Abstract: An apparatus for use in continuously assembling joinable ring shanks and ring settings into a corresponding unitary jewelry type ring comprising supporting means; advancing means operatively connected to the supporting means including at least one work holding means which removably receives a ring setting and ring shank for successively and incrementally advancing the work holding means, as well as ring shank and setting, from at least a loading station to a plurality of discrete working stations, including at least a ring shank testing station, and a bonding station, ring shank testing means located at the ring shank testing station for accurately testing for the presence and correct alignment of the ring shank with respect to the corresponding ring setting in the work holding means; and bonding means situated at the bonding station for selectively bonding the aligned jewelry ring.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for replicating nest members, each of which has a precisely formed nest cavity for the snug yet removable receipt of an article of jewelry or the like. The method comprises impressing a master pattern having a configuration conforming to the jewelry article to be ultimately held by the nest member into a body of a curable material to form a cavity having a contour which corresponds to the nest cavity of the nest member. The body is cured to a hardened state and then placed on an unvulcanized first rubber mold member so that the impression is directed toward the mold member. The mold member is vulcanized so that a surface thereof takes a configuration which is complementary to that of the impression in the body. Thereafter, a jewelry nest member is cast in a mold comprised of the mold member and a second cooperating mold member, also of rubber.