WO2010013246A1

WO2010013246A1 - A composite gem

Info

Publication number: WO2010013246A1
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000746
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eyal Iter
Original assignee: Eyal Iter
Priority date: 2008-07-30
Filing date: 2009-07-30
Publication date: 2010-02-04

Abstract

Described is a gem setting including: a composite table gem, which includes two or more cut-pieces; a culet gem; and a structure for setting the composite table gem and the culet gem. The structure is made such that the gems set therein have a side view of a single gem, which has a crown of the table gem and a culet of the culet gem.

Description

A COMPOSITE GEM

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a composite gem, made of several cut-pieces and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to such a composite gem having a top view of a single gem.

The value of a large gem is much greater than of smaller ones. For example, two small gems cut from a single large gem worth together much less than the large gem from which they were cut. Therefore, it has been suggested to make large gems out of smaller ones, such that the composite gem appears to be much more expensive than its real worth. Some examples for such composite gems may be found in the following references:

U.S. Patent No. 5,533,364 to Freilich describes a gem for a piece of jewelry, made from smaller gems set by prong settings to provide abutting facets, in which the line of abutment is substantially invisible to the ordinary observer.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2004-0182110 to Giladi, describes a composite jewel comprising: a central baguette stone element, four peripheral baguette stone elements and four complementary peripheral stone elements, set such that the whole assembly resembles a large rectangular or square stone with an emerald cut.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2001-020370 to Haimoff, describes a heart shape diamond including two diamond sections, each formed by cutting a pear- shaped diamond along a cutting plane to define a mating surface and a table. A heart- shaped setting is provided having two seating areas and a second seating area separated by a cross bar, wherein one diamond section is seated in the first seating area and the other diamond section is seated in the second seating area, with the mating surfaces engaging each other to form the heart shape diamond, and with the tables forming the appearance of a single table of the heart shape diamond. Further, the first pear-shaped diamond has a first culet and the second pear-shaped diamond has a second culet, and the heart shape diamond has both first and second culets therein.

WO2008/062402 to Tsror describes a gemstone construction, comprising a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle, each of the individual gemstones defining a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion, the girdle and crown segments of at least some of the individual gemstones having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, the girdle segment of at least some of the individual gemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit, the common frame engaging the girdle segments of the individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other such that the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

WO 2008/053267 to Mandell, the inventor of the present invention, describes a jewelry piece, made of a plurality of stones cut with specific angles and assembled in a special setting so that the final jewelry piece has the look of one whole cut diamond. Another unique feature of the invention provides for the homogeneity of the stones table surface. The final jewelry piece with its setting can then be mixed and matched to create a large variety of jewelry creations such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, broaches, anklets, etc. Additional background art includes US Design Patents, Nos. D383,411;

D524,684; D562,179; and D562,178.

In the following, the term "gemstone" is used to refer to a mineral or petrified material that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry; and the term "gem" is used to refer to a precious or semiprecious stone cut and polished for ornament and/or for use in jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a composite gem, each stone has its own pavilion and culet, and therefore, the bottom and side views of state of the art composite gems are substantially different from the bottom view of a single large gem. An aspect of some embodiments of the invention concerns a composite gem, the side view of which showing a single pavilion, thus resembling a side view of a single gem.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention concerns a composite gem, the bottom view of which showing a single culet, thus resembling a bottom view of a single gem.

In some embodiments, a composite gem comprises at least three cut-pieces, two or more of them composing a top composite gem having a top that appears as a top of a single cut-piece, and the others set to mimic a girdle and/or culet of the single cut-piece. Optionally, seams between the various gems composing the top composite gem are viewable from some viewing angles and/or under some lighting conditions. Thus, turning the composite gem so as to change the angle at which it is viewed and/or lighted reveals the seams. Optionally, the chances of observing the seams when looking at the top composite gem without such turning are very small, for example, less than 10%, less than 5%, or less than 1%.

Thus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a gem setting comprising: a composite table gem comprising two or more cut-pieces; a culet gem; and a structure for setting the composite table gem and the culet gem such that the gems set in the structure have a side view of a single gem having a crown of the table gem and a culet of the culet gem.

Optionally, the composite gem has a plurality of culets and the structure hides the plurality of culets.

In an exemplary embodiment, the table of the composite table gem appears to an ordinary viewer as a table of a single gem, at least from most viewing angles.

Optionally, the two or more cut-pieces composing the table gem are diamonds.

Optionally, the two or more cut-piece and the culet gem are all of the same gemstone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the composite table gem appears, from the top, as a single cut-piece cut in a conventional cut and having a table of a given size, and said culet gem is set with the culet at a distance from said table such that the ratio between said distance and said table size is considered appropriate for said conventional cut.

