US20050172667A1

US20050172667A1 - Rectangular shaped gemstone arrangement for attachment to a prong-type setting

Info

Publication number: US20050172667A1
Application number: US10/773,787
Authority: US
Inventors: Sanjay Shah
Original assignee: GOLDSTAR JEWELLRY PVT Ltd
Current assignee: GOLDSTAR JEWELLRY PVT Ltd
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2005-08-11

Abstract

A multi-stone gemstone or diamond arrangement and a prong setting for receiving four substantially triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds in the setting for forming a substantially rectangularly-shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement. A prong setting including a prong assembly having four prong members. The prong setting also includes an upper rail assembly having four side rail members and four corner rail members; the four corner rail members being attached to the four prong members, respectively. The prong setting further includes an upper frame assembly having first and second crossbar members, the first crossbar member having first outer ends and the second crossbar member having second outer ends. The first and second crossbar members form an X shaped configuration and each is connected at its respective first and second outer ends thereof to the corner rail members for forming four seating areas. Each of the four seating areas is for receiving therein one of four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds within each of the four seating areas. The four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds each have three side walls and each have first and second retaining corners and a third apex corner, respectively; each of the first and second retaining corners form a corner retaining angle with at least two of the side walls. Each of the four prong members have a retaining insert slot therein for receiving and engaging at least a portion of the first and second retaining corners of two adjacent gemstones or diamonds to keep the four gemstones or diamonds seated within each of the four seating areas of the prong setting.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-gemstone arrangement for attachment to a prong-type setting. More particularly, this multi-gemstone arrangement includes four (4) gemstone sections (each triangular-shaped) for forming a rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement. This combined rectangular shape gemstone arrangement gives a larger appearance than that of a single rectangular gemstone of a similar carat weight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Invisible gemstone settings are well known in the art and refer to a setting for gemstones in which the setting lies beneath the visible surface of the gemstones. Typically, to invisibly set a large number of gemstones, the approach of the prior art has been to notch the gemstones and to mount them in a setting having two or more parallel walls, with metallic projections, for example, prongs or the like, protruding from these walls for engaging the notches. Generally, these walls define channels in which the gemstones are set abutting one another in accordance with the invisible mounting method.
Invisible gemstone settings for jewelry products suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, casting of jewelry items with a gemstone region including a recess and walls and preparing T-shaped cross bars is relatively difficult and is therefore a costly process. Second, the assembly of the jewelry item requires considerable time of a skilled worker which adds greatly to the overall cost of the jewelry item. And third, the finished jewelry item cannot be readily downsized without disturbing the invisible gemstone setting.
Therefore, there remains a need for a novel invisible and multiple gemstone setting for attachment to rings which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional multi-stone, invisible settings for jewelry items. The multi-stone setting member should include a rectangular-shaped metal setting for holding four triangular-shaped cut gemstones so that the combined gemstone aggregate gives a larger appearance than that of a single gemstone of a similar carat weight. Additionally, the multi-stone setting should give the appearance that the rectangular shaped setting (metal) is essentially invisible to the eye of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Invisible gemstone settings, multi-gemstone settings, jewelry settings, and multi-gemstone arrangements and the like having various designs, structures, configurations and functions have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,539 to OUZOUNIAN discloses an invisible, multiple precious stone setting for mounting two or more rows of rectangular-shaped precious stones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,017 to VIVAT discloses jewelry items with invisible gemstone settings, wherein the gemstone setting includes at least two walls so as to provide at least one groove. The groove slidably receives one or more rectangular-shaped precious stones therein. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,265 to RAMOT discloses an invisible gemstone setting, wherein the gemstone setting assembly includes one or more gemstones and a setting having a base formed with a plurality of ribs defining one or more sockets of polygonal configuration for receiving the gemstones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 334,154 to BENDERLY discloses a round, pie-shaped gemstone arrangement. This pie-shaped/round gemstone arrangement includes six (6) gemstone sections for forming this rounded gemstone. This prior art design patent does not disclose or teach the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 372,883 to ADLER discloses a round, pie-shaped gemstone arrangement. This pie-shaped/rounded gemstone arrangement includes four (4) gemstone sections for forming this rounded gemstone, but does not use a princess-cut diamond. This prior art design patent does not disclose or teach the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
