DECORATIVE ARTICLES AND ORNAMENTS

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an alloy for the decorative article, comprising the processes of: superimposing a plurality of alloys having different colors; heating the alloys; performing a metal diffusion of the alloys on a surface, wherein the alloys are mixed; forming a gradation of the materials across an interface; and processing a mass of the materials to adjust an alloy having a gradation of a color formed and appearing on the surface based on metal diffusion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 120) of application No. 10201601110610 filed 16 Aug. 2019. The disclosure of the prior applications is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ornaments including jewelry and watches, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and the like.

In casting the jewelry material, the first metal bulk and the second metal bulk are set in a cylindrical mold. The first metal bulk has a cross-section that gradually decreases toward the inlet of the mold, while the second metal bulk has a cross-section that gradually increases toward the inlet of the mold. The induction coil forms a molten layer along the cross-section of the first metal bulk and the second metal bulk. The gradual movement of the flat molten layer toward the entrance of the mold changes the ratio of the first metal bulk and the second metal bulk within the molten layer, creating a color gradient. In the method of manufacturing a jewelry material, a flat molten layer is formed along a horizontal plane. Although the lines of magnetic force act on the molten layer, convection does not easily occur in the horizontal direction in the molten layer. Since the molten layer is flat along the horizontal plane, color unevenness tends to occur in the molten layer.

As a result, it is difficult to achieve the desired color arrangement in the finished material. The object of the present invention is to provide a decorative article having a color gradient in a well calculated arrangement. Means of solving the issues

SUMMARY

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is a decorative article comprising of an alloy body of gold formed on the basis of metal diffusion and having a gradation of color appearing on the surface.

According to the second aspect, the alloy body comprises a plurality of gold alloys having different colors.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an alloy for the decorative article, comprising the processes of: superimposing a plurality of gold alloy materials having different colors; heating the materials; mixing the gold alloy based on metal diffusion at an interface between the materials; forming a gradation of the materials across the interface; and processing a mass of the materials to adjust a gold alloy having a gradation of a color formed and appearing on the surface based on metal diffusion.

According to the first aspect, since all of the gold alloys (hereinafter referred to as “gold alloys”) are of the same color, when gold alloys of different colors are bonded by metal diffusion, the colors are mixed well based on metal diffusion at the boundary between the gold alloys. The boundary between the gold alloys disappears. As the metal diffusion decreases away from the boundary, a gradation of intermingling materials across the interface is formed. On the surface of the alloy body, there appears a gradation of beautiful color which gradually changes from one color to the other. Since the metal diffusion is realized by a solid metal, the interface between the gold alloys can be arranged at a desired position based on the shape of the solid. A decorative article can thus be provided which has a gradation of color in a well calculated arrangement.

According to the second aspect, the gold alloy provides two or more colors as a starting point in forming the gradation. The color gradually changes from one color to the other across the interface. Thus, a beautiful color gradient appears on the surface of the alloy body. Here, the decorative article may comprise a metal body of gold, palladium or platinum which is bonded to the alloy body on the basis of metal diffusion. If the gold alloy to be bonded has the same color as gold, palladium, or platinum, when the gold alloy and the metal body of different colors are bonded by metal diffusion, the colors mix well based on metal diffusion at the boundary between the gold alloy and the metal body. The boundary between the gold alloy and the metal body disappears. The gradation of the material is formed in the same manner as described above.

According to the third aspect, since all of the gold alloys are of the same color, when gold alloys of different colors are bonded by metal diffusion, the colors are mixed well based on metal diffusion at the boundary between the gold alloys. The boundary between the gold alloys disappears. As the metal diffusion decreases away from the boundary, a gradient is formed across the interface. On the surface of the alloy body, there appears a gradation of beautiful color which gradually changes from one color to the other. Since the metal diffusion is realized by a solid metal, the interface between the gold alloys can be arranged at a desired position based on the shape of the solid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a necklace as a decorative article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a method of manufacturing an alloy body.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a billet.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a ring as a decorative article according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an earring as a decorative article according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a bracelet as a decorative article according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a necklace 11 as a decorative article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The necklace 11 has a chain 12 wrapped around the neck of a person and a pendant 13 coupled to the chain 12. The pendant 13 includes, for example, a gold alloy body 13a formed on the basis of metal diffusion and having a color gradation appearing on the surface. A plurality of diamond grains 13b are embedded in the surface of the alloy body 13a.

