Gemstone Arrangement
A gemstone arrangement that allows ambient light entering a primary gemstone through a pavilion to be directed out a crown at a desired location and angle is described. Ambient light is directed by at least one complementary gemstone comprising a crown and a pavilion. The complementary gemstone is orientated is a position near the primary gems such that light enters and exits the complementary gemstone through the crown or pavilion and is directed into the pavilion of the primary gemstone. Because of the selection and orientation of the complementary gemstone, ambient light directed by the complementary gemstone intersects the crown of the primary gemstone at an angle of incidence equal to or less than the critical angle for internal reflection and exits the primary gemstone. This gemstone arrangement can amplify the amount of light observed by a viewer from specified locations and angles of the crown of the primary gemstone.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention discloses gemstone arrangements that enhance the appearance of a primary gemstone by increasing the amount of light exiting and crown of the primary gemstone. By positioning complementary gemstones to redirect ambient light into the pavilion of the primary gemstone at specific locations and angles, gemstone arrangements can be arranged in a manner that amplifies the amount light observed from a desired angle and location of the primary gemstones crown. This invention utilizes all cuts and sizes of gemstones, and gemstones typically belittled for a deep or shallow cut have especially useful attributes for these gemstone arrangements.
2. Description of Related Art
Arranging additional gemstones around a primary gemstone is a technique to enhance the aesthetic attributes of the primary gemstone. By arranging smaller or otherwise complementary gemstones around a primary gemstone, an arrangement may make the primary gemstone appear to be larger, more or less colorful, or to exhibit more brilliance and fire.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,440 to Roemer, an article includes a primary gemstone and one complementary stone below the primary gemstone. When the primary gemstone is viewed from the top, the color of the complementary stone may be visible through the primary gemstone. Roemer does not select and position the complementary gemstones to direct light into specific locations of a primary gemstone.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,115 to Mesica, an article includes a primary gemstone with multiple complementary gemstones completely surrounding the lower portion of the primary gemstone. While some light may be indirectly reflected into the primary gem, the orientations and dimensions suggested by Mesica do not allow light to be specifically directed into the primary gemstone.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,916 to Ruth, a gemstone arrangement is shown with smaller and more colorful complementary gemstones being juxtaposed with a primary gemstone. The smaller stone is aligned with the center gemstone by arranging the table or pavilion parallel to the pavilion of the center gemstone. The principle of Ruth is to allow colored complementary gemstones to make a primary gemstone appear as having more color than if the primary gemstone was viewed individually. This invention lacks a gemstone arrangement involving complementary gemstones that allow light to be specifically directed to desired locations of the primary gemstone. The angle at which light enters the primary gemstone it directly related to whether the light will exit the primary gemstone through the crown. The embodiments disclosed by Ruth do not allow light to be directed into and out of the primary gemstone with specificity. Furthermore, this embodiment does not utilize lower cut grade gemstones that allow light to enter through the crown and exit through the pavilion rather than internally reflect light that enters through the crown.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA gemstone arrangement comprising one primary gemstone and at least one complementary gemstone is the subject of this novel disclosure. At least one complementary gemstone comprising a crown and a pavilion is juxtaposed with a primary gemstone comprising a crown and a pavilion. The primary gemstone is preferably a step cut diamond the complementary gemstones are preferably square cut gemstones but this disclosure covers alternative embodiments with other gemstone cuts. The gemstones of this arrangement are secured in position by a securing means, which may include ring, necklace, earring, or other jewelry settings.
Ambient light captured by a complementary gemstone is directed into a specific location of a primary gemstone pavilion. The light directed into the primary gemstone is at an angle that results in the light exiting the primary gemstone through the crown. The location and angle that light exits the crown of the primary gemstones is dependent on the location and angle that light is directed into the primary gemstone pavilion by the complementary gemstone. The index of refraction is an important characteristic in determining angles of incidence that allows light to exit the primary gemstone through the crown instead of being internally reflected off the crown walls. Because the index of refraction limits the angles of incidence that allow light to pass through a gemstone wall, the light directed by an at least one complementary gemstone must be such that the light being directed is in a manner to intersect the crown of the primary gemstone at an angle equal to or less than the critical angle for internal reflection. Complementary gemstones direct light similar to convex lenses because complementary gemstones allow light to be directed at a specific location.