Optionally, the conventional cut is selected from the group consisting of: round cut, marquise cut, princess cut, emerald cut, baguette cut, pearl cut and heart cut. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the gem setting is a piece of jewelry.

There is also provided, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a composite gem comprising: two or more cut-pieces set to appear, from the top, as one cut-piece; and at least one cut-piece set to mimic a pavilion of said one cut-piece.

Optionally, culets of said two or more cut-pieces are hidden.

Optionally, the two or more cut-pieces that appear, from the top, as one cut- piece, are diamonds. Optionally, the at least one cut-piece and said two or more cut-pieces are all of the same gemstone.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the two or more cut-pieces appear, from the top, as a single cut-piece cut in a conventional cut, and said at least one piece is set to provide the composite gem a depth that is considered appropriate for said conventional cut.

Optionally, the conventional cut is selected from the group consisting of: round cut, marquise cut, princess cut, emerald cut, baguette cut, pearl cut and heart cut.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a cut-piece;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a composite gem made of two cut-pieces and having a top view of single cut-piece;

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a side view of a composite gem according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3B is a perspective view, in scale, of a composite gem according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a ring with a composite gem according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGs. 5A-5D are in-scale illustrations of various views of the ring photographed in FIG. 4

FIG. 6 is a is a schematic illustration of a cross-section in a frame with a composite gem and a culet gem set in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention ;

FIGs. 7 A and 7B are top view and perspective view, respectively, of a frame for setting a composite gem and a culet gem according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGs. 8A-8D are various views of a composite gem according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS QF THE INVENTION Overview

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a gem made of several cut-pieces and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to such a gem having a top view of a single gem. In some state of the art composite gems, the bottom view shows the culets of all the cut-pieces making the composite gem; and the side view shows pavilions of all the cut-pieces making the composite gem. Such state of the art composite gems have bottom and top views that are substantially different from the bottom or top views of a single gem.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention concerns a composite gem, having a bottom view that shows a single culet and/or a side view that shows a single pavilion, thus resembling a single gem more closely than state of the art composite gems.

In some embodiments, a composite gem comprises at least three cut-pieces, two or more of them composing a top composite gem (hereinafter the table gem)having a top that appears as a top of a single cut-piece, and one cut-piece (herein after the culet cut- piece) is set to mimic a culet of the table gem. Optionally, the culets of the cut-pieces making the table gem are hidden.

In some embodiments, the table gem is a diamond, having the top view of a brilliant cut diamond; and the culet cut-piece is set to provide the overall composite gem depth that is considered ideal for the brilliant cut. Put more generally, in some embodiments, the top composite gem has the top view of a gem cut in a conventional cut and the culet cut-piece is set to provide the overall composite gem depth that is considered appropriate for the conventional cut. In some embodiments, the culet cut-piece is set to provide the overall composite gem depth that is larger than a depth considered appropriate for the conventional cut. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Exemplary table gem

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a large cut-piece 10; FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a side view of a composite gem 21 having a top appearance similar to that of cut-piece 10, but made of two smaller pieces; and FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a composite gem 30 according to an embodiment of the invention having a top appearance similar to that of cut-piece 10 and a bottom appearance similar to that of cut-piece 10, and made of three smaller cut-pieces. Cut-piece 10 has a girdle 12, a crown 14 on the upper side of the girdle, and a pavilion 16 on the lower side of the girdle. The upper face of crown 14 is table 18, which is the largest face of cut-piece 10. At the end of pavilion 16 shown is culet 20. Culet 20 is parallel to table 18, and in some cuts it is the smallest face of the gem.

The depth of cut-piece 10 is the distance D between the table and the culet. The depth of cut-piece 10 is optionally appropriate depth.

In some embodiments, depth is considered appropriate if it is within a range of depths regularly found in commercially available gems of the conventional cut.

Optionally, the appropriate depth is the depth most common among commercially available gems of the same conventional cut, or differs from the most common depth in up to 40%. Optionally, the appropriate depth differs from the most common depth in less than 30%, optionally, in less than 10%. Optionally, an appropriate depth is the depth considered ideal for the conventional cut. Optionally, any depth that is within 40%, 30%, 20%, or 10% from an ideal depth is considered appropriate.

Some depths, considered for the purpose of the present invention to be appropriate are provided in Table I below. The depths are measured in comparison with girdle diameter in case of a round cut, the width (shorter side) in case of marquise, pearl, or heart, and the extended girdle, in case of emerald or baguette cut. In case of princess cut (or other square cuts), the ratio is between the depth and one of the (equal) sides.

