JP2002086998A - Method and apparatus for marking image information on jewelry or the like as well as jewelry or the like marked with image information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To bring about highest customer's satisfactory degree in which a purchaser of a jewelry or the like such as a diamond or the like recognizes as only one in the world as its owner and more than a scarcity value cannot be desired. SOLUTION: A method for marking an image information on the jewelry or the like comprises the steps of positioning a laser beam output from a laser output unit 20 to be focused at a focal point on an arbitrary surface of the jewelry or the like 10 at relative positions of both by a positioning unit 30. The method further comprises the step of acquiring digital image information marked by an image information acquiring unit 40. The method also comprises the steps of operating the unit 20 in response to acquired marking data by a laser beam controller 50, emitting the beam to the surface of the jewelry or the like 10 to mark the digital image information on the surface of the jewelry or the like 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a jewelry image information marking method applied to jewelry such as diamonds, a jewelry image information marking device, and a jewelry on which image information is marked. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, it is an essential condition for various jewelry that there is no scratch on the surface in order to obtain high quality. Particularly, in the case of transparent or translucent jewelry such as diamond, The absence of scratches on the inside as well as the surface proves to be of high quality. Many people purchase such jewelry such as diamonds as a memorial of engagement or as a memorial of marriage.

[0003] On the other hand, in the case of a ring such as a wedding ring, it is common practice to engrave the two people's initials, the date of marriage, and the like on the back surface to commemorate the ring.

[0004]

However, in the case of jewelry such as diamonds, even if it is known that engraving the diamonds or the like itself will be a memorial to the owner, it will scratch the surface. Since no one wants to impair the beauty of the jewelry, a memorial marking has not been performed on jewelry such as diamonds.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reverse the conventional wisdom as described above, and to apply any surface of jewelry such as diamond to
By marking anniversary image information to the extent that it does not substantially affect quality, buyers of jewelry, such as diamonds, have only one in the world for their owners, and no more rare values An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for marking jewelry image information which can provide undesired highest customer satisfaction, and a jewelry on which image information is marked.

[0006]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 does not substantially affect the quality of jewelry on any surface of jewelry. A jewelry image information marking method for marking the image information on the surface by irradiating a laser according to desired image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction as described above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a digital camera acquires a desired image to be marked as digital image information by capturing the image, and focuses the laser output means on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Positioning, and operating the laser output means based on the digital image information, while controlling the output and irradiation direction of the jewelry without substantially affecting the quality of the jewelry, the digital image information Irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the above, thereby marking an image taken by the digital camera on the surface.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is a method in which a desired photograph to be marked is read by a scanner to perform A / D conversion.
Obtaining the converted digital image information, positioning the laser output means to focus on any surface of the jewelry, operating the laser output means based on the digital image information, By irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of the surface, the surface was read by the scanner. And a step of marking an image of a photograph.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect, the arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry.
This is an image information marking method for jewelry in which marking is performed at a depth equal to or less than the depth at which the evaluation as a blemische can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a means for acquiring desired image information, a laser output means, and a laser beam output from the laser output means are focused on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Means for positioning a relative position between the laser output means and an arbitrary surface of the jewelry, and operating the laser output means based on the image information so as not to substantially affect the quality of the jewelry. Means for irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam in accordance with the image information while controlling its output and irradiation direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera that captures a desired image to be marked and obtains digital image information, a laser output unit, and a laser beam output from the laser output unit. Means for positioning a relative position between the laser output means and an arbitrary surface of the jewelry so as to focus on an arbitrary surface of the jewelry; and operating the laser output means based on the digital image information. By irradiating the laser beam on the arbitrary surface according to the digital image information while controlling its output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of the image, the surface is imaged by the digital camera. And a means for marking a printed image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner for reading a desired photograph to be marked and A / D converting the digital photograph information to obtain digital image information;
Means for positioning a relative position between the laser output means and any surface of the jewelry such that the laser beam output from the laser output means is focused on any surface of the jewelry; Is operated based on the digital image information, and while controlling its output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of jewelry, a laser beam is applied to the arbitrary surface in accordance with the digital image information. Means for marking an image of a photograph read by the scanner on the surface by irradiating the image with the image information.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein the arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry, and at least a table surface includes
This is a jewelry image information marking device that performs marking at a depth equal to or less than the depth at which evaluation as a Blemish can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an arbitrary surface is irradiated with a laser in accordance with desired image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality. It is a jewelry in which image information in which the image information is marked on the surface is marked.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a desired image to be marked is captured by a digital camera to acquire digital image information, and the laser output means is positioned so as to be focused on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Then, the laser output means is operated based on the digital image information, and while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality, the arbitrary surface is controlled in accordance with the digital image information. By irradiating a laser beam, the jewelry is marked with image information in which an image captured by the digital camera is marked on the surface.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a desired photograph to be marked is read by a scanner to perform A / D
Obtaining as converted digital image information, positioning the laser output means to focus on any surface of jewelry, operating the laser output means based on the digital image information, substantially affecting quality By irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information while controlling its output and irradiation direction so as not to affect the image, an image of a photograph read by the scanner is marked on the surface. Jewelry with information marked.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the ninth and tenth aspects.
In the invention according to the eleventh aspect, the arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry, and in the case of at least a table surface, image information marked with a depth equal to or less than a depth that can be evaluated as a Blemish is marked. Jewelry.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a jewelry image information marking device according to the present invention. The jewelry image information marking device 1 includes a girdle as an example from all surfaces of a jewelry 10. The surface of the girdle portion is marked and image information is marked on the surface of the girdle portion by irradiating the surface of the girdle portion with a laser while controlling the output and the irradiation direction according to desired image information.