This invention discloses a gemstone arrangement that allows the location and direction of directed light exiting the crown of the primary gemstone to be specified by the arrangement. By utilizing the refractive properties of a primary gemstone and at least one complementary gem, the fire and brilliance exhibited by the primary gemstone can be actually increased rather than merely causing an illusionary effect. The novelty of this disclosure can be better understood by reference to the drawings and the following description and claims.
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Primary gemstone 1 has an apex 5, a crown 2, a girdle 10, and a pavilion 3. Crown 2 has a plurality of crown side facets 6, a plurality of crown corner facets 7, and a table 4. Pavilion 3 has a plurality of pavilion side facets 8 and a plurality of pavilion corner facets 9. Table is a level surface and defines a primary plain 11. Depending on the cut of the primary gem, apex 5 may include a culet. The center of table 54 and the center of apex 55 define a primary vertical axis 12. Primary plain 11 and first pavilion side facet 13, second pavilion side facet 14, and third pavilion side facet 15, define angles A, B, and C respectively.
Each complementary gemstone 16 has an apex 21, a crown 17, a girdle 18, and a pavilion 19. Crown 17 has a plurality of upper girdle facets 78 and a table 20. Complementary gemstones 16 are shown as deep cut gemstones. The intersection of the plains defined by table 20, and the external walls of pavilion 19 define a pavilion angle D. A deep cut gemstone is defined as a gemstone with a pavilion angle causing light to enter through the crown to internally reflect off at least one pavilion facet and then exit the gemstone through pavilion 19. The pavilion angle that causes this effect is dependent on the refractive index of the gemstone. The orientation of complementary gemstones 16 is shown with entire gemstone body below primary plain 11 and with the plain defined by table 20 perpendicular to primary plain 11. Complementary gemstones 16 are shown on opposite sides of primary vertical axis 12. However, complementary gemstones 16 being placed perfectly opposite of each other with respect to vertical axis 12 is not required for this disclosure. This embodiment gathers ambient light 26, 27, 28 entering through the crown 17, internally reflects light 26, 27, 28 off of upper facet 22 and then light 26, 27, 28 is refracted into the pavilion 3 or apex 5 of the primary gemstone 1.
In order for light to exit primary gemstone 1 through crown 2, the angle of incidence defined by light 26, 27, 28 intersecting with crown 2 must be equal to or less than the critical angle of incidence for internal reflection. Internal reflection in a gemstone is characteristic of the index of refraction of the gemstone chosen for the gemstone arrangement. Therefore, the angle of incidence for light 26, 27, 28 entering pavilion 3 must be such that the light 26, 27, 28 is directed at the crown 2 at an angle of incidence equal or less than the critical angle for internal reflection. In order to achieve an angle of incidence equal or less than the critical angle, light may reflect of the walls in a primary gemstone multiple times before exiting through the crown. The novelty of this invention is the gathering of ambient light and redirecting the light into the primary gemstone at an angle of incidence that allow the light to exit the primary gemstone through a location of the crown that can be specified by the selection of the gemstone dimensions and gemstone orientation. Light being directed by this disclosure is not limited to light traveling in a vertical plane; light being directed can be directed in all three dimensions. Therefore, a gemstone arrangement can be such that addition light that is viewed by an observer at specific viewing angles and specific locations of the primary gemstone is actually increased. Light being directed is not limited to light traveling in a vertical plane; light being directed can be directed in all three dimensions.
The embodiment in
The location of complementary gemstone 16 is defined by center of complementary table 20. Complementary gemstone location is moveable to the extent that the location of the complementary gemstone allows ambient light to be redirected into a primary gemstone. Therefore, the complementary gemstone is movable in the two dimensions defined by the primary plain 11, and movable vertically in the one dimension defined by the primary gemstone vertical axis. The complementary gemstone may be rotated about its center in any direction that allows ambient light to be direct into primary gemstone at an angle that directs light out of the crown of primary gemstone. Although light may not need to be internally reflected in a complementary gemstone, embodiments may utilize multiple internal reflections to direct light into a primary gemstone.
