1. Get professional advice about your gemstones

Some gemstones require extra special care to keep them from harm. Soft stones in particular -- such as Opals, Tanzanites and Emeralds -- need delicate treatment to keep them in good shape (literally!).

2. Keep clear of body lotions and moisturisers

Take off your engagement ring when using products such as body lotions and moisturisers. These tend to get into the nooks and crannies of your ring, and make diamonds and gemstones grubby. Avoid getting these products on your ring to keep it looking sparkly.

3. Take it off while doing rough work.

Whether you’re hitting the gym, showing off your ‘green thumb’, or cleaning the dishes after your rugrats, set your engagement ring aside to save it from too many scratches and marks. Better yet, get someone else to clean the dishes!

4. Clean it every so often.

If you do notice the sparkle in your diamonds getting a little dull, give it a clean with some dishwashing detergent, warm water, and a soft toothbrush -- it does wonders! Repeating this once every month or two will help keep it sparkly.

5. Organise regular checkups

Once a year, see your jeweller for a comprehensive checkup, to make sure your engagement ring is in good health. They’ll help spot any early warning signs before they turn into problems.