WO2000053050A1

WO2000053050A1 - Mounting for an ornamental stone and jewellery item comprising such a mounting

Info

Publication number: WO2000053050A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/002051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang ZÖLLER
Original assignee: Zoeller Wolfgang
Priority date: 1999-03-09
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2000-09-14
Also published as: AU4288200A

Abstract

The invention relates to an ornamental stone mounting comprising a first and a second part (21, 22) for holding an ornamental stone (30). The two parts are positioned opposite each other and joined at at least one end (24). On inner sides, which face each other, the two parts (21, 22) each present an opening (23) which is configured such that the ornamental stone (30) is held therein such that it is able to move in at least two directions (O, L).

Description

Gemstone setting and piece with such a gemstone setting

The present invention relates to a gemstone setting with a first and a second setting part for holding a gemstone, which are arranged opposite one another and are connected to one another at least at one end. The invention further relates to a piece of jewelry. Gemstone settings of the aforementioned type have long been known in a wide variety of designs. Their common function is to keep a gemstone, for example a diamond, stationary, that is to say immobile, without impairing its appearance. In addition, there are gemstone mounts that keep the gemstone freely movable in one direction or in one plane. Such a gemstone setting is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,294,084. The gemstone setting shown therein has two mutually opposite elongated setting parts, on the inside of which a groove is incorporated. An edge section of a gemstone engages in this groove, so that the gemstone is held transversely to the longitudinal direction. However, the elongated groove allows the gem to be moved in the longitudinal direction.

The publication G 91 14 599 also discloses a setting for gemstones, in which the setting is designed as an absolutely flat guideway for the gemstone. The guideway formed in the piece of jewelry has a projecting section which holds the gem stone in the guideway so that it cannot be lost. Nevertheless, the gemstone is able to move along the guideway.

The publication G 94 00 426 discloses a further piece of jewelry with at least one set gem. The piece of jewelry has a recess in which the gem is pivotally mounted.

Common to all of the aforementioned gemstone settings for holding a gemstone movably is that it only moves allow in one plane or around one axis. In addition, the introduction of a narrow groove is a complex process, which must also be carried out in two opposite socket parts, which brings additional difficulties with regard to the exact alignment of the grooves.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to develop a gemstone setting of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it keeps a gemstone movable in at least two directions and yet maintains an attractive appearance without unnecessarily covering the gemstone. In addition, the gemstone setting should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

This object is achieved in the gemstone setting of the type mentioned in particular in that both setting parts on mutually facing inner sides each have an opening which is designed so that the gemstone is kept movable at least in two directions. This means that the opening has a longitudinal extent which corresponds at least to the diameter of the gemstone and has a width which is significantly greater than the thickness of the edge region of the gemstone engaging in the opening. This then allows the gem to move both in the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to it. The gemstone can therefore be moved in two directions.

In a preferred development of the gemstone setting according to the invention, each setting part is formed from a frame element forming a closed line, the frame element surrounding the opening. This is particularly preferred Frame element has an approximately oval shape, so that the opening also has a corresponding oval shape. The frame element is further preferably formed from two circular ring segments, the ends of one circular ring segment being connected to the ends of the other circular ring segment. The circular ring segments preferably have a rectangular cross section.

These measures have the advantage that simple and inexpensive manufacture is possible. The frame element can be formed, for example, from two pieces of wire, which are first brought into the appropriate shape and then soldered to one another. Of course, the frame element can also be cast. Because the openings in the frame elements are not laterally limited, the gem can be moved in a third direction, namely into the opening. In order to prevent the gem from falling through the opening, the maximum distance between the two segments forming the frame element is somewhat smaller than the height of the gem.

The oval or approximately oval shape of the frame element has the advantage that the degree of movement of the gemstone decreases toward the two ends of the frame element. If the gemstone setting is worn so that one end lies below, the gemstone falls into this end region of the frame elements and is thus stabilized. Of course, it is also conceivable to design only the opening oval and to design the outer shape of the frame element as desired. In a preferred development, the two frame parts are arranged at an angle to one another with respect to their longitudinal axis, such that they intersect at the connection point.

Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the two socket parts parallel to one another, a spacer element connecting the two socket parts to one another.

