Gemstone jewelry with enhanced appearance

Abstract

The appearance of gemstones, such as diamond, of various cuts is enhanced with a narrow non-planar strip of a reflective, color matched material, such as gold with yellow gems or platinum with clear gems, is peripherally positioned around the visible portion of the gemstone in a setting. A realistic multiple reflective optical illusion is created of a larger size gemstone. The appearance of a gemstone is also visually enhanced in a ring setting with the band of the ring being constructed of separated ring elements which permit additional ambient light to strike the normally hidden lower and lateral portions of the gemstone and increase sparkle. Optionally, connecting members between the separated ring elements incorporate monograms or design. The invention includes the jewelry items of gemstones and settings having the enhanced appearances of size and/or increased sparkle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to enhancing the appearance of gemstones, and particularly to enhancing the size and sparkle appearance of gemstones such as diamonds in presentation jewelry settings such as rings, pendants, bracelets, brooches and the like.

Gemstones are almost always worn or displayed in jewelry settings which are designed to enhance appearance. The most common of such settings and displays are rings, pendants, bracelets, brooches and the like and typical expedients for enhancing settings include the decorative use of surrounding a large central gemstone with smaller gems or chips of smaller sizes or of different cuts such as baguettes. Precious metals, such as gold and platinum, most commonly provide the base settings. Other expedients for enhancing appearance include the use of settings or mountings which elevate the gemstones to provide a larger appearance or the use of different gem cuts which enhance sparkle or brilliance. Since appearance with respect to jewelry is paramount, measures which provide illusions of enhanced or increased size, innovative decorative settings, and improved gem sparkle or brilliance are prized.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is accordingly an object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a setting element for gemstones, such as diamonds, which provides the realistic illusion of a significantly larger gemstone.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide setting elements for gemstones which are matched in general color to that of the gemstones and which are non-planar to provide efficient reflective interaction with facets of the gem to make the gemstone appear larger.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a setting for gemstones such as diamonds which enhances the appearance of the gemstone by increasing the sparkle of the gemstone under ambient light.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide such increased sparkle by providing a holding setting of the gemstone with one or more openings to permit increased ambient light to strike the underside of the gemstone normally not viewably exposed.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more evident from the following discussion and drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a round yellow diamond in a setting having peripheral diamond chips and the size enhancing setting element of the present invention;

FIG. 1a is a side view of the setting element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a ring with a setting having an octangular yellow diamond gemstone;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a ring with a setting having an emerald cut white diamond gemstone;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are partial front views of pendant settings for triangle and pear shaped diamond gemstones;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a bracelet setting for a cushion shaped diamond gemstone;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a ring comprised of substantially separated elements;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the ring of FIG. 6 (with both right and left side views being symmetrically identical);

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to those of FIGS. 6 and 7 but of a ring of different design, with separated ring elements, a setting without the main gemstone and with fitted translucent small gemstone fitted into the separations between the separated ring elements;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to those of FIGS. 6 and 7 but of a ring of different design with separated ring elements, with a series of tapered progressively smaller gemstones fitted into a gold insert within the separation between the separated ring elements; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to those of FIGS. 10 and 11 but without the side fitted gemstones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Generally the present disclosure comprises a gem setting and a method therefore for enhancing gemstone appearance, such as a diamond, in articles of jewelry by causing an optical perception of increased size and/or enhancing the sparkle of the gemstone. The present invention further comprises the gemstone settings and articles of jewelry with gemstones having such enhanced appearance. In accordance with the present invention a visible exposed surface of a gemstone having a lateral contour (determined by the particular cut of the gemstone) is closely surrounded by a length of a narrow strip of a reflective material such as of a precious metal of platinum or gold having an exposed non-planar reflective surface. It is understood that reflective materials of non-precious metals and the like are similarly operable in accordance with the present invention but in keeping with the value and cachet of jewelry it is preferred that precious materials be used. The length of the narrow strip follows at least a portion of the contour with the side of the narrow strip closely abutting the contour and preferably completely surrounds the visibly exposed surface of the gemstone whereby the exposed non-planar reflective surface of the narrow strip provides a lateral extension of the visibly exposed surface of the gemstone. The width of the narrow strip across the reflective surface is preferably between about 0.2 to 0.6 mm and is regularly non-planar with a repeated uniform pattern, preferably along its length, such as with a continuous sinusoidal type pattern of flats and troughs. If overall symmetry is not required, such as with non symmetrical gemstones, the non planer configuration may be appropriately and correspondingly non-regular or asymmetrical.