The alloy body 13a includes a plurality of gold alloys having different colors. Gold alloys can include, for example, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, red gold, pink gold, green gold, blue gold, purple gold, gray gold, and the like. The white gold consists, for example, of 75% by weight of gold and 25% by weight of palladium or platinum. Yellow gold is comprised of, for example, 75 weight percent gold, 12.5 weight percent copper, and 12.5 weight percent silver. The rose gold comprises, for example, 75% by weight gold, 22.25% by weight copper and 2.75% by weight silver. The red gold is composed of, for example, 75% by weight gold and 25% by weight copper. Alternatively, the red gold may be comprised of, for example, 50 weight percent gold and 50 weight percent copper. The pink gold consists, for example, of 75% by weight gold, 20% by weight copper and 5% by weight silver. Various other compositions are available and possible based on the intended gold alloy. In additional embodiments, various other metals may be used.

Alternatively, the pink gold may be composed of, for example, 75% by weight gold, 19% by weight copper, 4% by weight silver and 2% by weight palladium. The green gold consists, for example, of 75% by weight gold, 6% by weight silver, 10% by weight copper and 9% by weight zinc. Alternatively, the green gold may be composed of, for example, 75% by weight gold, 20% by weight silver and 5% by weight copper. Blue gold is composed, for example, of 75% by weight gold and 25% by weight iron. The purple gold is composed, for example, of 80% by weight gold and 20% by weight aluminum. The gray gold consists, for example, of 75% by weight of gold, 17% by weight of iron and 8% by weight of copper. The color of the gold alloy varies, for example, depending on the weight ratio of gold to copper to silver, to which palladium may be added. However, the weight ratios of the components are merely exemplary. Here, the alloy body may include any one or more of gold, palladium, and platinum bonded to the gold alloy based on metal diffusion.

Since the alloys of gold are of the same color, when gold alloys of different colors are bonded by metal diffusion, colors are mixed well at the boundary between the gold alloys due to metal diffusion. The boundary between the gold alloys disappears. As the metal diffusion decreases away from the boundary, a gradient is formed across the interface. On the surface of the alloy body 13a, a gradation of beautiful color gradually changing from one color to the other appears. Since the metal diffusion is realized by a solid metal, the interface between the gold alloys can be arranged at a desired position based on the shape of the solid. A decorative article can thus be provided which has a gradation of color in a well calculated arrangement.

Next, a method of manufacturing the alloy body 13a will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of plates 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e of different materials having different colors are prepared. In the depicted embodiment, the markings on each plate is to differential the plates for visual purposes and does not identify identical properties or materials of the plates. The materials 14a to 14e are formed into plates. In additional embodiments, 14a to 14e could be formed in to various shapes such as but not limited to, pipes, wires, balls, grains, etc. for visual purposes. Each of the materials 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e are composed of a gold alloy such as K22 gold, K20 gold, K18 gold, K14 gold, K10 gold, K9 gold, or other types of gold. In addition to the plate material of the gold alloy, a plate material of gold (K24 gold), a plate material of palladium alone, or a plate material of platinum alone may be used. In additional embodiments, various other metals can be used for the plates. However, the number of materials is not limited to five. At least adjacent materials 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e have the same color.

The plate members are stacked in a specific order. The order of superimposition is determined based on the hue of the final gradation. The gold alloy has a characteristic color depending on the weight ratio of gold to copper to silver, to which palladium may be added. In the final gradation, the position of the color can be adjusted at the position of the boundary surface of the adjacent plate. The position of the boundary surface can be adjusted by the plate thickness of the plate material. At this time, since the plate material of palladium alone or the plate material of platinum alone has a silver color (white), it is desired to be superposed on, for example, white gold or gray gold. Then, the plate material of palladium alone, the plate material of platinum alone, and the plate material of the gold alloy are mixed well. The boundary disappears and a color gradient is formed. As shown in FIG. 2B, pressure is applied to the stacked body 15 of the stacked plate members. The pressure is appropriately set in accordance with the material and thickness of the plate material included in the superposed body 15 and the number of the plate materials. The pressures can be set, for example, between 39 [kN/cm2] and 981 [kN/cm2]. The degree of adhesion of the materials 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e can be increased at the boundary between the plate members in accordance with the application of pressure.

Heat is then applied to the superposed body 15. Similarly, the heating temperature is appropriately set in accordance with the material and thickness of the plate material included in the superposed body 15 and the number of the plates and the material of the plates. The heating temperature can be set, for example, between 500 degrees Celsius and 1800 degrees Celsius. The heating temperature needs to be a temperature at or lower than the melting point of the material. Heat diffusion proceeds at the boundary between the materials 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e in response to heating.

Similarly, the duration of heating is appropriately set in accordance with the material and thickness of the plates included in the superposed body 15 and the number of plates. The duration of heating can be set, for example, between 60 minutes and 18 hours. The superposed body 15 is integrated by the pressure and heat treatment.

