WO2007110683A2

WO2007110683A2 - Method and means for the creation of virtual whole diamond and other precious stone cut shapes utilizing a plurality of stones

Info

Publication number: WO2007110683A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/002051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnon Ofer; Itzchak Daller
Original assignee: Arnon Ofer; Itzchak Daller
Priority date: 2006-03-27
Filing date: 2006-07-12
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: IL174582A0; WO2007110683A3

Abstract

The uniqueness of this invention is the duplication of an actual full cut diamond or other precious stones by assembling a plurality of stones cut with a 12-15 degree angle drops from the center stone. The purpose of this invention was and is; to create the look and replication of a round brilliant or other various shape diamonds and other precious stones, in which the total carat weight used in the creation of the Virtual Diamond or other precious stones, is considerably less than what is now required to get the same shape and look of current methods utilized in cutting diamonds into their final shape for setting into a piece of jewelry. The embodiment of this invention is of a three fold nature; one, is the ability to utilize a plurality of smaller cut stones which for the same quality and clarity of larger stones, are far less expensive and therefore have a very significant commercial mass market appeal; Two, the actual look or size of the diamond or other precious stone creation will be several times the actual size of the carat weight, thus providing the jewelry consumer with the look and quality of a stone costing many times more than normal, thus enabling consumers with modest financial means to acquire the look and high quality that before hand could only be acquired by a consumer with substantial financial means. These Virtual Stone Creations with their included setting can then be mixed and matched to create a large verity of jewelry creations such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, broaches, anklets, etc.; Three, another embodiment of this invention is the method and means to mass produce the invention at competitive prices, thus making it economically practical, this being the primary reason why prior art patents issued many years ago never became commercially practical.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-stone round or other shape center stone and setting for holding therein a plurality of re-cut and grooved diamonds or gemstones to produce the appearance of a combined rounded or other shape gemstone aggregate providing an appearance larger than that of a single round or other shape gemstone of a similar carat weight. More particularly, this multi- stone round or other shape center setting having a plurality of gemstones therein also gives the appearance that the setting is substantially invisible and appearing as one whole cut gemstone. BACKROUND OF INVENTION

Invisible gemstone settings are well known in the art and refers 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 a jewelry item with a gemstone region including a recess and walls and preparing T-shaped cross bars is a relatively difficult and therefore a costly process. Second, the assembly of the jewelry item requires considerable time of a skilled worker and required high tech precision tools, and equipment 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 round or other shape setting for jewelry ornaments which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional multi-stone and invisible gemstone settings for jewelry items. The multi-stone round or other shape center setting would include a round or other shaped metal setting for holding a plurality of cut gemstones in which the combined gemstone aggregate gives a larger appearance than that of a single round or other shape gemstone of a similar carat weight. Additionally, the multi-stone round or other shape center setting would give the appearance that the round or other shape setting is essentially invisible to the eye of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND BACKROUND OF PRIOR ART

Invisible gemstone settings, multi-gemstone settings, jewelry settings 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 discloses an invisible, multiple precious stone setting for mounting two or more rows of round- shaped precious stones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,017 discloses jewelry items with invisible gemstone settings, wherein the gemstone setting includes a least two walls so as to provide at least one groove. The groove receives one or more rectangular shaped precious stones therein. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,265 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 present invention. U.S. Design Patent D403.611 discloses an ornamental design for a jewelry setting having a square-shaped pattern for square-shaped gemstones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. US 6,442,971 B1 discloses a multi-stone round setting for six substantially triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds, each having three side walls. The multi-stone round setting includes a curved corner prong assembly having six curved prong members; six side rail members connected to the six prong members to form a substantially round-shaped setting; a central support member having six connection points and six support ledges; and six radially extending spoke members connected at their outer ends to the six prong members, respectively, and connected at their inner ends to the six connection points, respectively, to form six seating areas. Each of the six seating areas are used for receiving one of six gemstones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the present invention.