For this reason, the jewelry image information marking device 1 has a laser output unit 20 and a laser output unit 20 so that the laser beam output from the laser output unit 20 focuses on the surface of the girdle portion of the jewelry 10. Part 20 and jewelry 1
And a positioning unit 30 for positioning a relative position with respect to 0.

Also, a jewelry image information marking device 1
Controls the output and irradiation direction of the laser beam by controlling the operation of the laser output unit 20 based on the obtained image information and the image information obtaining unit 40 that obtains the desired image information to be marked. And a laser beam control unit 50.

The objects of the jewelry 10 include not only natural jewelry such as diamond but also artificial jewelry and synthetic jewelry.

Among these, natural jewelry includes diamond, corundum (ruby, sapphire), beryl (emerald, aquamarine), chrysoberyl (alexandrite, cat's eye), garnet, quartz, spinel, spodumene, zoisite, topaz, tourmaline. , Feldspar, Peridot, Opal, Zircon.

Also, artificial jewelry and synthetic jewelry include:
Artificial diamond, YAG, synthetic emerald, GGG,
Synthetic quartz, cubic zirconia, synthetic alexandrite, synthetic corundum (synthetic ruby, synthetic sapphire), synthetic spinel, strontitanite, moazanite.

The laser output unit 20 is provided with a UV laser oscillator 2
The laser beam oscillated from 1 is supplied to the galvano scanner 2
2 and the fθ lens 23, so that the focal point of the laser beam is focused at a predetermined distance from the fθ lens 23.

The UV laser oscillator 21 has a wavelength of 0.4 μm.
The laser beam oscillates a laser beam having an ultraviolet wavelength of about m (micrometer) or less, and an excimer laser (a rare gas halide excimer laser) can be used. As a laser medium of this kind, for example, if XeCl (xenon chlorine) is used, an ultraviolet wavelength of 0.308 μm is obtained,
In the case of KrF (krypton fluorine), 0.248
An ultraviolet wavelength of μm can be obtained, and an ultraviolet wavelength of 0.193 μm can be obtained with ArF (argon fluorine).

