By Gary A.
Edited by Brian M.
Published Aug 8, 2024
Edited on Dec 6, 2024
Wondering whether to buy ‘off the rack’, design from scratch – or whether there’s an alternative? Here’s what you need to know about semi-mounts.
Navigate This Guide:
Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:
Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:
When you’re ready to buy an engagement ring, you have a few options. On the one hand, you can go ‘off the rack’ – in other words, you can buy an entire, ready-made, fit-for-a-proposal ring that looks exactly how you’d expect an engagement ring to look.
On the other, you can take the ‘from scratch’ approach, and work with a jeweler to get a completely unique design drawn up. It’s more expensive – and it takes longer – but it gives you complete control over the entire process. It also means you don’t wind up with what the Joneses are wearing…
Alternatively – and this is a much better option – you can buy your ring and your diamond separately. This means you’ve got control over the most important part of the process – the diamond – and a whole world of options for the ring design.
Semi-mount rings are rings that are complete, aside from the center stone (or stones). In other words, all the metalwork is there, and so are the accent stones – so, any pavé or decorate finishes the ring is going to feature.
So, you’re buying an almost complete engagement ring. The only thing missing is the diamond.
Sure, that’s like a dinner party without the guest of honor, but there’s a great reason for it…
Semi-mount engagement rings make it possible for shoppers to find the perfect design – after all, when they are sold without the diamond at the center, jewelers can offer a much broader range of designs – without losing the freedom to pick the right diamond.
This brings us to the main issue with buying a pre-made ring. Jewelry stores that specialise in ‘ready to wear’ engagement rings can overcharge on inferior diamonds, or prompt shoppers to invest in a diamond that is higher quality than they really need. Think about it, if you fall in love with the design of a ring that’s sold as-seen, you’re pretty likely to have to settle with a diamond you wouldn’t necessarily buy if you had the freedom to choose.
Often, these rings are set with diamonds that have poor clarity or color, or a bad cut that reduces their sparkle. That, or they’ve been graded by a less reputable lab (compared with the GIA), so you never really know exactly what you’re getting.
Even if the grades seem favorable, the price of the diamond will be ‘mixed in’ with the overall cost of the ring. It’s impossible for you to really figure out whether you’ve got a reasonably priced diamond, or whether you’re paying over the odds.
If you’re buying a semi-mount, you can approach the ring’s cost as a tale of two halves – the ring itself, and the diamond. That’s how it needs to be.
So, the main benefit to choosing a semi mount engagement ring is the fact that it leaves the diamond in your hands, rather than anyone else’s. So, how do you make the right choice? You do your research.
First of all, brush up on the Four Cs. Of all the things to know, these are the most important – besides, you know, your future bride’s name.
After that, get your head around proportion and ratio, along with some of the other, smaller elements worth considering, like the culet.
WillYou is all about giving shoppers the resources and knowledge they need to make a strong choice with their diamond, and Jeweler AI is always there to help you the rest of the way.
So, you know what you need to do, but where do you start?
Start as you mean to go on: by treating this as a purchase of two halves.
Focus on the diamond to start with. This should comprise around 80% of your total budget, and it’s arguably the most important part of the whole puzzle. Don’t skip your theory – read up, study, and master the art of choosing a beautiful, impressive diamond without overspending.
After that, do your research on ring styles. Looking for something minimalistic? How about something gothic and classically romantic? A vintage style? Art Deco? Prongs or bezel? Pavé or filigree? If you feel like we’ve just bulldozed you with a ton of unknown words, start with this guide. It’ll show you where you need to go.
Semi-mounts are a great way to get the best of both worlds. Designing an engagement ring from scratch is a daunting, long-winded process that often isn’t necessary, given the enormous range of semi-mount rings available. It’s not hard to find a design that marries together (pun intended) all the elements you want in your engagement ring, and at a lower cost, too.
This way, you have complete control over your diamond and can exercise your new-found knowledge about the Four Cs, proportion and ratio, fluorescence and shape not just to get a beautiful ring, but a reasonable price, too.
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