To further enhance the size enhancement appearance as an extension of the gemstone, the color of the narrow strip is approximately matched to that of the gemstone with, for example, yellow gold being used with a yellow diamond and platinum being appropriately used with colorless gemstones. Other colored gemstones can be matched to the gray or mirror-like reflective platinum. The color matched reflective strip is positioned adjacent the exposed surface of the gemstone and preferably directly adjacent a line on the gemstone such as the girdle line of the exposed portion of a diamond, whereby its non-planar surface efficiently reflectively interacts with the facets of the diamond or other gemstone to create an optical illusion of a larger size gemstone. With the strip size width of from 0.2 to 0.6 mm, the exposed surface diameter of the diamond or other gemstone is increased in size, by perception, by from about 0.4 to 1.2 mm.

Depending on the cut of the gemstone, this can provide a significant illusional increase in size of, for instance, from the appearance of a four and a half carat gemstone to that of a six carat gemstone or about an additional third of the original gemstone size.

The dimensional parameters of the narrow strip are generally functions of perception in a particular setting and are specifically related to the eye being able to discern the narrow strip as being separate from the gemstone. Thus, a greater width of the strip which tends to perceptibly separate the strip as a separate element or deviations from planar which are too little or too much and which do not appropriately reflectively interact with the gems facets (which may also be a function of the cut of the gemstone) to provide appropriate reflective intermeshing, is to be avoided. A planar strip is however simply decorative and does not provide the interactive reflectivity required for the optical illusion of greater size.

Though ideally the narrow strip should completely peripherally surround the gemstone, in settings where chips are directly set against the central gemstone or where there is little or no room for a full peripheral narrow strip, the strip may be partial rather than completely circumferential (or peripherally enclosing) to at least symmetrically enhance size appearance of portions of the central gemstone.

In another aspect of the present invention, with the central gemstone and smaller stones or chips which may surround it, particularly in a ring setting, the ring (or other supporting member or setting) is laterally split into separate elements to permit ambient light to enter the separation between the elements and strike the sides or underside of the gemstones to increase sparkle. In embodiments of the present invention, the separations or splits in themselves provide settings for additional chips, which are transparent or translucent and which permit the ambient light to pass through them for the requisite sparkle enhancement and increased ornamentation appearance. Alternatively, the spacing may be filled with decorative inserts of precious metal such as gold or platinum, with or without imbedded small gems. If the ring elements comprise total splits into separate members then a web connector or one or more bridging element are necessary to keep the ring from falling apart. In such embodiments, the web element may be further ornamented with monograms or designs which may be dictated by the designer for identification (with an imparted cachet) or by the purchaser for personalization.

With specific reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 depict various embodiments of gemstone settings with the narrow strip elements or strips of the present invention. Round yellow diamond 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in a generic jewel setting 11. Diamond 10 is surrounded by small chips 13 which are spaced therefrom by narrow non-planar circular strip 12 made of a generally matching yellow gold.

The non-planar nature of the narrow strip 12 is more clearly seen in FIG. 1a , wherein strip 12 has troughs 12a and flats 12b. Strip 12 is shown as being peripherally adjacent the girdle section 10a of diamond 10 for maximum reflective effect. Though FIG. 1 clearly shows a demarcation between the center diamond 10 and strip 12 the actual visual effect with real reflections, not perceptible in drawing depiction, is that of the strip 12 blending into the appearance of the diamond 10 by multiple reflections of the facets with an optical effect of a larger than actual size diamond.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict rings 21 and 31 with center yellow and white diamonds 20 and 30 respectively of octangular and emerald cuts respectively. The respective non-planar narrow strips 22 and 32 follow the contours of the respective diamonds with the strips being outwardly and adjacently surrounded by diamond chips 23 and 33 respectively. Similarly the pendants 41 and 51 of FIGS. 4a and 4b having center white and yellow gemstones 40 and 50 of triangle and pear shape respectively have non planar strips 42 and 52 which adjacently follow the contours of the respective gemstones 40 and 50. It is preferred for enhanced reflectivity and appearance that the narrow strip be adjacent to gemstones on all of its visible sides. FIG. 5 shows a bracelet setting 61 with a cushion shaped yellow center gemstone diamond 60 surrounded by non planar narrow yellow strip 62 which is in turn surrounded by diamond chips 63. It is understood that the diamond chips need not be color matched to the center gemstone or narrow strip and are generally clear. It is also understood that the enhanced configuration is possible with any type of gemstone based jewelry having a similar setting and configuration of gemstones.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict various views of ring 71. The band of the ring is comprised of separated elements 74a and 74b of gold which are laterally connected with yellow gold bridge members 75a and 75b respectively and a bottom web 76. As seen in FIG. 7, the side section 70a of central diamond 70 is fully accessible to ambient light through the openings 77 on both right and left sides of the ring and through the clear diamond set between the separated elements. As a result, the light continues through the transparent to translucent gemstone to increase the sparkle and fire of the gemstone. The connecting web 76 at the bottom of the ring is modernistically configured with a monogram with such connecting web being readily replaceable for personalized use.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a ring 81 shown with the open setting seat 88 having an open bottom to permit exposed placement of an appropriately sized gemstone therein. The ring 81 is similar to the ring embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in overall structure but with small triangle diamond chips 88 being positioned within the openings 87 and is entirely of yellow gold. Because of the transparency of the diamond chips 88, ambient light is able to pass through the chips to the center gemstone (when emplaced) for increased sparkle.

