Abstract: A hinged earring possesses a way of locking the earring in either an open or a closed position. The hinge is formed between two segments of an earring and is provided with two flat surfaces. A tongue, preferably resilient, protrudes from one of the segments of the earring. When the earring is closed, the tongue engages one of the flat surfaces, and when the earring is open, the tongue engages the other of the flat surfaces. The flat surfaces are preferably adjacent, sharing a common edge. The edge makes it difficult for the earring to accidently fall open when closed or fall closed when open. When the earring is moved from open to closed or from closed to open, the edge abuts against the tongue, requiring a certain amount of force to change the position of earring segments.

Abstract: A combination of a connecting or assembly member, a gemstone and an item of jewelry in which the assembly or connecting member connects the gemstone to the jewelry is disclosed. The connecting member comprises a projecting pin which passes through a corresponding small hole in the surface of the jewelry. The gemstones are placed in apertures, and the size of the aperture is smaller than that of the stone so that the stone nests into the aperture. The connecting members include projecting pins which pass through a corresponding small hole near the respective apertures and cold soldering is employed to secure the projecting pin in place thereby securing each stone in place in the jewelry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting precious or semi-precious stones comprises a casting of pliable metal. The housing is formed into a pair of opposed channel-shaped legs which can be squeezed together to encircle and hold the girdle portion of the stone. To facilitate linking of two or more stones, one end of the mounting is provided with an ear having an aperture pass therethrough. The other end of the mounting is provided with a post. The post is securable to the free end of the opposed leg of the first mounting. If linking two mountings is desired, the post of a first housing passes through an aperture of an adjacent housing before the post is welded to the free end of the opposed leg.