Both measures lead to gemstone settings that are inexpensive to manufacture and yet have an extremely appealing aesthetic appearance. In particular, they cover only very small areas of the gem, so that it can develop its full effect. The fact that the two setting parts have continuous (laterally not limited) openings, a view of the gem from the side is also possible. The known versions mentioned above regularly prevent this sight.

In a preferred development, the connection of the two socket parts is designed to be detachable.

This measure has the advantage that a very flexible gemstone setting can be realized. Due to the simple detachability of the two setting parts, for example by loosening a screw or other fastening means, the owner of this gemstone setting can replace the gemstone with another gemstone at any time.

The gemstone setting according to the invention is preferably part of a piece of jewelry, for example a jewelry pendant. Of course, the piece of jewelry can also have two or more of the gemstone mounts according to the invention.

Further advantages and refinements of the invention result from the description and the accompanying drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show:

Fig. La is a side view of a gemstone setting according to the invention;

Fig. Lb is a top view of the gemstone setting shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. Lc is a perspective view of the gemstone setting shown in Fig. La;

2 shows a side view and a top view of a gemstone setting according to a second embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side view and a plan view of a gem setting according to a third embodiment, and

Fig. 4 is a side view and a plan view of a gem setting according to a fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 1b, a piece of jewelry is identified by the reference number 10. As an example, the piece of jewelry is designed as a pendant 11. The piece of jewelry 10 has a gemstone setting 20, which holds a gemstone 30, for example a diamond. The gem must be designed in this way, i.e. be ground so that the thickness of the gemstone decreases towards the edges.

The gemstone setting 20 is formed from two setting parts 21, 22 which - seen in plan view - run obliquely to one another. The angle spanned between the two frame parts 21, 22 can be, for example, 35 degrees.

The two socket parts 21, 22 are connected to one another at one end 24, for example by soldering. However, it is also conceivable to cast the two socket parts 21, 22 so that the soldering is not necessary.

In Fig. La one of the two frame parts 21 is shown in a side view. It can be clearly seen that the mounting part 21 comprises two ring segment elements 25, 26, both of which have the same radius and are connected to one another at their ends 27, 28. The two ring segment elements thus form one closed frame element 29, which has an approximately oval shape. The frame element 29 surrounds an opening 23 which has a shape corresponding to the frame element.

From the illustration in FIG. 1b it also follows that the two ring segment elements 25, 26 of each mounting part 21, 22 lie in one plane.

The dimensions of the ring segment elements 25, 26 of both setting parts 21, 22 are dimensioned such that the gem stone 30 is held movably as in a cage, but without falling out of the gem stone setting. This means that the maximum distance A between the two setting parts 21, 22 (shown in FIG. 1b) should be chosen smaller than the diameter D of the circular gemstone 30. Furthermore, the maximum distance B (cf. FIG. 1a) between the two ring segment elements 25, 26 of a setting part 21, 22 must not be greater than the height H of the gemstone 30. With this dimensioning of the setting parts 21, 22, it is ensured that a lateral edge region of the gemstone 30 engages in the opening 23 of the two setting parts 21, 22, such as can be clearly seen in Fig. lb, and that the lower tip 31 of the gem stone 30 (shown in Fig. La) engages in the space between the two ring segment elements 25, 26 of the two frame parts 21, 22.

In this configuration of the gemstone setting 20, the gemstone 30 can move both in the longitudinal direction L and perpendicularly thereto in the direction 0, as shown by arrows in FIG. In addition to these two directions L, 0, the gem stone 30 can also move in the direction S, as shown in FIG. 1b. Despite these three degrees of freedom Gemstone 30 can be viewed almost uncovered from all sides.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a, b, the gemstone setting 20 is the pendant itself, with a chain 40 running through the two openings 23 of the setting parts 21, 22 in the region of the connection 24. An eyelet for attaching the trailer to the chain is therefore not necessary.

The previously described piece of jewelry 10 is shown in perspective in FIG. 1c. The gem 30 can be clearly seen, which is spanned by the two frame parts 21, 22 in a lateral edge area. In the illustrated position of the pendant 11, the gem stone 30 has slid downward into its lowest position following gravity. Due to the fact that the ring segment elements 25, 26 of the two mounting parts 21, 22 move towards one another, the gem stone 30 also lies against an upper region of the ring segment element 25. This means that the gemstone can only move to a small extent in the 0 direction. The gem stone 30 is thus held much more stable in this position.