Ring 91 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has similar separated elements 94a and 94b of platinum but with a centrally positioned yellow diamond 90 and decorative white diamond chips 93 placed in series along the visible circumference of elements 94a and 94b. In this embodiment, the separated elements 94a and 94b define side channels 97 into which a gold insert 95 is placed and into which insert, round diamond chips 98 are positioned in a row for decorative effect and the chips permitting ambient light to pass therethrough for increasing the sparkle of central diamond 90.

The ring 100 of FIGS. 12 and 13 is similar to that of ring 91 of FIGS. 10 and 11 but with a central white diamond 101 and without diamond chips in gold insert 105. Instead lateral support frame 102 of gold and platinum elements 102a and 102b has diamond chips 104 imbedded therein to permit ambient light access throughout to increase sparkle of central diamond 101.

It is understood that the above discussion and embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention with changes being possible in components, structure and relative configurations without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for creating an optical appearance of a larger than actual gemstone size in a jewelry setting, comprising the steps of:

i) causing a gemstone, in a jewelry setting, to have an exposed visible display surface with an external contour peripheral to the exposed surface; and

ii) positioning a length of a narrow reflective strip with a non planar exposed surface into the jewelry setting and with an inner side of the length of the strip arranged to follow at least a portion of the external contour directly adjacent the exposed visible display surface of the gemstone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the narrow reflective strip is positioned to follow the entire external contour of the exposed surface of the gemstone.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gemstone is provided with facets and the narrow reflective strip is positioned to reflectively interact with the facets to provide the optical appearance of a larger than actual gemstone size.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the width across the non planar surface of the narrow reflective strip is in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 mm.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the non planar exposed surface of the narrow reflective strip is in the form of a sinusoidal-like wave extending along the length of the narrow strip.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a color of the surface of the narrow reflective strip is generally matched with a color of the gemstone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a series of small gem stones are positioned to adjacently abut an outer side of the length of the narrow reflective strip.

8. The method claim 7 wherein the gemstone is a diamond and the narrow reflective strip is comprised of a metal selected from gold and platinum.

9. An article of jewelry, comprising:

a setting;

a gemstone held by the setting and having an exposed visible display surface with an external contour peripheral to the exposed surface; and

a narrow reflective strip with a non planar exposed surface directly adjacent the exposed visible display surface of the gemstone, with the length of the strip arranged to follow at least a portion of the external contour to provide an optical appearance of a larger than actual gemstone size.

10. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the narrow reflective strip follows the entire external contour of the exposed visible display surface of the gemstone.

11. The article of jewelry of claim 10, wherein the gemstone is provided with facets and the narrow reflective strip is positioned to reflectively interact with the facets to provide the optical appearance of a larger than actual gemstone size.

12. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the width across the non-planar surface of the narrow reflective strip is in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 mm.

13. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the non-planar exposed surface of the narrow reflective strip is in the form of a sinusoidal wave extending along the length of the narrow reflective strip.

14. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein a color of the non-planar surface of the narrow reflective strip is generally matched with a color of the gemstone.

15. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the gemstone is a diamond and the narrow reflective strip is comprised of a metal selected from gold and platinum.

16. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein an outer side of the length of the narrow reflective strip is closely surrounded by a series of small gem stones.

17. The article of jewelry of claim 9, wherein the article of jewelry is one of a ring, a pendant, a brooch and a bracelet.

18. An article of jewelry with a setting and a support member for the setting with the setting holding a gemstone having an exposed upper visible display surface and a lower non display portion wherein at least one of the setting and the support member is comprised of separated parts with at least one separation between the parts permitting ambient light to strike the lower non-display portion to an extent sufficient to increase sparkle of the gemstone at the exposed upper visible display surface.

19. The article of jewelry of claim 18, wherein the article of jewelry is a ring having a setting support member configured to be placed on a finger and wherein the setting support member is comprised of two elements which individually surround the finger and support the setting, with the two elements being held together by at least one bridging element which holds the members apart to provide the separations which permit ambient light to strike the lower non-display portion of the gemstone.

20. The article of jewelry of claim 19, wherein the bridging element is configured to depict a design or monogram.

21. The article of jewelry of claim 19, wherein at least one small gem stone is positioned within the separations and wherein the at least one small gemstone permits ambient light to pass therethrough.