US20030000249A1

US20030000249A1 - Gem setting having a securing member

Info

Publication number: US20030000249A1
Application number: US09/894,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Setrak Djihanian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-28
Filing date: 2001-06-28
Publication date: 2003-01-02

Abstract

A reliable securing member for mounting a gemstone within a piece of jewelry. The securing member having an opening therein that receives a gemstone and displays the gemstone through a cavity within a piece of jewelry such as a ring. The securing member is then attached to an inner surface of a piece of jewelry by use of at least an extension means in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, soldering.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of gem settings in general, and particularly to a securing member that is used to maintain a gem in a secure fashion in a piece of jewelry without obscuring the luster of the gem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gem setting normally comprise a number of metal prongs or legs radiating from a base, ends of the prongs to be bent over and hold captive a stone, without unduly concealing the stone's surface. A conventional method for forming settings for jewels and the like involves soldering to a shank of a ring on opposing sides of the jewel. A faceted gemstone or the like is then forced into the opposing prongs which are then bent over to maintain the gemstone therein.

The prong settings have several drawbacks. The prongs can be caught on items of clothing and separated from its secure connecting with the gemstone and as a result the gemstone will be loosened or lost. In addition, using the prong system especially with larger gemstones or odd shaped gemstones requires the prongs to have a longer length and results in less force being exerted upon the gemstone. Furthermore, the longer length of the prongs also decreases the leverage thereof and it becomes more susceptible to torsional forces.

The prior art does not address the need for using a gemstone setting that is able to securely maintain the gemstone within a piece of jewelry. In addition, the prior art fails to provide an inexpensive way of maintaining the gemstone within the setting. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of gemstone settings that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, efficient in its construction and use, and eliminates the accidental loosening or loss of gemstones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a secure gemstone setting to prevent the loosening thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a secure gemstone setting to prevent the loss thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a secure gemstone setting that is easy to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gemstone setting that is cost effective to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gemstone setting that prevents the prying apart of the prongs.

In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique gemstone setting is herein disclosed. A securing member has an opening therethrough that may be adapted to receive and retain a gemstone of any shape therein. A piece of jewelry has a cavity defined by a first edge thereof. Said first edge defining a cavity of sufficient size and shape to receive and retain a gemstone therein yet allowing display thereof through said cavity. At least a prong connecting the securing member to the piece of jewelry such that the gemstone is maintained between the first edge of the piece of jewelry and the securing member.

Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. [0013]
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: [0014]
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first member. [0015]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first member also illustrating the attachment thereof to a first element. [0016]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first element. [0017]
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a first member as attached to a second member illustrating the first element and gemstone therein. [0018]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second member. [0019]
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a piece of jewelry illustrating the first element therein. [0020]
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway elevational view of a piece of jewelry illustrating the attachment of the first element therein. [0021]
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating the attachment of the first element to a piece of jewelry. [0022]
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the first member. [0023]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the first member.[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, [0025] 3, 4, and 5, therein is illustrated a first member 10 for receiving a gemstone 12 therein. Gemstone 12 may any article that is to be maintained within first member 10 such as, but not limited to, a precious, semi-precious, or non-precious stone. For purposes of illustration, but not limitation, gemstone 12 may be a diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, tanzanite, peridot, citrine, or cubic zirconia. It is also to be understood that the shape and the size of gemstone of 12 may vary and are not limited. First member 10 has an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16 whereby a cavity 18 is axially defined by inner surface 16 and extending therethrough.
[0026] Inner surface 16 and outer surface 14 are joined at a first edge 20 and a second edge 22 at opposing ends thereof. First edge 20 and second edge 22 also define cavity 18. First edge 20 is sufficiently smaller in diameter than second edge 22 such that gemstone 12 may be inserted through second edge 22 yet received and maintained by first edge 20 within cavity 18. At least an extension 24 extends from inner surface 16 and is substantially axially parallel with cavity 18 and is preferably more proximal to first edge 20 and extends towards second edge 22. In another preferred embodiment, there are at least two extensions 24; however, there may be a plurality of extensions 24 as required.
After a [0027] gemstone 12 is received within first edge 20, a first element 26 is attached to extension 24 in a plane that is perpendicular thereto. First element 26 is preferably a thin elongated member that is enclosed upon itself to define an opening 28 therein. First element 26 is attached to extension 24 in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, soldering. The size and shape of first element 26 may be altered to accommodate any size or shaped gemstone 12 within opening 28 such that gemstone 12 does not pass completely therethrough.
In addition, [0028] extensions 24 may also be bent such that they are angled inwardly so that the distance between opposing extensions 24 is less than the distance between opposing sides of first edge 20. In such an arrangement, a bottom end 30 that is distal to a top end 32 of gemstone 12 may be accommodated by an opening 28 of first element 26 having a smaller diameter than cavity 18 of first member 10. Accordingly, first element 26 acts as a securing member to maintain gemstone 12 in a setting in a secure fashion such that extensions 24 are not easily pried open and their grip on gemstone 12 is not defeated. In such an arrangement, gemstone 12 cannot fall out of the setting as a result of the failure of extensions 24.
In a preferred embodiment, a [0029] second member 34 is adapted to receive first member 10 therein. Second member 34 has a first end 36 and a second end 38 interconnected by a middle portion 40. First end 36 and second end 38 are bent around middle portion 40 such that they oppose one another to form a gap 42 therebetween. First member 10 is adapted to be received within gap 42 and to be securely attached to first end 36 and second end 38. In such an arrangement, an aperture 44 is defined by first end 36, middle portion 40, second end 38, and first member 10. Aperture 44 may be of sufficient size to accommodate a finger, a wrist, an ankle, or a neck of a user therein. In other words, first member 10 may be adapted to fit onto any piece of jewelry such as, but not limited to, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, or a brochure.
[0030] First member 10 may also have at least a protrusion 46 extending from outer surface 14 thereof and being adapted to be received within a corresponding recess 48 on at least first end 36 and second end 38 for a more secure attachment. First member 10 and second member 34 may be connected in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, soldering or adhesives. The various parts of first member 10, second member 34, and first element 26 may be of any precious, semi-precious or non-precious materials, such as but not limited to, platinum, gold, silver, metals, and various alloys. The type of material used for first member 10, second member 34, and first element 26 are not critical to the invention and are interchangeable.
Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in another preferred embodiment, [0031] first member 10 and second member 34 may be one integral unit whereby they may be cast in one unitary piece without the requirement of a connection therebetween. In such an embodiment, cavity 18 is again defined by first edge 20 and extends through second edge 22. At least an extension 24 extends from inner surface 16 and is adapted to maintain first element 26 in the same horizontal plane as first edge 20 such that cavity 18 and opening 28 are axially aligned. Gemstone 12 may now be secured within and partially through cavity 18 as previously described.
Now referring to FIG. 8, in a rear view it is illustrated that [0032] gemstone 12 is securely maintained by extensions 24 and first element 26. It can be appreciated that cavity 18 may be adapted to accommodate a gemstone 12 that is cut in any shape that is known in the art or yet to be developed. In addition, first element 26 may also be adapted to accommodate and securely retain a gemstone 12 that is cut in any shape that is known in the art or yet to be developed.
Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment for [0033] first member 10. First edge 20 receives and maintains gemstone 12 within cavity 18. At least an extension 24 extends from second edge 22 and is adapted to receive first element 26 thereon to secure bottom end 30 of gemstone 12 within opening 28. In addition, an attaching member 50 is secured to outer surface 14 of first member 10 such that a hole is defined by attaching member 50. A elongated member (not shown) such as a chain may be passed through hole 52 of attaching means 50 such that first member 10 may be worn as a pendant around the neck of a user. In addition, a plurality of first members 10 may be interconnected to form a loop that may be worn around the finger, wrist, ankle, belly, or neck of a user.
While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. [0034]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gem setting apparatus, comprising

