How to Buy Ring Mounts

Ring mounts are designed to hold stones. They usually consist of the main circular portion of the ring with prongs at the top center made to hold a primary stone. Ring mounts are commonly used to hold solitaire diamonds. They may be a solid metal, such as gold or silver, or they may contain smaller gemstones within the metal. If you already have a gemstone, but need a ring to put it in, a ring mount is a necessity. You may also wish to switch your gem from its current mount to a new one. Here are some tips for finding ring mounts.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Method of payment
• Shipping address

Instructions

1. Choose the type of ring mount you would like. You should decide between sterling silver, yellow gold, white gold or platinum. You can also choose ring mounts that have smaller gemstones, such as tiny diamonds, set in the them.

2. Search for online stores that sell ring mounts. There are a variety of online jewelers, such as PrimeStyle and Adiamor, which offer ring mounts of various designs. Browse the ring-mount choices from their online inventories. Most jewelers will allow you to choose the type of metal for the ring mount. If you find a design you like in 14K gold, they will most likely be able to sell you one in platinum, if you wish.

3. Decide on a ring mount appropriate for the stone you have in mind. Just like stones have various cuts, ring mounts come in a variety of different sizes to accommodate them, such as pear-shaped, princess-shaped and oval-shaped mounts. You also need to ensure that the metal is strong enough to support the center stone. Platinum and titanium are among the strongest metals for ring mounts, while silver and low-quality gold are among the weakest.

4. Opt for a ring mount with more claws if your stone is particularly large, generally over one carat. More claws or prongs means more security for your stone. After the stone has been mounted into the ring, ensure that it is secure. There should be no wiggle room between the stone and the claws.

5. Choose a ring mount that allows a good amount of light to shine through to the stone. Plentiful light will showcase the gem's quality. If your center stone is poor quality, opt for a ring mount that partially obscures the stone, such as a bezel setting.

6. Consider custom-designed ring mounts from both traditional and online stores. Many jewelry stores will be able to make a custom ring mount exactly to your specifications. This is ideal if you have a firm idea of your perfect ring, as it will most certainly be an original if custom-made.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to think about your particular gemstone in relation to prospective ring mounts. While a certain ring mount may be beautiful on its own, it might not be a good fit for your stone.

• Avoid purchasing ring mounts from street vendors. It's likely that the jewelry they sell is not authentic.

Resources

• PrimeStyle
• Adiamor
• Natalie's Diamonds