Jewelry assembly with central raised stone and side lower stones

Abstract

A jewelry assembly which utilizes a series of round stones in order to produce the appearance of a single marquise stone is provided. The assembly includes a setting for receiving an arrangement of round stones. The arrangement of round stones includes a central round stone and a pair of smaller round stones located on opposite sides of the central round stone and disposed at a height lower than that of the central stone.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application relates to a jewelry assembly, and more particularly, to a jewelry assembly having a central raised round stone and a pair of side lower disposed round stones.

[0002] As is known, the cost difference between a smaller precious or semiprecious stone and a larger such stone is substantial. In fact, the cost increase is not merely proportional to the size difference, but is typically much greater. For example, a one carat diamond of a certain quality may cost $2,000; a similar quality 2 carat diamond could cost typically between $6,000 and $8,000, a three or four fold increase.

[0003] Because an increase in stone size substantially increases cost, it is desirable to utilize a plurality of smaller stones to achieve a certain desired stone weight or size, rather than a single larger stone which would be much more costly to manufacture.

[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a jewelry design which utilizes a series of smaller round stones in order to give the appearance of a single marquise stone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a jewelry assembly which utilizes a series of round stones in order to produce the appearance of a single marquise stone is provided. The assembly includes a setting for receiving an arrangement of round stones. The arrangement of round stones includes a central round stone and a pair of smaller round stones located on opposite sides of the central round stone. The central round stone is defined by a table, a faceted surface surrounding the table and leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion depending from the girdle and leading to a cutlet. Similarly, each side round stone has a table, a faceted surface surrounding the table leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion depending from the girdle and leading to a cutlet.

[0006] Significantly, the central round stone is mounted in the setting such that the table thereof is disposed at a first height. In turn, each side stone is mounted in the setting with the table of each disposed at a second height that is lower than the height of the central stone. With this configuration, a portion of the central stone is able to overlap a portion of each of the side stones such that the tapered portion of the center stone covers a segment of the faceted portion of each of the side stones.

[0007] As a result of this configuration, the gem presentation provides the visual impression of a marquise stone with a size much larger than any of the individual stones.

[0008] By using three round stones of a smaller size to convey the appearance of a larger marquise stone, substantial cost savings are achieved.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved jewelry design.

[0010] A another object of the invention is to provide a jewelry design which is aesthetically pleasing when viewed.

[0011] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a jewelry design which has an enhanced gem or stone presentation.

[0012] Still another object of the invention is to provide a jewelry design which utilizes smaller round stones in order to give the appearance of a larger marquise stone.

[0013] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the following description.

[0014] The invention accordingly comprises a jewelry design possessing the features, properties and relation of components which are exemplified in the following description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the jewelry design of the invention; and

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view in partial cross-section of the jewelry design of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a jewelry assembly generally indicated at 11 and made in accordance with the invention is shown. Jewelry assembly 11 includes a setting 13 defined by a base 15 and a series of upwardly extending prongs 17, 19 and 21. Prongs 17 and 19, as shown, support and retain a pair of similarly size side round stones 27, while upwardly extending prongs 21 (which are longer than prongs 17 and 19) support and retain a central larger round stone 25. Central round stone 25 is defined by a table 29, a series of surrounding facets comprising a faceted surface 31 which leads to a girdle 33, and a tapered portion 35 which leads to a cutlet 38, as is well known. Similarly, each of side round stones 27 is defined by a table portion 47, a series of surrounding facets comprising a faceted surface 49 which leads to a girdle 51, and a tapered portion 53 which leads to a cutlet 55.

[0019] Significantly, central round stone 25 is mounted in prongs 21 (along girdle 33) of setting 13 with table 29 disposed at a first height A (see FIG. 2). Further, each of side stones 27 is mounted along girdles 51 thereof in prongs 17 and 19 of setting 13 with table 47 disposed at a second height B that is lower than height A. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of central stone 25 overlaps a portion of each of side stones 27 such that tapered portion 35 of stone 25, adjacent girdle 33, covers or otherwise overlies a segment of faceted portion 49 of each of side stones 27. As a result of this overlying or overlapping arrangement, central stone 25 and side stones 27 give the appearance of a single marquise stone disposed in setting 13.

[0020] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable that height B of each of tables 47 of side stones 27 is substantially the same as the height at which girdle 33 of central stone 25 is disposed.

[0021] Importantly, the segment of faceted surface 49 of each side stone 27 overlaid by tapered portion 35 of central stone 25 is defined by an arc along girdle 51 of each side stone 27 in the amount of between 40° and 80°.

[0022] Further, central stone 25 weighs from between 1.5 and 2.5 times that of each of side stones 27.

[0023] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the described design and the construction set forth, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the description and shown in the drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

[0024] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described in the description, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A jewelry assembly comprising:

a setting for receiving an arrangement of jewelry stones, said arrangement comprising a central round stone and a pair of smaller side round stones located on substantially opposite sides of said central stone;

wherein said central stone has a table, a faceted surface surrounding said table and leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion leading to a cutlet,

wherein each of said side stones has a table and a faceted surface surrounding said table and leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion leading to a cutlet;

wherein said central stone is mounted in said setting with said table portion thereof disposed at a first height;

wherein each of said side stones is mounted in said setting with said table portion thereof disposed at a second height lower than said first height;

wherein a portion of said central stone overlaps a portion of each of said side stones such that said tapered portion of said central stone overlies a segment of said faceted portions of each of said side stones.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said central stone and said side stones is mounted in said setting by means of a plurality of prongs.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said setting includes a base from which said plurality of prongs upwardly depend.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second height of said table of each said side stone is substantially the same as that of said girdle of said central stone.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the prongs for mounting said central stone extend upwardly to a height greater than the prongs for mounting said side stones.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the segment of each of said faceted side stones overlaid by the tapered portion of said central stone is defined by an arc along said girdle of said side stone of between about 40° and 80°.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the weight of said central stone to that of each of said side stones is in a ratio of between about 1.5:1 and 2.5:1.

8. A fixed arrangement of jewelry stones comprising a central round stone

and a pair of smaller side round stones located on opposite sides of said central stone;

wherein said central stone has a table, a faceted surface surrounding said table and leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion leading to a cutlet,

wherein each of said side stones has a table and a faceted surface surrounding said table and leading to a girdle, and a tapered portion leading to a cutlet;

wherein said central stone is mounted in said arrangement with said table portion thereof disposed at a first height;

wherein each of said side stones is mounted in said arrangement with said table portion thereof disposed at a second height lower than said first height;

wherein a portion of said central stone overlaps a portion of each of said side stones such that said tapered portion of said central stone overlies a segment of said faceted portions of each of said side stones.

9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein said second height of said table of each said side stone is substantially the same as that of said girdle of said central stone.

10. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the segment of each of said faceted side stones overlaid by the tapered portion of said central stone is defined by an arc along said girdle of said side stone of between about 40° and 80°.

11. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the weight of said central stone to that of each of said side stones is in a ratio of between about 1.5:1 and 2.5:1.

12. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein said side stones are of substantially the same size.