Jewelry having two or more faceted stones

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, comprising two faceted stones of different colors, one placed on top of the other, to produce a distinctly new faceted color combination. Unique color combinations are thus achieved based on the particular stones that are used.

Description

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 11/439,910, filed on May 24, 2006, which in turn is based on and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/687,113 filed Jun. 3, 2005

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets and the like typically comprise metals such as gold, silver, platinum or various combinations thereof, and faceted precious or semiprecious stones that are mounted into one or more settings within a given piece of jewelry. In the context of jewelry having a plurality of stones, the stones are mounted beside one another in a generally linear or somewhat offset linear formation (i.e., one stone is slightly raised relative to other stones beside it) such that at least the top portion of all of the stones are clearly visible when viewing the particular piece of jewelry. In these conventional forms of jewelry, when a ruby, for example, is mounted in a particular location, the color perceived at that location will be red; with a sapphire, the color perceived will be blue; with an amethyst the color will be purple; with a yellow topaz the color perceived will be yellow and so on and so forth. While a particular color given off by any one stone may be aesthetically pleasing for a period of time, it is of course strictly limited to the specific stone used in the setting of the jewelry. In particular, for a faceted one-stone ring or other piece of jewelry, this may lead to monotony and dullness and ultimately cause a user to cease wearing that piece of jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, comprising two faceted stones of different colors, one placed on top of the other, to produce a distinctly new faceted color combination. The unique color combinations are reflected in the particular stones that are used. For example, a ring may combine a Peridot stone, which is predominantly green in color, with a Blue Topaz, wherein the green of the Peridot and the blue of the Blue Topaz transmit through one another bringing about a color combination of greenish-blue that is different from each stone individually. These color combinations are the product of positioning one stone on top of the other in a setting.

In a preferred form, one stone is adhered to the second stone by means of an optical cement.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive jewelry item has a setting comprising a four-post “basket” for holding a bottom stone of a first color in place. The basket permits substantial viewing of the bottom stone on all four of its sides as well as through the bottom of the basket, which may be exposed as well. At the top of the basket, there is provided a circular shoulder or band for holding the top stone of a different color in place above the bottom stone. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the setting permits substantial viewing of both the top and bottom stones when the stones are properly positioned.

In addition, one embodiment also utilizes stones of the same or similar “cut,” wherein the facets of each stone are of the same or similar overall configuration. After both stones are properly set, a user looking directly downward through the top stone into the bottom stone may also see a “kaleidoscope” type effect as the ring is rotated.

Different color and stone combinations include Peridot with Blue Topaz (as discussed above), Amethyst with Light Blue Topaz, Citrin with Dark Blue Topaz, etc. may be used. Certainly, other complimenting colored stones may be used in practicing the invention as well. Of course, different metals or combinations thereof may be used in the construction of the setting as well.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors with one stone placed on top of the other.

An additional object of the invention is to provide to faceted stones of different colors that are mounted to one another by means of an optical cement.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors and which permits substantial viewing of both stones.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring assembly made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of two faceted stones of different colors to be used in the ring assembly showing FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a pendant assembly made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is rear elevational view of the pendant assembly depicted in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a necklace assembly made in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, a ring assembly made in accordance with the invention and generally indicated at 11 is now described. Ring assembly 11 includes a band 13 and a setting generally indicated at 15 in which a top faceted stone 27 and a bottom faceted stone 31, each of a different color than the other, are mounted one on top of the other, preferably by means of the use of an optical cement, which is applied substantially evenly to the areas along stones 27 and 31 where the two stones are in contact.

An optical cement is a permanent and transparent (translucent) adhesive that is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. Canada balsam is a common optical cement, although an optical cement to be used in the inventive assembly may also be selected from methacrylates, caprinates and epoxies.

In general, optical cements are synthetic polymer adhesives and, in accordance with the invention, may either be a two-component system that is mixed in order to cure (either at room temperature utilizing a curing oven, or with a UV application), or a one-component system (which cures either instantly, at room temperature over time or by UV application). In the inventive structure, the two stones are mounted together in a vice or similar unit in order to hold them together in fixed position for enabling the cement to cure, as well as for keeping the cement free of bubble accumulation.