None of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose or teach the multi-gemstone setting member of the present invention for receiving therein four triangular-shaped gemstones which combine to give the appearance of a single large rectangular shaped gemstone with the setting having an invisible profile.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-gemstone setting member for holding therein four triangular-shaped gemstones so that the combined aggregate of the four gemstones gives a larger appearance than that of a single rectangular gemstone of a similar carat weight (i.e., a 1.2 carat presentation of the combined four gemstones appears as large as a 2.0 carat rectangular gemstone, as the present invention would have a larger table).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four triangular-gemstones therein that is less expensive than a single rectangular-shaped gemstone of a similar carat weight (i.e., the 1.2 carat presentation of the combined four gemstones is less expensive than an actual 1.2 carat single rectangular gemstone of the same carat weight).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four triangular-shaped gemstones therein which gives the appearance that the setting is substantially invisible at distances greater than 12 inches from the jewelry product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member that can be varied in size depending upon the total combined carat weight of the four gemstones within the setting member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member that can be made from precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium for setting precious gemstones including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four gemstones therein for use in personal adornment in the form of ornamental jewelry such as rings.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four gemstones thereon that can be produced in an economical manner and is readily affordable by the jewelry consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-stone gemstone or diamond arrangement and a prong setting for receiving four substantially triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds in the setting for forming a substantially rectangular-shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement. The prong setting includes a prong assembly having four prong members. The prong setting also includes an upper rail assembly having four side rail members and four corner rail members; the four corner rail members being attached to the four prong members, respectively. The prong setting further includes an upper frame assembly having first and second crossbar members, the first crossbar member having first outer ends and the second crossbar member having second outer ends. The first and second crossbar members form an X-shaped configuration and each is connected at its respective first and second outer ends thereof to the corner rail members for forming four seating areas. Each of the four seating areas is for receiving therein one of four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds within each of the four seating areas. The four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds each have three side walls and each have first and second retaining corners and a third apex corner, respectively; each of the first and second retaining corners form a corner retaining angle with at least two of the side walls. Each of the four prong members have a retaining insert slot therein for receiving and engaging at least a portion of the first and second retaining corners of two adjacent gemstones or diamonds to keep the four gemstones or diamonds seated within each of the four seating areas of the prong setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention win become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the rectangular shaped gemstone arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing four triangular-shaped gemstone sections forming a single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the rectangular shaped gemstone arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the four triangular-shaped gemstone sections formed in the single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rectangular shaped gemstone of the present invention showing the four triangular-shaped gemstone sections formed in the single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the rectangular shaped gemstone of the present invention showing the four triangular-shaped gemstone sections formed in the single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the rectangular shaped gemstone of the present invention showing multiple girdles of the triangular-shaped gemstones in the formed single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the rectangular shaped gemstone of the present invention showing multiple girdles of the triangular-shaped gemstones in the formed single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the rectangular shaped prong setting of the present invention showing an upper frame assembly, an upper rail assembly, a prong assembly, a lower frame assembly and a seating area assembly for forming the prong setting;