The UV laser oscillator 21 using such an excimer laser (rare gas halide excimer laser) has a very short life of the excited state of the laser medium, so that the pulse width is as short as several tens of nanoseconds (nanoseconds). Although the laser oscillates only with a pulse, it is possible to obtain a very small beam diameter of about 2 μm or less, so that high-quality marking is possible.

The positioning part 30 has a surface of a girdle part for marking the jewelry 10 supported by the support base 31,
The laser output unit 20 is positioned so that the distance between the laser output unit 20 and the fθ lens 23 coincides with the focal length of the fθ lens 23, and can be realized by, for example, moving the support base 31 in the vertical direction. In order to cope with the case where the jewelry 10 is very small, a positioning aid 32 such as a microscope is provided as necessary, and the height of the support base 31 is checked while checking the position using the positioning aid 32. By finely adjusting the height, accurate positioning can be achieved.

The support 31 can be composed of, for example, a fixed holder 33 and a movable holder 34 as shown in FIG. The movable holder 34 is capable of adjusting the distance between the movable holder 34 and the fixed holder 33 by turning the handle 35 so that the screw shaft 36 advances and retreats.
When the tip of the screw shaft 36 presses the fixed holder 33 to the left in the drawing via the spring 37, the jewelry 10 can be held between the fixed holder 33 and the movable holder 34 in a horizontal direction. In this state, the jewelry 10 can be stably held with the surface of the girdle portion to be marked facing upward. Then, in order to ensure the stable holding, it is preferable that at least the tip portions of the fixed holder 33 and the movable holder 34 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

The image information acquisition section 40 captures a desired image (for example, a human image) to be marked and obtains it as digital image information by a digital camera (CCD camera) 41 and / or a desired image to be marked. Reads a photograph (for example, a character image and, if necessary, characters such as the initial character of the person and the date of the anniversary) 43
A scanner 42 is provided for performing D / D conversion and acquiring digital image information.

The image information acquisition section 40 transfers the digital image information (marking data) acquired by the digital camera 41 or the scanner 42 to the laser beam control section 50 via the Internet or another communication line / communication network. Is what you do. When the image information acquisition unit 40 and the laser beam control unit 50 are adjacent to each other, image information (marking data) can be transferred via an appropriate connection cable regardless of a communication line / communication network. It is possible.

The laser beam control unit 50 is substantially composed of a personal computer, and includes a marking data file 51 for storing marking data (digital image information) transferred from the image information acquiring unit 40, and a marking data file 51. A data processing unit 52 that reads marking data from the file 51 and processes the data in accordance with a predetermined program; the data processing unit 52 controls the operation of the laser output unit 20 based on the marking data. .

That is, the laser beam control unit 5
0 indicates that the data processing unit 52 controls the on / off of the output laser beam by the oscillation of the UV laser oscillator 21 and the irradiation direction by the operation of the galvano scanner 22 in accordance with the marking data that is the digital image information. By irradiating the laser beam to the surface of the girdle part of the jewelry 10, the surface of the girdle part of the jewelry 10 is
Marking a desired image (for example, a person image) captured by the digital camera 41 or an image of a photograph 43 (for example, a person image and, if necessary, initial characters of the person, characters of an anniversary date, etc.) read by the scanner 42 It is supposed to.

In order to mark minute image data by controlling the irradiation direction by the operation of the galvano scanner 22, the galvano scanner 22 needs to be minutely moved. Various means can be used as a drive source for realizing such a minute movement. For example, a displacement actuator known as a piezoelectric actuator can be used. Since the piezoelectric actuator can electrically control a minute displacement of about 10 μm or less, the use of the piezoelectric actuator can realize a minute movement of the galvano scanner 22 with high accuracy.

Although fine image data can be marked by such high-precision and minute movement of the galvano-scanner 22, if necessary, the jewelry 10 can be marked in response to the movement of the galvano-scanner 22. Can be moved slightly along the plane to be marked. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the positioning portion 30 is provided with an X that can be slightly moved in an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to each other along a horizontal plane.
The table 30X and the Y table 30Y are provided, and the tables 30X and 30Y are minutely moved with high precision using a motor or an appropriate actuator, so that the jewelry 10 with the support 31 can be minutely moved with high precision. it can.

