HOW DO I CLEAN MY ENGAGEMENT RING?

The care and cleaning of your engagement ring is highly important, as it is a valuable investment that doesn't come cheap.

Whether you have chosen a gold or platinum ring setting, neither metal will tarnish. Platinum is much more resistant to damage but can be relatively difficult to repair due to its strength and density. Gold on the other hand is very malleable and therefore easy to repair, and scratches can be removed without difficulty. Scratches to platinum can be removed with a quick polish, but many people actually prefer the sheen that the scratches create.

The task of caring for your diamond is also quite simple. The most important thing to remember is not to store your engagement ring with other jewelry, especially other diamond jewelry. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, but a diamond will scratch another diamond. Perhaps use a cloth pouch for each individual item, or a jewelry box with internal dividers to keep each item separate.

Next, be careful not to expose the ring to chemicals, even seemingly harmless substances like furniture polish and hairspray. And never wear a diamond ring while you're doing heavy or manual work because points may chip and loosen a setting.

Ideally you should get a professional jeweller to check your engagement ring for damage at least one a year. It is also a good idea to get the jeweller to professionally clean it - this is crucial if the stone's fire and brilliance is to be preserved. As well as this, use the tips below to clean the ring yourself - this should be done every couple of months, or whenever you feel your ring is losing its lustre.

AMMONIA

Soak the ring in a bowl containing one part household ammonia and four parts warm water for no more than ten minutes. Remove the ring and gently tap around the front and back of the mounting with a soft brush, then dip back into the solution, rinse well with water and drain on tissue paper.

MILD LIQUID DETERGENT

Bathe the ring in a bowl of warm, soapy water made with a mild liquid detergent for around thirty minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove any dirt then rinse under warm running water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

JEWELRY CLEANERS

Use any good, brand name liquid jewelry cleaner and follow the instruction carefully.

VODKA!

Simply soak the diamond in a glass of vodka until it sparkles.