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the rectangular shaped prong setting of the present invention showing the major component assemblies of the prong setting;
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the rectangular shaped gemstone and prong setting of the present invention showing the four triangular-shaped gemstone sections being held within a prong setting in the formed single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the rectangular shaped gemstone and prong setting of the present invention showing the four triangular-shaped gemstone sections being placed within the prong setting for forming the single rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the front triangular-shaped gemstone section of the present invention showing an apex angle alpha (α) being greater than 90°;
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the front triangular-shaped gemstone section of the present invention showing the facet design of the front gemstone section;
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the front triangular-shaped gemstone section showing the facet design on its pavilion;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the end triangular-shaped gemstone section of the present invention showing an apex angle beta (β) being less than 90°;
FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the end triangular-shaped gemstone section of the present invention showing the facet design of the end gemstone section; and
FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the end triangular-shaped gemstone section showing the facet design on its pavilion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The multi-stone rectangular shaped gemstone and diamond arrangement 10 and prong setting 30 and their component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 16 of the patent drawings. The multi-gemstone rectangular shaped setting 30, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, is used for holding in place four (4) triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 so as to form the rectangular gemstone arrangement 10.
Each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 include three beveled side walls 22 a, 22 b and 22 c; 24 a, 24 b and 24 c; 26 a, 26 b and 26 c; and 28 a, 28 b and 28 c, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8 of the drawings. Further, each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 include multi-faceted pavilions 22 p, 24 p, 26 p and 28 p, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 through 6 and 11 through 16 of the drawings. Also, each of the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 include a first outer retaining corner 22 d, 24 d, 26 d and 28 d; a second outer retaining corner 22 e, 24 e, 26 e and 28 e; and a third inner corner 22 f, 24 f, 26 f and 28 f, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9 of the drawings.
Additionally, each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 include an upper beveled facet 22 g, 24 g, 26 g, 28 g, a middle beveled facet 22 h, 24 h, 26 h and 28 h and a lower girdle facet 22 i, 24 i, 26 i and 28 i, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8B of the drawings. Further, beveled side walls 22 b, 24 b, 26 b and 28 b are defined as the outer/exterior side wall (a front side wall) of each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively.
Gemstone or diamonds 22 and 26 are identically shaped, each having an acute arc angle alpha (α) of less than 90° at the third inner corners 22 f and 26 f, respectively. Gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28 are identically shaped, each having an obtuse arc angle beta (β) of greater than 90° at the third inner corners 24 f and 28 f, respectively. Acute arc angle alpha (α) is in the range of 60° to 75° with a preferred acute arc angle alpha (α) of 70°, and obtuse arc angle beta (β) is in the range of 105° to 115° with a preferred obtuse arc angle beta (β) of 110°. Each of the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 are made from a rough gemstone or diamond (not shown) having a substantially flat and long shape or having a substantially flat triangular shape. The gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 are then cut (by laser cutting) to the specified triangular shapes as previously designated, each having the specified acute arc angle alpha (α) for gemstones or diamonds 22 and 26 and having the specified obtuse arc angle beta (β) for gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28, respectively.
Each of the outer or exterior front side walls 22 b, 24 b, 26 b and 28 b includes a corner retaining angle for the first and second retaining corners 22 d, 22 e, 24 d, 24 e, 26 d, 26 e, 28 d and 28 e, respectively, such that gemstones or diamonds 22 and 26 include corner retaining angles gamma (γ) relative to the outer front side wall 22 b and 26 b, respectively, and that gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28 include corner retaining angles delta (δ) relative to the outer front side walls 24 b and 28 b, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 of the drawings. Each of the corner retaining angles gamma (γ) is 35° relative to the outer front side walls 22 b and 26 b of gemstones or diamonds 22 and 26, respectively. Each of the corner retaining angles delta (δ) is 55° relative to the outer front side walls 24 b and 28 b of gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28, respectively. Thus, the corner retaining members 28 e and 22 d, 22 e and 24 d, 24 e and 26 d, and 26 e and 28 d of two adjacent gemstones or diamonds 28 and 22,22 and 24,24 and 26, and 26 and 28 have each of the corner retaining angles gamma (γ) and delta (δ) being in alignment with each other to cooperate in forming a straight-edged corner member C₁, C₂, C₃and C₄of the gemstone or diamond arrangement 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Each of the straight-edged corner members C₁, C₂, C₃and C₄are received within retaining means of four prong members 62,64, 66 and 68 of a prong assembly 60. Thus, each of two opposing straight-edged corner members C₁and C₃, and C₂and C₄of gemstone or diamond arrangement 10 are in a parallel relationship with each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings.
The rectangular shaped prong setting 30, as shown in FIGS. 7,8 and 10, includes an upper frame assembly 40 having first and second crossbar members 42 and 44 attached thereto; an upper rail assembly 50 having first, second, third and fourth upper side rail members 52,54,56 and 58 with first, second, third and fourth upper corner rail members 53, 55, 57 and 59, respectively, attached thereto; a prong assembly 60 having four prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68 attached thereto; and a lower frame assembly 80 having first, second, third and fourth lower frame side rail members 82, 84, 86 and 88.
The first crossbar member 42 includes outer ends 42 a and 42 b, and the second crossbar member 44 includes outer ends 44 a and 44 b. Each of the first and second crossbar members 42 and 44 at their respective outer ends 42 a and 42 b, and 44 a and 44 b are connected to opposing upper corner rail members 53 and 57, and 55 and 59, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 7. The crossbar members 42 and 44 form an X configuration 46 within the upper frame assembly 40 and within the upper rail assembly 50 for forming a seating area assembly 90 therein, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The seating area assembly 90 includes a first seating area 92, a second seating area 94, a third seating area 96 and a fourth seating area 98. The first, second, third and fourth seating areas 92,94,96 and 98 all have triangular-shaped configurations for holding and seating the four (4) triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, therein, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 of the drawings.
Each of the upper side rail members 52,54,56 and 58 include outer ends 52 a and 52 b, 54 a and 54 b, 56 a, and 56 b, and 58 a and 58 b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7 and 10 of the drawings. The outer ends 52 a and 52 b of upper side rail member 52 are attached to adjacent upper corner side rail members 53 and 59, respectively. The outer ends 54 a and 54 b of upper side rail member 54 are attached to adjacent upper corner side rail members 53 and 55, respectively. The outer ends 56 a and 56 b of upper side rail member 56 are attached to adjacent upper corner side rail members 55 and 57, respectively. The outer ends 58 a and 58 b of upper side rail member 58 are attached to adjacent upper corner side rail members 57 and 59, respectively. The aforementioned attachments of the outer ends of each upper side rail member 52,54, 56 and 58 to adjacent upper corner side rail members 53 and 59, 53 and 55, 55 and 57, and 57 and 59, respectively, as previously described in the above, forms the substantially rectangular-shaped upper rail assembly 50, as shown in FIG. 7, 8 and 10 of the drawings.
Each of the prong members 62,64,66 and 68 of prong assembly 60 includes an upper prong end 62 a, 64 a, 66 a and 68 a and a lower prong end 62 b, 64 b, 66 b and 68 b, respectively. Each of the upper prong ends 62 a, 64 a, 66 a and 68 a of prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68 include first, second, third and fourth retaining insert slot members 72, 74, 76 and 78 for holding portions of the outer corner sections of gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, thereon, as depicted in FIGS. 7 through 11 of the drawings. Each of the lower prong ends 62 b, 64 b, 66 b and 68 b are attached to outer ends of the lower side rail members 82,84,86 and 88, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. Further, each of the prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68 includes an exterior wall surface 62 c, 64 c, 66 c and 68 c and an interior wall surface 62 d, 64 d, 66 d and 68 d having a center section area 62 e, 64 e, 66 e and 68 e, respectively. Each of the four corner side rails members 53, 55, 57 and 59 is attached to the interior wall surface 62 d, 64 d, 66 d and 68 d at the center section area 62 e, 64 e, 66 e and 68 e of each of the four prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68, respectively.