The movement of the jewelry 10 in response to the movement of the galvano scanner 22 is realized by an appropriate controller (not shown) controlled by the data processor 52 of the laser beam controller 50. It is possible.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, an image to be marked on the jewelry 10 such as a diamond is converted into a digital camera (CCD camera).
An image is captured using the scanner 41 or read using the scanner 42 (step S1).

For example, when marking jewelry 10 such as diamonds commemorating an engagement, marriage, silver marriage, etc., it is preferable to use image information such as a close-up image in which two parties are lined up as marking data. It is also preferable to use, as the marking data, image information obtained by adding characters, numbers, and the like, such as initial characters and the date of marriage, to the image data.

Next, the digital image information (marking data) obtained by this imaging or reading is
The data is transferred to the laser beam control unit 50 and stored in the marking data file 51 (step S2).

On the other hand, the jewelry 10 such as diamond is set on the support table 31 of the positioning unit 30, and the surface of the girdle part on which the jewelry 10 is marked and the laser output unit 2
The positioning part 30 is operated so that the distance between the fθ lens 23 and the fθ lens 23 is equal to the focal length of the fθ lens 23, and the relative position between the jewelry 10 such as diamond and the laser output part 20 (of the fθ lens 23). (Step S1)
1). At this time, if necessary, the position of the support table 31 is finely adjusted while confirming the position using a positioning aid 32 such as a microscope, so that the positioning accuracy is increased.

In this way, the preparation of the marking data (digital image information) and the jewelry such as diamond 10
When the preparation for positioning is completed, the laser beam control unit 50 is operated (step S12).

Then, the laser beam control unit 50
First, the data processing unit 52 reads marking data (digital image information) from the marking data file 51 (step S13).

Next, the data processing section 52 oscillates the UV laser oscillator 21 in accordance with the marking data, controls the oscillation, and controls the operation of the galvano scanner 22 (step S1).
4).

Therefore, the on / off of the output laser beam by the oscillation of the UV laser oscillator 21 and the irradiation direction of the output laser beam by the operation of the galvano scanner 22 are controlled in accordance with the marking data. In response, the jewelry 10 is minutely moved along the plane to be marked in response to the movement of the galvano scanner 22, whereby the jewelry 10 such as a diamond is moved.
The image of the marking data (digital image information) is laser-marked on the surface of the girdle portion to be marked (step S15).

That is, the jewelry 10 is, for example, shown in FIG.
In the case of a round brilliant cut diamond as shown in (a) and (b), among the girdles G formed on the entire peripheral side surface from the table surface A through the star facet B, the bezel facet C, and the upper girdle facet D, Surface position Gc adjacent to the tip of the bezel facet C, or surface position Gd adjacent to the tip of the joining ridge of the two upper girdle facets D1 and D2
It is preferable to perform laser marking. This is because, among the girdles G, the surface position Gc or Gd has the highest height, and therefore, it is least likely to restrict the height of the image to be marked.

FIG. 5 shows the surface position Gc of the girdle G in a round brilliant cut diamond.
3 shows an example in which a close-up image of two parties commemorating an engagement, marriage, silver marriage, or the like is laser-marked as the marking data M. However, the size of the marking data M shown in FIG. 5 is shown for easy illustration for illustrative purposes, and does not indicate the actual size.

The size of the marking data M depends on the size of the jewelry 10 such as a diamond, but as a guide, the size is 50 μm * 50 μm to 300 μm.
A size of about m * 300 μm is preferred. With this size, the girdle portion of the jewelry 10 such as a diamond can be marked sufficiently.