Table I

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a side view of a composite gem 21 made of two cut-pieces (22 and 24) and having a top view resembling that of a single cut-piece. The crowns, tables and girdles of cut-pieces 22 and 24 are abutted, such that when viewed from the top composite gem 21 appears like a single gem. Optionally, the table of composite gem 21 is homogeneous. The line 25, showing the border between cut- pieces 22 and 24 is optionally invisible. Thus, the top view of composite gem 20 appears to the naked eye just as the top view of gem 10, but the side view and bottom view are very different, in that they show two pavilions and two culets.

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a side view of a composite gem 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. Composite gem 30 comprises composite gem 21, also referred herein as table gem, and a culet cut-piece 32, set in relation to table gem 21 such that culet 34 of culet piece 32 mimics culet 20 of a single cut-piece having a table of the size of table 18/

In the figure, composite gem 30 comprises a homogeneous table 18, a girdle 12, two upper pavilions 16' and 16", two upper culets 20' and 20", and a culet cut-piece 32 having a culet 34 and pavilion 36. Optionally, table gem 21 and culet gem 30 are set such that culets 20' and 20" are hidden. In some embodiments (not shown), table 38 of culet gem 32 is closer to table 18 of the table gem than are culets 20' and 20" of the table gem. However, in other embodiments, this is not the case. Optionally, the table of the culet gem is at the same level with the culets of the table gem. Optionally, the table of the culet gem is lower than the culets of the table gem. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a composite gem 30' similar to that illustrated in

FIG. 3A. Composite gem 30' is made of 5 cut-pieces, four of which make table gem 21 and attached to each other along seams 25, which are invisible to an ordinary viewer, at least from most viewing angles. Composite gem 30' mimics a large brilliant cut diamond. In the figure, culet gem 32 is a small brilliant cut diamond. Optionally, the culet gem does not have a table, girdle, and crown that are well-cut as shown in the figure.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a ring with a composite gem 40 according to an embodiment of the invention. The photograph shows a large table gem 42, made of a plurality of smaller gems, indistinguishable in the photograph; and a culet 44. Table gem 42 has a top view of a round brilliant diamond, and culet 44 is a culet of a another cut- piece (46) set below table gem 42 to mimic a culet and a girdle of table gem 42. FIGs. 5A-5E illustrate (in scale) the ring photographed in FIG. 4 from various viewing points. FIG. 5A shows a top view of the composite gemstone, with thin lines 45 representing seams between four stones composing table gem 42. These seams are not seen under most observation conditions.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the ring, showing an aperture (52) at the finger-facing face of the ring, through which a single culet may be seen. Also shown is the single girdle (54) of stone 46.

FIG. 5C shows a side view of the ring, similar to that photographed in FIG. 4. The Figure illustrates that composite gem 40 appears like a single gem.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a composite stone according to an embodiment of the invention, suitable for setting so as to provide a ring such as that photographed in FIG. 4.

In different embodiments of the invention, each composite gem known in the art to have a top view that resembles a top view of a single cut-piece serves as a table gem. The invention is not limited to table gems known in the art, and may be practiced also with table gems that will be invented in the future.

Some optional table gems include composite gems made of plurality of 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18 cut-pieces. Other optional table gems include larger numbers of cut- pieces.

Some optional table gems have the top view of a stone cut according to the brilliant cut; marquise cut; princess cut; radian cut, emerald cut; oval cut; pear-shape; and heart-shape.

Some optional gemstones, from which the table gem is made include: diamond; cultivated diamond; emerald; ruby; tanzanite; topaz; tourmaline; lapis, opal; sapphire; and amethyst.

Exemplary culet gems

Optionally, the culet gem is of the same gemstones as the cut-pieces composing the table gem. For instance, both table gem and culet gem are diamonds.

Optionally, the culet gem is of a different gemstone. For instance, in some embodiments of the invention, the table gem is made of diamonds, while the culet gem is a zircon. Optionally, the color of the culet gem is substantially the same as that of the table gem, such that the two gems seem to be made of the same gemstone.

Optionally, the culet gemstone is cut only at the girdle, while having a native top. Culet gemstones having a properly cut crown, table, and girdle some times result in clearer composite stones than those comprising a culet stone with a native top.

Optionally, the culet gem itself is a composite gem, made of two or more cut- pieces set together to appear as a single girdle. Optionally, the borders between the cut- pieces making together a culet stone are made invisible in similar methods to those used in making the table stone. Optionally, the culet gem is set such that the borders between the cut-pieces making it are hidden.

Exemplary setting

Every setting method known in the art is useful for setting the table gem. Similarly, every setting method known in the art is useful foe setting the culet gem. However, since the culet gem is set right under the table gem, setting each gem should leave room for the other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the culet gem is set first, and than the table gem is set.