a first member defining a cavity to receive a gemstone therein; and

a first element for securely maintaining said gemstone within said first member.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first member has a first edge and a second edge interconnected by an outer surface and an inner surface, whereby said first edge, said second edge and said inner surface define said cavity and said first edge having a smaller diameter than said second edge such that said gemstone is passed through said second edge and retained within said first edge.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein at least an extension is attached to said inner surface connects to first element such that said gemstone is maintained between said first edge and said first element in a secure fashion.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein at least a first extension and a second extension are attached to said first element.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said first and second extensions are located on opposing sides of said inner surface and said first element.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein said first and second extensions are located on symmetrically opposing sides of said inner surface and said first element.

7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first element defines an opening therethrough of sufficient size to retain said gemstone within said first element.

8. The invention of claim 3, wherein said first element defines an opening therethrough of sufficient size to retain said gemstone within said first element.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said opening of said first element is smaller in diameter than said cavity of said first member.

10. The invention of claim 8, wherein said first member is an article of jewelry selected from a group consisting of at least a ring, a pendant, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a brooch, and a belly chain.

11. The invention of claim 8, wherein a second member has a first end and a second end interconnected by a middle portion and said first and second end are bent around said middle portion to define a gap therebetween, said gap being of sufficient size to accommodate said first member such that first end and second end attach to an outer surface of said first member and an aperture is defined therethrough.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein said aperture is of sufficient size to receive a finger of a user.

13. The invention of claim 8, wherein said first member, said extension, and said first element are manufactured from a group of materials consisting of at least precious, semi-precious, non-precious metals and alloys.

14. The invention of claim 8, wherein said extension is connected to said second edge and to said first element, and an attaching member is connected to said outer surface of said first member and forms a hole therein, said hole being adapted to receive an elongated flexible means therethrough and said elongated flexible means being worn by a user.

15. A gemstone displaying means having a securing member, comprising:

an opening being defined within said securing member;

said gemstone displaying means having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a cavity therethrough such that a first edge surrounds said cavity;

said cavity being of sufficient size to receive the gemstone therein from said inner surface such that said first edge prevents said gemstone from passing therethrough; and

said securing member extending from the inner surface of the setting to securely retain said gemstone between said first edge and said securing member.

16. The invention of claim 15, wherein at least an extension means is used to attach said securing member to said inner surface of the displaying means.

17. The invention of claim 16, wherein said displaying means is a piece of jewelry selected from a group consisting of at least a ring, a brooch, a bracelet, a necklace, and an anklet.

18. The invention of claim 16, wherein said extension means is axially parallel to a central axis of said cavity and said opening.

19. The invention of claim 16, wherein said extension means is perpendicular to said central axis of said cavity and said opening.

20. A gemstone displaying means having a securing member, comprising:

an opening being defined within said securing member;

said cavity being of sufficient size to receive the gemstone therein from said inner surface such that said first edge prevents said gemstone from passing therethrough;

said opening and said cavity being substantially axially aligned; and

at least a first extension means and a second extension means being located on opposing sides of said inner surface and each extension means connecting to said securing member to securely retain said gemstone between said first edge and said securing member.