Each of the lower frame side rail members 82, 84, 86 and 88 include outer ends 82 a and 82 b, 84 a and 84 b, 86 a and 86 b, and 88 a and 88 b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7 and 8 of the drawings. The outer ends 82 a and 82 b of lower frame side rail member 82 are attached to adjacent lower prong ends 62 b and 68 b of prong members 62 and 68, respectively. The outer ends 84 a and 84 b of lower frame side rail member 84 are attached to adjacent lower prong ends 62 b and 64 b of prong members 62 and 64, respectively. The outer ends 86 a and 86 b of lower frame side rail member 86 are attached to adjacent lower prong ends 64 b and 66 b of prong members 64 and 66, respectively. The outer ends 88 a and 88 b of lower frame side rail member 88 are attached to adjacent lower prong ends 66 b and 68 b of prong members 66 and 68, respectively. The aforementioned attachments of the outer ends of each lower frame side rail members 82, 84, 86 and 88 to adjacent prong ends of prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68, as previously described above, forms the substantially rectangular-shaped lower frame assembly 80, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 of the drawings. The lower frame side rail members 82,84,86 and 88 of the lower frame assembly 80 are attached to the lower prong ends 62 b, 64 b, 66 b and 68 b of prong members 62, 64 66 and 68 to provide additional structural strength to the prong setting 30, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings.
The seating areas 92, 94, 96 and 98 are used to retain, nest and hold in place gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28, respectively, within the prong setting 30, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings. The lower girdle facet 22 g of gemstone or diamond 22 engages a portion of crossbar members 44 and 42 at their respective outer ends 44 b and 42 a. Also, a portion of each of the first and second outer corners 22 d and 22 e of gemstone or diamond 22 engages a portion of the fur and first retaining insert slot members 78 and 72 of prong members 68 and 62, respectively. The lower girdle facet 24 g of gemstone or diamond 24 engages a portion of crossbar members 42 and 44 at their respective outer ends 42 a and 44 a. Also, a portion of each of the first and second outer corners 24 d and 24 e of gemstone or diamond 24 engages a portion of the first and second retaining insert slot members 72 and 74 of prong members 62 and 64, respectively. The lower girdle facet 26 g of gemstone or diamond 26 engages a portion of crossbar members 44 and 42 at their respective outer ends 44 a and 42 b. Also, a portion of each of the first and second outer corners 26 d and 26 e of gemstone or diamond 26 engages a portion of the second and third retaining insert slot members 74 and 76 of prong members 64 and 66, respectively. The lower girdle facet 28 g of gemstone or diamond 28 engages a portion of crossbar members 42 and 44 at their respective outer ends 42 b and 44 b. Also, a portion of each of the first and second outer corners 28 d and 28 e of gemstone or diamond 28 engages a portion of the third and fourth retaining insert slot members 76 and 78 of prong members 66 and 68, respectively. The aforementioned nesting and holding of the gemstones 22, 24, 26 and 28 within the seating areas 92,94,96 and 98, respectively, of the prong setting 30, as described above, forms the rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawings.
The multi-stone prong setting 30 can be made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or other precious metals. The multi-stone prong setting 30 can also be made into different size settings depending upon the size (carat weight) of the triangular-shaped and rectangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22 to 28 being mounted therein. The total carat weight for the gemstones or diamonds 22 to 28 typically are in the range of 0.36 carats to 4.0 carats per multi-gemstone prong setting 30. Additionally, other types of gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds or other precious gems can be used for the multi-stone prong setting 30 of the present invention. Prong setting 30 can be used to form a piece of jewelry in the form of a ring, a pin, a broach, a pendant, a clasp, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet or earrings.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The operation and method for mounting the multi-stone rectangularly shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement 10 within the prong setting 30 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7 through 10 of the patent drawings, starts with the jeweler mounting one of the upper side rail members 52, 54,56 or 58 of the upper rail assembly 50 to a jewelry vise (not shown) for the convenient assembly of each of the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 within seating areas 92, 94, 96 and 98, respectively, of the multi-gemstone rectangular-shaped prong setting 30 by the jeweler. The jeweler's initial steps are to slidably mount the outer corners 22 d and 22 e, 24 d and 24 e, 26 d and 26 e, and 28 d and 28 of gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 into corresponding retaining insert slot members 78 and 72, 72 and 74, 74 and 76, and 76 and 78 of prong members 68 and 72, 62 and 64, 64 and 66 and 66 and 68, respectively, such that each gemstone or diamond 22,24,26 and 28 is nested within each seating area 92,94, 96 and 98, respectively, of the prong setting 30, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 of the drawings.
Next, the jeweler slightly bends each of the retaining insert slot members 72, 74, 76 and 78 to frictionally engage the corresponding outer corners, as previously described, of gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings. This above step now sets all of the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 within seating areas 92,94,96 and 98, respectively, such that the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 cannot be removed from the multi-stone prong setting 30, so as to hold the gemstones or diamonds in place and in a secure manner.
A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims

1. A multi-gemstone or diamond arrangement and a prong setting for receiving four substantially triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds in the setting for forming a substantially rectangular-shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement; comprising:

a) a prong setting including a prong assembly having four prong members;

b) an upper rail assembly having four side rail members and four corner rail members; said four corner rail members being attached to said four prong members, respectively;

c) an upper frame assembly having first and second crossbar members, said first crossbar member having first outer ends and said second crossbar member having second outer ends;

d) said first and second crossbar members forming an X shaped configuration and each being connected at their respective first and second outer ends thereof to said corner rail members for forming four seating areas;

e) each of said four seating areas for receiving therein one of said four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds within each of said four seating areas;

f) said four-triangular shaped gemstones or diamonds each having three side walls and each having first and second retaining corners and a third apex corner, respectively; each of said first and second retaining corners forming a corner retaining angle with at least two of said side walls;

g) each of said four prong members each having a retaining insert slot formed therein for receiving and engaging at least a portion of said first and second retaining corners of two adjacent gemstones or diamonds to keep said four gemstones or diamonds seated within each of said four seating areas of said prong setting.

2. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said four prong members includes an upper prong end, a lower prong end, an exterior wall surface and an interior wall surface having a center section area.

3. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said four corner rail members is attached to said interior wall surface at said center section area of each of said four prong members, respectively.

4. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said retaining insert slots is positioned at said upper prong end on said interior wall surface of each of said four prong members.

5. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said prong setting further includes a lower frame assembly having four lower frame side rail members for providing additional structural strength to said prong setting.

6. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said lower frame side rail members is attached to said lower prong end of each of said four prong members, respectively.

7. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third apex corner of two of said triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds includes an acute arc angle alpha (α) of less than 90°.

8. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 7, wherein said acute arc angle alpha (α) includes the acute arc angle alpha (α) in the range of 60° to 75° with a preferred acute arc angle alpha (α) of 70°.

9. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third apex corner of the other two of said triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds include an obtuse arc angle beta (β) of greater than 90°.

10. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 9, wherein said obtuse arc angle beta (β) includes the obtuse arc angle beta (β) in the range of 105° to 115° with a preferred obtuse arc angle beta (β) of 110°.

11. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said three side walls of said triangular-shaped gemstone or diamond is an outer side wall being adjacent and parallel with one of said four side rail members.

12. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 11, wherein said corner retaining angle of said first and second retaining corners of two of said triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds includes a corner retaining angle gamma (γ) relative to said outer side wall.

13. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 12, wherein said corner retaining angle gamma (γ) is 35° relative to said outer side wall of said two of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds.

14. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 11, wherein said corner retaining angle of said first and second retaining corners of the other two of said triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds includes a corner retaining angle delta (δ) relative to said outer side wall.

15. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 14, wherein said corner retaining angle delta (δ) is 55° relative to said outer side wall of said other two of the triangular-shaped gemstones.

16. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 15, wherein said corner retaining members of two adjacent triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds have said corner retaining angles gamma (γ) and delta (δ) being in alignment with each other to cooperate in forming a straight edged corner member being received within each of said retaining insert slots of said four prong members.

17. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 16, wherein each of two opposing straight-edged corner members of said multi-stone gemstone or diamond arrangement are in a parallel relationship with each other.

18. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said prong setting is made from gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or other precious metals.

19. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said prong setting is made into different size settings based upon a weight of said four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds, said total weight being in the range of 0.36 to 4.0 carats.

20. A multi-stone arrangement and setting in accordance with claim 1, said prong setting forms a jewelry member selected from the group consisting of a ring, a pin, a broach, a pendant, a clasp, a necklace, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet and earrings.