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Patent Abstract
Wear resistant jewelry apparatus and methods of making the same
wherein articles of jewelry are made from sinterable metal and/or
ceramic powder materials compressed into a predetermined configuration
and then sintered to form a blank from which a jewelry item may
be made and to which softer precious metals, stones, crystals or
other materials suitable for use in jewelry may be affixed. Such
items of jewelry may have multiple facets and can be fabricated
using various disclosed techniques and various combinations of materials.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of making a jewelry article which comprises providing
an annular body made of a hard material comprising tungsten carbide,
with the annular body having at least one external facet; and grinding
the at least one external facet to a predetermined shape to provide
a pleasing appearance to the jewelry article, with the hard material
being long wearing and virtually indestructible during use of the
article.
2. The method of claim 1, which further comprises providing additional
facets or one or more different finishes to the body member to provide
unique reflection characteristics to the article.
3. The method of claim 1, which further comprises highly polishing
the at least one external facet of the annular body to a luster
that is maintained for life of the article and does not require
re-polishing.
4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises grinding a first
frusto-conically shaped facet extending around the outer circumference
of the body, and forming a first outer facet of the body proximate
a first axial extremity thereof, grinding a second frusto-conically
shaped facet extending around the outer circumference of the body,
and forming a second outer facet of the body proximate a second
axial extremity thereof opposite the first axial extremity, with
the first and second outer facets positioned adjacent the external
facet and on opposite sides thereof.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second facets are
ground to have surface angles each within the range of from 1 to
40 degrees relative to the axis of symmetry of the body and are
polished to a mirror finish.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein each external facet is ground
and polished to a mirror finish.
7. The method of claim 5, which further comprises grinding fourth
and fifth frusto-conically shaped facets extending around the inner
circumference of the body.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fourth and fifth facets having
surface angles each within the range of from 1 to 40 degrees relative
to the axis of symmetry of the body and are ground and polished
to a mirror finish.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tungsten carbide comprises
at least 85 weight percent of the hard material.
10. The method of claim 1, which further comprises providing a
cavity in the annular body, the cavity having a predetermined size
and shape that is configured to receive an insert of a decoration
component that provides a substantially different visual effect
to the article.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cavity is configured in
the form of a slot, groove, notch, or hole and is provided in a
preselected location in the annular body.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cavity is configured in
the form of a continuous groove or slot which extends around the
annular body.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the decoration component comprises
a precious metal that is mechanically fit into the slot so as to
hold the components of the jewelry article together.
14. The method of claim 10, which further comprises providing an
insert of a visually different hard material, a precious metal or
a gemstone in the cavity of the annular body.
15. The method of claim 14, which further comprises pre-shaping
the insert to have a mating configuration with that of the cavity,
and retaining the insert in the cavity by a mechanical fit or with
a glue.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the insert comprises a precious
metal and the mechanical fitting comprises one or more of snapping,
pressing, swaging, or burnishing to connect the precious metal to
the hardened substructure.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular body is provided
in the form of a finger ring, earring, or bracelet and has a generally
circular configuration.
18. The method of claim 1, which further comprises providing design
details the annular body which details are maintained in their original
configuration indefinitely.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard material is formed
by sintering powders that consist essentially of tungsten carbide.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard material is formed
by sintering powders that consist essentially of at least tungsten
carbide and a binder material.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the binder material includes
nickel, cobalt, or a combination thereof.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard material is selected
to have a density of at least 13.3 g/cm.sup.3.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one facet is curved.
Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/410,656, filed Apr. 8, 2003, now pending, which is a divisional
of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/571,583, filed May 15, 2000, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,667, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/149,796, filed Sep. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,062,045, which claims the benefit of Provisional application
No. 60/058,136, filed Sep. 8, 1997. The contents of each of these
applications is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods of making
jewelry items such as finger rings, bracelets, earrings, body jewelry
and the like, and more particularly to novel jewelry apparatus and
methods of making same out of "hard" metals including
tungsten carbide, either alone or in combination with precious metals
and jewels such that the hardened materials protect the softer precious
metals and jewels from edge and detail weardown.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Jewelry has for centuries been made of soft materials such
as gold, silver, platinum and other soft materials, because such
metals were malleable, castable, forgeable, moldable or otherwise
formable. However, whereas such materials are relatively easy to
mold, shape and polish, they are equally subject to wear, scratching
and other damage detracting from their longevity appearance and
value, i.e., wearing down of edges to a smooth and rounded state.