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Alternative embodiments with more than two gemstones in series are envisioned from this disclosure. Complementary gemstones positioned in series, with respect to light path, can be various specialty cuts, various depths of cut, various dimensions, and various colors so long as the characteristics are to achieve a desired redirection of ambient light into a primary gemstone.
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The selection of a primary gemstone and complementary gemstones and the placement of the gemstones can be better understood by the following figures, which demonstrate the effect that gemstone cut, refractive index, and angle of incidence have on directing light out of a primary gemstone table.
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The described and illustrated embodiments of this disclosure are not limits for this disclosure. Alternative embodiments stemming from alterations by one skilled in the art that do not depart from the substance of this disclosure are intended and understood as being within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A gemstone arrangement comprising:
- a primary gemstone comprising a primary crown and a primary pavilion;
- means for directing ambient light into said primary pavilion, wherein said ambient light entering said primary pavilion exits said primary gemstone through said primary crown; and
- means for securing said primary gemstone and said directing ambient light means.
2. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, wherein said primary gemstone is diamond.
3. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, wherein said primary gemstone is an emerald cut diamond.
4. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, whereing said primary gemstone has a cut selected from a group consisting of step cut gemstones, brilliant cut gemstones, fancy cut gemstones, radiant cut gemstones, asscher cut gemstones, mixed cut gemstones, and rose cut gemstones.
5. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, wherein said primary gemstone has a color selected from a group consisting of colorless, nearly colorless, blue, red, pink, yellow, and green.
6. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, wherein said directing ambient light means is at least one complementary gemstone juxtaposed to said primary gemstone, having a secondary crown and a secondary pavilion.
7. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said at least one complementary gemstone is a diamond.
8. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said at least one complementary gemstone has a cut selected from a group consisting of step cut gemstones, brilliant cut gemstones, fancy cut gemstones, radiant cut gemstones, asscher cut gemstones, mixed cut gemstones, and rose cut gemstones.
9. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said at least one complementary gemstone has a color selected from a group consisting of colorless, nearly colorless, blue, red, pink, yellow, and green.
10. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said ambient light enters said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary crown and exits said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion.
11. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said ambient light enters said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary crown and exits said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary crown.
12. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said ambient light enters said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion and exits said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion.
13. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 6, wherein said ambient light enters said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion and exits said at least one complementary gemstone through said secondary crown.
14. A gemstone arrangement as in claim 1, wherein said securing means is a jewelry setting.
15. A gemstone arrangement comprising:
- a primary gemstone comprising a primary crown and a primary pavilion;
- at least one complementary gemstone comprising a secondary crown and a secondary pavilion, wherein: said complementary gemstone is juxtaposed to said primary gemstone; ambient light enters and exits said at least one complementary gemstone; said ambient light enters said primary pavilion; and said ambient light exits said primary gemstone through said primary crown.
16. The gemstone arrangement of claim 15, wherein the orientation of said complementary gemstone allows said ambient light to enter said complementary gemstone through said secondary crown and exits said complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion, whereby said light exiting said complementary gemstone is directed into said primary pavilion.
17. The gemstone arrangement of claim 15, wherein the orientation of said complementary gemstone allows said ambient light to enter said complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion and exits said complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion, whereby said light exiting said complementary gemstone is directed into said primary pavilion.
18. The gemstone arrangement of claim 15, wherein the orientation of said complementary gemstone allows said ambient light to enter said complementary gemstone through said secondary crown and exits said complementary gemstone through said secondary crown, whereby said light exiting said complementary gemstone is directed into said primary pavilion.
19. The gemstone arrangement of claim 15, wherein the orientation of said complementary gemstone allows said ambient light to enter said complementary gemstone through said secondary pavilion and exits said complementary gemstone through said secondary crown, whereby said light exiting said complementary gemstone is directed into said primary pavilion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 12, 2012
Inventor: Michael M. Mueller (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 12/832,068
International Classification: A44C 17/02 (20060101); A44C 17/00 (20060101);