It goes without saying that the socket parts 21, 22 can be made of any material, for example cast. However, they are preferably made of silver or gold or another metal. The gemstone 30 can be any stone, gemstone or semi-precious stone that is ground in such a way that at least one non-flat top or bottom surface is created. FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a trailer 11 ', the same reference numerals being used for the same parts as in FIG. 1, so that the description thereof is omitted. The difference of this trailer 11 'is that the two frame parts 21, 22 are not arranged obliquely, but parallel to each other. At the end 24, the two socket parts 21, 22 are connected to one another via a spacer element 50. As can be seen from the side view, the spacer element 50 is ring-shaped or tubular, so that a chain 40 can be passed through the resulting opening 51.

Another difference is that the gem stone 30 has a flat bottom surface 31.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a piece of jewelry 10 ″ which differs from the pendant 11 ′ shown in FIG. 2 only in that the spacer element 50 ′ is designed differently. Here, the spacer 50 'is ring-shaped for receiving a further gem 32.

4 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a piece of jewelry 10 ″, in which the two frame parts 21, 22 in turn run parallel to one another. In addition to a spacer element 51 attached to the end 24, a further spacer element 52 is provided at an opposite end, which connects the socket parts 21, 22 to one another. The two spacer elements 51, 52 are dimensioned such that they are covered by a frame part in the side view. All of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 have in common that the gem stone 30 is also movably received in three directions. The two connected parts of the socket allow movement in three directions, but prevent the gem from falling out of the socket.

It goes without saying that, instead of the almost oval shape of the frame elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, other shapes can of course also be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the outer shape of the frame elements can differ from the shape of the opening. In addition, it is possible not to firmly connect the two frame elements to one another, but instead to provide, for example, a screw connection in order to be able to release the two frame elements again. It would allow the gem to be replaced. The gem itself does not have to have the round shape shown in the exemplary embodiments, but can also be angular.

In addition, it is conceivable to combine two or more of the gemstone settings shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In addition, the described gemstone setting can be used not only for pendants, but also for other pieces of jewelry.

Claims

claims

1. Gemstone setting with a first and a second setting part (21, 22) for holding a gemstone (30) which are arranged opposite one another and are connected to one another at least at one end (24), characterized in that both setting parts (21, 22) each have an opening (23) on mutually facing inner sides, which is designed in such a way that the gem (30) is kept movable in at least two directions (0, L).

2. Gemstone setting according to claim 1, characterized in that each setting part (21, 22) is formed from a closed line forming frame element (29) which surrounds the opening (23).

3. Gemstone setting according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame element (29) has an approximately oval shape, so that the opening (23) has a corresponding oval shape.

4. Gemstone setting according to claim 3, characterized in that the frame element (29) is formed from two circular ring segments (25, 26), the ends of a circular ring segment (26; 25) being connected to the ends of the other circular ring segment.

5. Gemstone setting according to claim 4, characterized in that the circular ring segments (25, 26) have a rectangular cross section.

6. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both setting parts (21, 22) with respect to their longitudinal axis (L) are arranged obliquely to one another so that they intersect at the connection point (24).

7. Gemstone setting according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two socket parts (21, 22) are arranged parallel to one another, a spacer element (50; 50 '; 51, 52) connecting the two socket parts to one another.

8. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection of the two setting parts (21, 22) is designed to be detachable.

9. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (23) of the socket parts (21, 22) is designed so that the gemstone (30) in three mutually perpendicular directions (O, L, S) is kept movable is.

10. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (A) between the two setting parts (21, 22) is smaller than the diameter (D) of the gemstone (30).

11. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (23) has a length which is greater than the diameter (D) of the gemstone.

12. Gemstone setting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (23) has a height (B) which is less than the height (H) of the gemstone (30).

13. Piece of jewelery, characterized by a gem setting according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Piece of jewelry according to claim 13, characterized in that it is designed as a jewelry pendant (11), wherein a jewelry chain (40) can be passed through the opening.