Interchangeable semi-mount ring system and method for selling rings

Abstract

A semi-mount ring system includes a set of semi-mount shanks and a set of semi-mount heads. Each semi-mount shank includes a substantially similar head mounting mechanism. Each semi-mount head includes a stone mounting mechanism, one or more stones or the like secured within the stone mounting mechanism, and a substantially similar shank mounting mechanism. The head mounting mechanism of the shanks and the shank mounting mechanism of the heads are of a mating form, thereby allowing any semi-mount head to be detachably secured to any semi-mount shank to form a ring that has the appearance of a completed ring. In this fashion, a customer, for example, may select a custom ring and view the ring in its final form before the ring is completed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 693,150, filed on Jun. 23, 2005, by Eli Savransky, entitled, “INTERCHANGEABLE SEMI-MOUNT RING,” the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to semi-mount rings, and in particular, to a ring system that includes semi-mount shanks that can be interchangeably connected with semi-mount heads having stones or the like secured therein and to methods for selling rings. [0004] 2. Description of the Art [0005] A ring, such as an engagement ring, may include a shank, a head secured to the shank, and a focal stone, such as a diamond, secured / mounted within the head. In general, the shank is the portion of the ring that fits around one's finger. The head includes a mechanism, such as a plurality prongs, that holds the focal stone and thereby secures or mounts the stone ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, a jewelry store, department store, vendor at a trade show, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as a retailer) may provide or display to prospective customers for example, a plurality of semi-mount shanks of different styles and a plurality of semi-mount heads each with a focal stone or the like pre-mounted therein of a different type, size, and/or style, for example. According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of semi-mount shanks provided or displayed by the retailer has a substantially identical head mounting mechanism, irrespective of how the remainder of the shank is shaped or designed. Similarly, each of the plurality of semi-mount heads provided or displayed by the retailer has a substantially identical shank mounting mechanism, irrespective of the type, style, and/or size of the stone pre-mounted therein. In addition, the head mounting mechanism and shank mounting mechanism of each of the provided or displayed shanks and heads are of a mating-form, as described above. In this way and according to an embodiment of the invention, a retailer may provide or display to prospective customers different semi-mou

Problems solved by technology

Nonetheless, selling rings in this fashion has several drawbacks.

Similarly, the customer often has difficulty viewing the ring because the jeweler often has difficulty holding the focal stone steady in the shank or head.

In addition, because the focal stone is not secured to the shank, the customer is not able to easily handle the ring or place the ring on a

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