Thus, a billet 16 is formed as shown in FIG. 3. In the billet 16, metal diffusion occurs at the interface between the plates. A gradient is formed across the interface. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the boundary between the plate members disappears on the cut surface 16a of the billet 16. A color gradient appears on the surface of the billet 16, including the cut surface 16a.

The billet 16 is formed into a specific shape by pressing or forging. The surface of the shaped billet 16 is then finished. Thus, the gold alloy body 13a is formed. The pendant 13 is produced on the basis of the alloy body 13a thus obtained.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a ring 21 as a decorative article according to another embodiment. The ring 21 has an annular alloy body 21a shaped to the thickness of the finger. The alloy body 21a has, for example, a gradation of a color formed on the basis of metal diffusion and appearing on the surface. The alloy body 21a is configured in the same manner as the alloy body 13a described above.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an earring 22 as a decorative article according to yet another embodiment. The earring 22 has a metal fitting 23 fixed to the ear in response to a spring force, and a rod-shaped alloy body 24 connected to a can 23a of the metal fitting 23. The alloy body 24 has, for example, a gradation of color formed on the basis of metal diffusion and appearing on the surface. The alloy body 24 is configured in the same manner as the alloy body 13a described above.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a bracelet 25 as a decorative article according to yet another embodiment. The bracelet 25 has an annular alloy body 25a formed to the thickness of the wrist. The alloy body 25a has, for example, a gradation of a color formed on the basis of metal diffusion and appearing on the surface. The alloy body 25a is configured in the same manner as the alloy body 13a described above.

In addition, an alloy body similar to the alloy body 13a can be used for a decorative article such as a tie pin or a hairpin, or can be used for a bezel, a band, a case of a wristwatch, or to other articles known to some skilled in the art which would know of one of the decorative articles. The alloy body similar to the alloy body 13a may be used for a decorative article such as an accent or a metal fitting attached to a bag, a purse, a belt, or the like.

The materials used and the composition of the billets 16 are shown as samples and examples of a few varieties of the layers, the order of the layers, and are no means an exhaustive list of the many different materials, compositions, layers, and layer orders that could be used.

Mentioned in the description are a few examples of the possible combinations of materials used to form the invention. There are almost an unlimited number of options of materials and layering options of the materials based on the intended look and design of the product. In some embodiments, the prevalent types of metals used GOLD (K24, K22, K20, K18, K14, K10, and K9, also Palladium, Silver, and Platinum of varying alloys. In other embodiments, different metals or the like could be incorporated into the product.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A decorative article comprising a plurality of plates, wherein the plurality of plates is diffused together to form a solid plate and the solid plate produces a gradation of color appearing on at least one external surface.

2. The decorative article of claim 1, wherein the solid plate is an alloy body of gold, palladium, and platinum alloys.

3. The decorative article according to claim 2, wherein the alloy body includes gold, palladium, and platinum alloys of different colors.

4. The decorative article according to claim 3, wherein the gradation of color is due to the mixing of the different colors of the alloys.

5. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein the gradation of color is predetermined based on the alloys of the plurality of plates and the order of the plurality of plates.

6. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined force is applied to the plurality of plates based on the alloy of the plurality of plates.

7. The decorative article according to claim 6, wherein a predetermined temperature is achieved on the at least one surface of the plurality of plates based on the alloy of plurality of plates.

8. A method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article comprising:

aligning a plurality of plates of predetermined material compositions; and

diffusing the plurality of plates together along at least one external surface;

wherein a gradation of color is formed on the at least one external surface based on the predetermined material composition of the plurality of plates.

9. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein the plurality of plates are made from a gold, palladium, or platinum alloy of different colors.

10. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein across the interface of the plurality of plates the alloy of the plurality of plates are mixed together forming a gradation of the color.

11. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein a force is applied to the at least one external surface based on the material composition of the plurality of plates.

12. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein a predetermined temperature is achieved on the at least one external surface based on the material composition of the plurality of plates.

13. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, further comprising, calculating a color gradation on the at least one surface, wherein the plurality of plates are selected to achieve the calculated color gradation.

14. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein the plurality of plates are comprised of an alloy of at least 37.5 percent gold.

15. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein a portion of the plurality of the plates are diffused.

16. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 15, wherein the diffused portions of the plurality of plates are a unitary component

17. The method of manufacturing an alloy body for a decorative article of claim 8, wherein a smooth transition between the colors of the plurality of plates is formed.

18. A process of forming a decorative article comprising:

identifying a predetermined color gradation;

selecting at least two plates of a predetermined alloys and predetermined colors;

diffusing the at least two plates together along a surface, wherein a color gradation is formed across the surface.

19. The process of forming a decorative article of claim 18, wherein the diffusion of the at least two plates has a predetermined force and temperature based on the properties of the alloys of the at least two plates.