Pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus and method
A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus for representing a genetic make-up of a family and being capable of representing a family with multiple children and/or multiple generations is provided. In one embodiment, a pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus comprises a first horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a first generation of a family and having a first end and a second end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the first generation of the family; a second horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a second generation of the family and having at least one end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the second generation of the family; and a vertical jewelry pendant member connecting to both the first and second horizontal jewelry pendant members. The first end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a male sex, and the second end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a female sex.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/532,469, entitled “Pedigree Jewelry Pendant Apparatus and Method”, filed on Dec. 24, 2003, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated therein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a jewelry pendant apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, the present invention relates to pedigree jewelry pendant apparatuses and methods of configuring a jewelry pendant to represent a pedigree arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Jewelry which “tells a story” has traditionally been very popular. As well, jewelry which denotes the pride of parenthood has developed a large market. Notable examples of this phenomenon include the “Mother's ring” containing the birthstones of each child and the “Mother and Child” pendant design. These designs have become a popular gift items at the birth of a child of for Mother's Day. The design presented serves both of these roles, denoting the pride of a parent while displaying the “story” of the family unit by representing each parent's and each child's gender and birthstone, and the birth order of the children. The format in which the birth order and other details (such as twin births) are represented is in the widely utilized “Pedigree Chart” notation. One way of depicting a family-tree commonly utilized by physicians and geneticists in order to clearly and quickly display important family connections is as follows:
Therefore, it is desirable to have a jewelry pendant to represent a genetic make-up of a family, and accordingly, there is a need for a pedigree jewelry pendant capable of representing a family with multiple children and/or multiple generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus which can be used to represent a genetic make-up of a family and is capable of representing a family with multiple children and/or multiple generations.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus comprises a first horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a first generation of a family and having a first end and a second end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the first generation of the family; a second horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a second generation of the family and having at least one end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the second generation of the family; and a vertical jewelry pendant member connecting to both the first and second horizontal jewelry pendant members, whereby a cross is formed between the first horizontal jewelry pendant member and the vertical jewelry pendant member.
Still in one embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a shape denoting the male sex, and the second end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a shape denoting the female sex.
Additionally in one embodiment of the present invention, the vertical jewelry pendant member includes a first end connected to a necklace, and a second end connected to the second horizontal jewelry pendant member.
Further in one embodiment of the present invention, the one end of the second horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a child of the male sex and the female sex, thereby representing the second generation of the family.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the second horizontal jewelry pendant member includes a horizontal bar having at least two ends connected to birthstones of at least two children of either sex.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a second vertical jewelry pendant member is connected to one end of the horizontal bar. The second vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to a third horizontal jewelry pendant member, thereby representing a third generation of the family.
Accordingly, one of the advantages of the present invention is that a jewelry pendant can be used to represent a family with multiple children and/or multiple generations.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the jewelry pendant can be used to represent a genetic make-up of a family, while also recognizing the paternal side of the family, or to denote many other features, such as twins, triplets, etc. of a family. It is appreciated that the above and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. As it will be realized, the present invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Yet in one embodiment of the present invention, a line of jewelry comprises of bezel or prong set birthstones of each parent and child. The shapes of the stones can be square, round or any other suitable shape to denote the gender of a person represented and arranged using the symbols and in the configuration utilized in a pedigree chart.
It is appreciated that a pedigree jewelry apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be adapted to many configurations, including pendants, brooches, earrings, bracelets, finger rings, and charms, etc. Also, it is appreciated that the pedigree jewelry apparatus of the present invention can be cast or fabricated from many suitable jewelry stone materials, such as precious metal, base metal, wood, ivory, bone, clay, glass, or plastic, etc. Further, the setting for the jewelry stone can be created to accept cabochon or faceted calibrated stones, or custom-made for irregularly sized stones.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention, including best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The descriptions of an exemplary pedigree chart of symbols and configurations used in
In
Still in
In
It is appreciated that the pendant apparatus may include more generations of a family, i.e. vertically including more horizontal jewelry pendant members. For example, the apparatus 200 may include a second vertical jewelry pendant member (not shown) connected to one end, e.g. 132, 134, etc., of the horizontal bar 130. The second vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to a third horizontal jewelry pendant member (not shown), thereby representing a third generation of the family.
Claims
1. A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus for representing a genetic make-up of a family being capable of representing the family with multiple children and/or generations.
2. A pedigree jewelry pendant apparatus, comprising:
- a first horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a first generation of a family and having a first end and a second end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the first generation of the family;
- a second horizontal jewelry pendant member representing a second generation of the family and having at least one end to couple to a piece of jewelry which represents at least one member in the second generation of the family; and
- a vertical jewelry pendant member connecting to both the first and second horizontal jewelry pendant members, whereby a cross is formed between the first horizontal jewelry pendant member and the vertical jewelry pendant member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a male sex, and the second end of the first horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a female sex.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertical jewelry pendant member includes a first end connected to a necklace, earring, brooch, or other jewelry item, and a second end connected to the second horizontal jewelry pendant member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one end of the second horizontal jewelry pendant member is connected to a birthstone of a child of the male sex and the female sex, thereby representing the second generation of the family.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second horizontal jewelry pendant member includes a horizontal bar having at least two ends connected to birthstones of at least two children of the male sex and the female sex.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a second vertical jewelry pendant member is connected to one end of the horizontal bar, and the second vertical jewelry pendant member is connectable to a third horizontal jewelry pendant member, thereby representing a third generation of the family.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 17, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2005
Inventor: Keith Berge (Rochester, MN)
Application Number: 11/016,042