For the owner who knows that there is a commemorative marking on the girdle part, the contents of the marking can be confirmed at any time using an appropriate tool such as a loupe, and the meaning of the commemorative mark can be confirmed. And immerse yourself in happy feelings.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the jewelry 10 such as diamonds commemorating engagement, marriage, silver marriage, etc. is marked is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When commemorating the honor, it is also preferable to mark the jewelry 10 for the commemoration. In any case, the memorial meaning can be permanently left on any surface (for example, the surface of the girdle portion) that does not affect the quality of the jewelry 10 such as diamond.

In the above embodiment, the jewelry 10
In the girdle G, a surface position Gc adjacent to the end of the bezel facet C or a surface position Gd adjacent to the end of the joining ridge of the two upper girdle facets D1 and D2 is exemplified. However, the marking is not limited to this, and any surface position other than the surface position Gc or Gd may be marked on the girdle G. In that case, it is necessary to mark a horizontally long image. It is suitable, and also in the case of an arbitrary cut other than the round brilliant cut (for example, emerald cut), it is possible to mark at an arbitrary surface position on the girdle G.

In the above embodiment, the jewelry 10
As an example, a diamond is illustrated, and marking on the girdle G is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, depending on the type of the jewelry 10, there is a case where there is no portion called “girdle”. In that case,
A similar effect can be achieved by selecting an appropriate surface location on the surface of the jewelry that does not substantially affect its quality even with slight scratches, and marking that location. is there.

Further, the present invention is applicable to a case where the jewelry 10 is a diamond with a round brilliant cut.
The marking position is not limited to the girdle G. That is, in the round brilliant cut diamond as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is possible to mark not only the star facet B, the bezel facet C, and the upper girdle facet D but also the table surface A.

Of these, the table surface A is most likely to be marked by scratches due to marking, but is evaluated by a diamond appraisal as BLEMISH (that is, although it is not strictly a scratch, it is substantially not scratched). In other words, a marking that is of such a degree that it is not regarded as a scratch in any sense) does not substantially affect the quality of the diamond and can be adopted as a marking position.

In addition to the table surface A, the star facet B, the bezel facet C, the upper girdle facet D, the girdle G, and all other surfaces were evaluated as Blemish (BLEMISH) as the degree of marking. It is preferable that the markings are of a certain degree. However, since the other surface is less noticeable than the table surface A, the degree of the marking is changed to Blemish (BLE)
Even if the scratch exceeds MISH), it is permissible as long as it does not substantially affect the quality of the diamond. Furthermore, even if the value deviates from a range that does not substantially affect quality, it may be acceptable depending on conditions.

In the above-described embodiment, an excimer laser (rare gas halide excimer laser) is exemplified as the UV laser oscillator 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and characteristics required for wavelength and beam diameter can be obtained. Any appropriate laser medium can be used.

For example, a 0.355 μm wavelength produced by mixing a YAG laser beam (a fundamental wave wavelength of 1.064 μm), which is a solid-state laser, and a second harmonic (a wavelength of 0.532 μm) produced by a wavelength conversion crystal. It is also possible to use the third harmonic.

[0057]

As described above, the present invention can be applied to any surface of jewelry while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of the jewelry, according to the desired image information. By irradiating the laser, the image information is marked on the surface, so it is applied to jewelry commemorating engagement, marriage, silver marriage, etc., and jewelry commemorating medal or other social honor. This has the effect that the meaning of the memorial can be permanently left on any surface of various jewelry such as diamonds.