Setting 15 may be constructed of precious or semi-precious metals (for example—gold, silver, platinum) and defines a basket 17 comprising a shoulder or band 21, a base 23 and a series of posts 19 connected between shoulder 21 and base 23. Together, shoulder 21, base 23 and connecting posts 19 define a series of side openings or windows 22; base 23 itself defines a bottom window 24.

Top stone 27 includes a tapered surface 29 that leads to a base portion 35, while bottom stone 31 has a hemispherical surface 33 that leads to a base 37. In assembly, base portion 35 of top stone 27 and base portion 37 of bottom stone 31 are disposed in an abutting relationship such that shoulder or band 21 wraps around and otherwise hides the interface between top stone 27 and bottom stone 31. In one form, the two stones are held in position within setting 15 by a series of prongs 25 that depend from shoulder 21.

As can be appreciated, basket 17 of setting 15 permits substantial viewing of surface 33 of bottom stone 31, both from four different side directions through windows 22, as well as from underneath through window 24. Surface 29 of top stone 27 is fully visible when ring assembly 11 is viewed from the top.

Significantly, the cut of top stone 27 and bottom stone 31 are substantially the same. Thus, once top stone 27 and bottom stone 31 are appropriately mounted in setting 15, a user looking directly down through top stone 27 and into bottom stone 31 will see a “kaleidoscope” effect, especially as ring assembly 11 is rotated.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a pendant assembly made in accordance with the invention and generally indicated at 111 is shown. The pendant assembly includes a setting 115 defined by a circular shoulder or band in which two faceted stones 127 and 131 of different colors, placed one on top of the other are mounted therewithin. As before, a circular shoulder or band 121 hides the interface between top stone 127 and bottom stone 131. Shoulder 121 has a pivoting loop 113 depending therefrom for use in supporting pendant assembly 111 on a jewelry chain.

In order to secure stones 127 and 131 in position within setting 115, a first series of prongs 125 extend upwardly from shoulder 121 in order to grab top stone 127 and a second series of prongs 125¹ extend downwardly from shoulder 121 for grabbing bottom stone 131.

FIG. 8 illustrates the incorporation of multiple units of the inventive design in a necklace 211. Necklace 211 incorporates a plurality of multi-stone units 213 interconnected by different length metal loop elements. Each multi-stone unit 213 is similar in design to the pendant assembly depicted in FIGS. 5-7, and includes a setting defined by a shoulder or band 221 in which one faceted stone 227 of a first color and a second faceted stone (not visible) of a second color are placed one on top of the other. The stones are held in place via prongs 225, as described before.

It will thus be seen that the object set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are attained by the design of the inventive jewelry item.

The scope of the invention will now be defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A jewelry item comprising:

a first faceted stone of a first color comprising a faceted surface and a base portion;

a second faceted stone of a second color different from said first color having a faceted surface and a base portion;

wherein the base portions of said first and second stones abut one another such that said first stone is positioned on top of said second stone in order to define a stone unit.

2. The item of claim 1, further including a setting in which said stones are seated.

3. The item of claim 2, wherein said setting includes a band for encircling said stone unit along where said base portions abut.

4. The jewelry item of claim 3, further including a band on which said setting is mounted.

5. The jewelry item of claim 4, wherein said setting includes a base element overlying a portion of the faceted surface of said second stone and a plurality of post elements interconnected between said band and said base element.

6. The jewelry item of claim 3, wherein said encircling band includes a series of depending prongs for capturing at least one of said stones.

7. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said first and second stones each have a similar cut.

8. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein each of said stones has a color selected from the group consisting of green, blue, purple, red and yellow.

9. The jewelry item of claim 5, wherein said setting further includes a plurality of side windows, each separated from the other by one of said plurality of post elements, said windows enabling viewing of said second stone.

10. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said stones are fixably positioned one on top of another by means of an optical cement disposed between said base portions.

11. The jewelry item of claim 10, wherein the optical cement is chosen from the group consisting of Canada balsam, methacrylates, caprinates and epoxies.

12. The jewelry item of claim 10, wherein the optical cement is chosen from one of a one-component cement system and a two-component cement system.

13. The jewelry item of claim 10, wherein the optical cement is selected from the group consisting of a room temperature curable optical cement, a heat curable optical cement and a UV curable optical cement.