Abstract: A round bangle (20) has an improved clevis-like hinge assembly (23) and an improved bangle closing mechanism (24). The hinge assembly is in the form of two end caps, which are operatively mounted on adjacent marginal end portions of the bangle halves. A clevis-type connection is recessed in one of the bangle halves such that there is the appearance of a generally smooth continuous exterior when the bangle is closed. The improved closing mechanism includes a keeper wire (42) extending outwardly from one of the bangles within the other, with an intermediate support ball (43) and a distal button (44) located on the keeper wire. When the bangle is closed, the button passes through an opening (45) in the other bangle half to releasably lock the bangle halves together.

Abstract: An improved bangle closing mechanism (26) is adapted to releasably join two tubular arcuate bangle halves (11, 12). The improved closing mechanism has a keeper bar (28) provided with a proximal portion (29) adapted to be operatively engaged with the first bangle half (11), an intermediate portion (30) extending between the bangle halves and penetrating a narrowed opening (23) in the second bangle half (12), and an enlarged ball-like head portion (31) operatively arranged within the second bangle half. The projected diameter (d.sub.1) of the head portion is greater than the projected diameter (d.sub.2) of the narrowed opening. The head portion prevents the keeper bar from being withdrawn from the second bangle half, and facilitates sliding movement within the second bangle half as to the bangle halves are moved relatively toward or away from one another.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a jewelry piece such as a ball earring pin which includes a predetermined length of the solder-filled wire that serves as both an earring wire post and domed cup for seating and attachment of an ornament, namely, the ball of a ball earring. At one end of the wire, the wire casing is flared back and separated from the core thereby exposing a nib of solder. The wire casing which is separated from the core is formed into the shape of a domed cup complimenting with the curvature of the ball. The nib which extends into a hole in the ball is then heated to melt the solder such that the ball is secure within the cup after the solder cools.