Moreover, since the content to be marked is image information, the meaning of the commemorative can be expressed in a more enriched content than, for example, information of simple letters and numbers, and as a result, similarities can be obtained. As a souvenir without a thing,
There is an effect that the owner can be brought to the highest customer satisfaction in which no more rare value can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image information marking device for jewelry.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a support base.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a round brilliant cut diamond as an example of jewelry.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view of an essential part showing an example in which image information is marked on a girdle of a diamond that has been round brilliant cut.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Jewelry image information marking device 10 Jewelry (diamond) 20 Laser output part 21 UV laser oscillator 22 Galvano scanner 23 fθ lens 30 Positioning part 31 Supporting stand 32 Positioning auxiliary tool such as microscope 33 Fixed holder 34 Movable holder 35 Handle 36 Screw shaft 37 Spring 40 Image information acquisition unit 41 Digital camera (CCD camera) 42 Scanner 43 Photograph 50 Laser beam control unit 51 Marking data file 52 Data processing unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. Irradiating a laser on any surface of jewelry according to desired image information while controlling output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of jewelry. A method for marking image information on jewelry, comprising marking the image information on the surface. 2. A desired image to be marked,
Acquiring digital image information by imaging with a digital camera; positioning laser output means so as to focus on an arbitrary surface of jewelry; operating the laser output means based on the digital image information By irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of the jewelry, Marking an image picked up by a digital camera. 3. A desired photograph to be marked,
Obtaining a digital image information obtained by A / D conversion by reading with a scanner; positioning the laser output means so as to focus on an arbitrary surface of jewelry; and setting the laser output means to the digital image information. By operating based on, and controlling the output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of jewelry, by irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information, Marking a photographic image read by the scanner on the surface. 4. The arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry, and in the case of at least a table surface, the surface is marked with a depth equal to or less than a depth that can be evaluated as a Blemish. 2. The method for marking image information of jewelry according to item 2 or 3. 5. A means for obtaining desired image information; a laser output means; and a laser output means, such that a laser beam output from the laser output means is focused on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Means for positioning a relative position with respect to an arbitrary surface of the jewelry; operating the laser output means based on the image information, and changing its output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality of the jewelry. Means for irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam in accordance with the image information while controlling the image information. 6. A digital camera that captures a desired image to be marked and obtains digital image information, a laser output unit, and a laser beam output from the laser output unit is focused on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Means for positioning a relative position between the laser output means and an arbitrary surface of the jewelry, and operating the laser output means based on the digital image information to substantially reduce the quality of the jewelry. Means for marking an image captured by the digital camera on the surface by irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to affect the surface. And an image information marking device for jewelry, comprising: 7. A scanner for reading a desired photograph to be marked and performing A / D conversion to obtain digital image information, a laser output unit, and a laser beam output from the laser output unit is an arbitrary jewelry. Means for positioning a relative position between the laser output means and an arbitrary surface of the jewelry so as to focus on the surface; and operating the laser output means based on the digital image information to improve the quality of the jewelry. By irradiating the laser beam to the arbitrary surface according to the digital image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to have a substantial effect, the image of the photograph read by the scanner on the surface Marking means for marking jewelry. 8. The arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry, and in the case of at least a table surface, the surface is marked with a depth equal to or less than a depth at which evaluation as a Blemish is obtained. 8. The jewelry image information marking apparatus according to claim 6, 6 or 7. 9. Irradiating a laser in accordance with desired image information while controlling the output and the irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality on an arbitrary surface, whereby the image information is applied to the surface. Jewelry marked with image information characterized by the marking. 10. A digital camera obtains digital image information by capturing a desired image to be marked with a digital camera, and positions a laser output means so as to focus on an arbitrary surface of jewelry. Operating on the basis of the digital image information and irradiating the arbitrary surface with a laser beam according to the digital image information while controlling its output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality. A jewelry marked with image information, characterized in that an image picked up by the digital camera is marked on the surface. 11. A digital photograph information obtained by A / D conversion by reading a desired photograph to be marked with a scanner, and positioning a laser output means so as to focus on an arbitrary surface of jewelry; While operating the laser output means based on the digital image information and controlling its output and irradiation direction so as not to substantially affect the quality, a laser beam is applied to the arbitrary surface in accordance with the digital image information. The jewelry is marked with image information, characterized in that the surface is marked with an image of a photograph read by the scanner. 12. The arbitrary surface includes all surfaces of jewelry, and in the case of at least a table surface, the surface is marked with a depth equal to or less than a depth that can be evaluated as a Blemish. Jewelry on which image information described in 9, 10 or 11 is marked.