Optionally, the gems are set in a frame having a larger compartment for housing the table gem, and a smaller compartment for housing the culet gem. In most cases, the two compartments are made such that the tables of the gems lye in the compartments are parallel to each other, and have their centers lie along a line going perpendicularly to the tables.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section in a frame 60 with composite gem 21 and culet gem 32 set therein in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The figure shows a smaller annular frame 61 holding culet gem 32. Optionally, the upper side 61' of frame 61 is deformed to attach to the upper side of culet gem 32. Optionally, the upper side is not deformed, and the gem is attached by other methods, known in the art.

Also shown is a larger frame 62, holding a composite table gem 21. Gem 21 is shown to be held in frame 62 with prongs 63. The two frames 61 and 62 are connected with structure 69, which hides from the viewer the multiple girdles of the composite gems tone 21.

Optionally, the two frames are distanced from each other such that the distance between table 18 of composite table gem 21 and culet 34 of culet gem 32 corresponds to appropriate depth of a stone having a table of the size of table 18 and a cut having a top view as the top view of composite table gem 21.

Optionally, the culet angle (36) of culet gem 32 is such, that an imagery continuation of girdle 38 of the culet gem (illustrated with a dashed line in FIG. 6) reaches the edge of table gem 21, such that a viewer looking at the composite gem from the side is likely to have the impression that culet 34 is a culet of table stone 21.

FIG. 7A is a top view (in scale) of a frame for setting a composite gem and a culet gem according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 7A.

Shown in the figure are a smaller frame 61 for receiving therein a culet gem and larger frame 62 for receiving therein a composite table stone. The upper side 61' of frame 61 is made such that it can be attached to an upper side of a culet gem once set in the smaller frame. Also shown in the figure are prongs 63 for holding in place a composite table gem. The prongs and the frames form together a structure 69 that hides from a viewer the multiple girdles and culets of the gems composing the composite table gem.

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a composite gem according to an embodiment of the invention when viewed from above. Shown is a composite table gem 21 held by prongs 63 and given in a structure 69. Table 18 of large gem 21 is made of 4 smaller stones, the seams between them (25) are barely observable from most observation angles and under most natural lighting conditions.

FIG. 8B is a perspective bottom view of the composite gem shown in FIG. 8A.

The figure shows a small portion of girdle 14 of composite gem 21 and a substantial portion of the pavilion of culet gem 32 and the culet (34) of the culet gem.

FIGs. 8C and 8D are side views of composite gem shown in FIGs. 8A and 8B. These figures illustrate that structure 69 hides the multiple girdles of gemstone 21 and the table of culet stone 32 such that the entire gem appears as a single large gem. It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant setting methods to obtain composite table gems will be developed and the scope of the term table gem is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

General comments

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term "consisting of means "including and limited to". The term "exemplary" means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a cut-piece" is intended to disclose at least one cut-piece and includes a plurality of cut-pieces.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 2 to 4, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A gem setting comprising: a composite table gem comprising two or more cut-pieces; a culet gem; and a structure for setting the composite table gem and the culet gem such that the gems set in the structure have a side view of a single gem having a crown of the table gem and a culet of the culet gem.

2. A gem setting according to claim 1, wherein said composite gem has a plurality of culets and said structure hides said plurality of culets.

3. A gem setting according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the table of the composite table gem appears to an ordinary viewer as a table of a single gem, at least from most viewing angles.

4. A gem setting according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said two or more cut-pieces are diamonds.

5. A gem setting according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said two or more cut-pieces and said culet gem are all of the same gemstone.

6. A gem setting according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said composite table gem appears, from the top, as a single cut-piece cut in a conventional cut and having a table of a given size, and said culet gem is set with the culet at a distance from said table such that the ratio between said distance and said table size is considered appropriate for said conventional cut.

7. A gem setting according to claim 6, wherein said conventional cut is selected from the group consisting of: round cut, marquise cut, princess cut, emerald cut, baguette cut, pearl cut and heart cut.

8. A gem setting according to any of claims 1 to 7, which is a piece of jewelry.

9. A composite gem comprising: two or more cut-pieces set to appear, from the top, as one cut-piece; and at least one cut-piece set to mimic a pavilion of said one cut-piece.

10. A composite gem according to claim 9, wherein culets of said two or more cut- pieces are hidden.

11. A composite gem according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said two or more cut- pieces are diamonds.

12. A composite gem according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein said at least one cut- piece and said two or more cut-pieces are all of the same gemstone.

13. A composite gem according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein said two or more cut- pieces appear, from the top, as a single cut-piece cut in a conventional cut, and said at least one piece is set to provide the composite gem a depth that is considered appropriate for said conventional cut.

14. A composite gem according to claim 13, wherein said conventional cut is selected from the group consisting of: round cut, marquise cut, princess cut, emerald cut, baguette cut, pearl cut and heart cut.