None of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose or teach the multi-stone round or other shape center setting of the present invention for receiving therein a multitude of different shaped diamonds or gemstones which gives the appearance of a single round or other shape gemstone with the setting having an invisible profile . Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-stone round or other shape setting for holding therein a multiple of different cut shaped gemstones in which the combined aggregate of the gemstones gives a larger appearance than that of a single round or other shape gemstone of a similar carat weight Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stone round or other shape setting having a multiple of gemstones therein that are less expensive than a single round gemstone of a similar carat weight (i.e., the 4 carat presentation of the combined multiple of gemstones is less expensive than an actual 4 carat single round gemstone of the same carat weight & quality).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stone round or other shaped setting having a multiple of cut gemstones therein which gives the appearance that the round or other shape setting is substantially invisible and that unlike prior patents in this field, does not have a flat appearance on top, but has a 12-15 degree drop in angle from the center stone appearing more like a true full cut stone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stone round or other shape setting that can be varied in size depending upon the total combined carat weight of the multiple of gemstones within the setting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stone round orother shaped setting 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-stone round or other shape setting having a multiple of gemstones therein for use in personal adornment in the form of ornamental jewelry such as rings, pins, brooches, pendants, clasps, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stone round or other shaped setting that can be produced in an economical manner on a large scale and still be readily affordable by the jewelry consumer.

Summary of Invention

The present invention embodies methods and means for the duplication of the appearance of an actual full cut diamond or other precious stones by assembling a plurality of stones cut with a 12-15 degree angle drops from the center stone. In addition, the multiple of cut stones used in the assembly of the given shaped center stone are re-cut with specific angles and grooved bellow the table of the stones to allow the assembly of the center stone creation to give the appearance of a single full cut stone and appearing substantially invisible.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure # 1 is a top perspective of a round stone comprising of 13 individual stones and includes the size in millimeters and the required angles to be cut. Figure # 2 shows the assembly of a round brilliant cut stone comprising of 25 individually cut stones with a total diameter of 15 millimeters.

Figure # 3 shows the assembly of a round stone comprising of 7 individual stones.

Figure # 4 shows the assembly of a round stone comprising of 17 individual stones and includes the exact angles to be cut of each of the plurality of stones.

Figure # 5 shows the assembly of a round stone with the geometry of a star of David comprising of 13 stones.

Figure # 6 shows the assembly of a tear drop shape stone comprised of 13 individual stones and includes the required cutting of angles of the plurality of stones to give the tear drop shape.

Figure # 7 shows the assembly of a marquise shape stone comprising of 13 individual stones and includes the required cutting of angles of the plurality of stones to give the shape of a marquise stone.

Figure # 8 shows the assembly of a princes shape stone comprising of 25 individual stones.

Figure # 9 shows the gold or other precious metal setting required to receive the plurality of stones to produce a round shaped stone with 17 individual stones for figure # 4.

Figure # 10 shows an alternate setting required to receive the plurality of stones to produce a round shaped stone with 17 individual stones.

Figure # 11 shows an isometric view of figure # 10. Figure # 12 shows a variation of figure #2 with 28 stones. Figure # 13 shows a variation of figure # 3 with 9 stones. Figure # 14 shows a variation of figure # 4 with 20 stones. Figure* 15 shows a variation of figure # 5 with 15 stones. Figure # 16 shows a variation of figure # 8 with 28 stones. Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The multi-stone round or other shape center stone, setting and its component parts Of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detafli)y flGS. 1 -through 16 of the patent drawings.

Essentially, the embodiment of this invention includes a means and method ibr the τe-Outting trf already cut stones to specific shapes with exact angles as represented tn ttetaif by the drawings FIGS. 1 through 16 and also includes ihe groovtngOf the individual stones bellow the table so as to be able to set them in 1heτequired-gotd t>r other precious metal mounting/s as shown in Figured 1M1 utilizing methods and means as described in the prior art as listed above for the invisible setting of stones by a jeweler skilled in the art of invisible setting. The embodiment of this invention describes the methods and means to be able to produce a number of different shapes and designs of center stones comprising of a plurality of stones re-cut to specific shapes with the proper mathematical geometric angtes which allow the precision assembly of a verity of different shaped center atones. The approach which is embodied in this invention, allows the ability to use the same general idea to be able to design essentially any shape of center stone which can be imagined by one skilled in the art.

Claims

ClaimsWe claim:

1. A method and means for the creation of virtual whole diamonds and other precious stone cut shapes utilizing a plurality of cut stones to create the look of a full cut diamond or other precious stone.

2. The actual look or size of the virtual stone creation will be several times that of the actual combined carat weight of the plurality of stones.

3. We claim that the method and means for the mass production of the invention at an economical price point, is part of the embodiment of this invention thus making it commercially viable and acceptable.