[0004] More recently, science has produced other materials including
tungsten, cemented carbide and high tech ceramics that are much
harder than the previously mentioned precious metals, and once formed,
are virtually indestructible when used in a normal jewelry wearing
environment. The problem with such materials is that because of
their hardness, they are very difficult to shape, and once formed,
require special machining and/or grinding tools to alter their configuration
and appearance. Accordingly, with the exception of articulated watch
bands or housings for timepieces of the type made by Rado Watch
Co. Ltd. of Switzerland, such materials have historically not been
used for articles of jewelry of the types mentioned above. However,
I have recently discovered that through the use of powder metallurgy
and sintering processes, such materials can be manufactured and
used to provide faceted designs that were not heretofore practiced.
Furthermore, such materials can be used to enhance and protect precious
metals and gemstones in this jewelry setting.
[0005] In the process of fabricating parts from powdered metals,
the most important step is the one involving the welding together
of the metallic powder to form a solid which will yield the proper
shape and the properties required of the finished part. Although
a good weld cannot be made between metals at room temperature by
pressure alone, when the metal particles are relatively fine and
plastic, a welding may occur that is satisfactory from the viewpoint
of handling, although little or no strength will be developed. Under
pressure, at room temperature, metal powders that are plastic and
relatively free from oxide films, may be compacted to form a solid
of the desired shape having a strength (green strength) that allows
the part to be handled. This result is often called cold-welding.
The welding under pressure of the metal particles in order form
a solid blank of the shape desired, requires the use of pressures
varying from 5 to 100 tons/in.sup.2. Relatively light loads are
used for the molding of the softer and more plastic metals, while
pressures approaching 100 tons/in.sup.2 are necessary when maximum
density is needed and when pressing relatively hard and fine metal
powders such as those used in accordance with the present invention.
[0006] Commercial pressing is done in a variety of presses which
may be of the single mechanical punch-press type or the double--action
type of machine that allows pressing from two directions by moving
upper and lower punches synchronized by means of cams. These machines
also incorporate moveable core rods which make it possible to mold
parts having long cores, assist in obtaining proper die fills and
help in the ejection of the pressed parts.
[0007] The molding of small parts at great speeds and at relatively
low pressures can be accomplished using the mechanical press. For
example, mechanical presses can produce parts at the rate of 300
to 30,000 parts per hour. A satisfactory press should meet certain
definite requirements among which are the following: (1) sufficient
pressure should be available without excessive deflection of press
members; (2) the press must have sufficient depth of fill to make
a piece of required heights dependent upon the ratio of loose powder
to the compressed volume, this being referred to as the compression
ration; (3) a press should be designed with an upper or lower punch
for each pressing level required in the finished part, although
this may be taken care of by a die design with a shoulder or a spring
mounted die which eliminates an extra punch in the press; and (4)
a press should be designed to produce the number of parts required.
The punches are usually made from an alloy of tungsten carbide or
punched steel that can be hardened by oil quenching.
[0008] Heating of the cold-welded metal powder is called the "sintering"
operation. The function of heat applied to the cold-welded powder
is similar to the function of heat during a pressure-welding operation
of steel in that it allows more freedom for the atoms and crystals;
and it gives them an opportunity to recrystallize and remedy the
cold deformation or distortion within the cold pressed part. The
heating of any cold-worked or deformed metal will result in recrystallization
and grain growth of the crystals or grains within the metal. This
action is the same one that allows one to anneal any cold work-hardened
metal and also allows one to pressure-weld metals. Therefore, a
cold-welded powder will recrystallize upon heating, and upon further
heating, the new crystals will grow, thus the crystal grains become
larger and fewer.
[0009] The sintering temperatures employed for the welding together
of cold-pressed powders vary with the compressive loads used, the
type of powders, and the strength required of the finished part.
Compacts of powders utilized in accordance with the present invention
are typically sintered at temperatures ranging from about 1000.degree.
C. to in excess of 2000.degree. C. for approximately 30 minutes.
When a mixture of different powders is to be sintered after pressing
and the individual metal powders in the compact have markedly different
melting points, the sintering temperatures used may be above the
melting point of one of the component powders. The metal with a
low melting point will thus become liquid; however, so long as the
essential part or major metal powder is not molten, this practice
may be employed. When the solid phase or powder is soluble in the
liquid metal a marked delusion of the solid metal through the liquid
phase may occur which will develop a good union between the particles
and result in a high density.
[0010] Most cold-pressed and metal ceramic powders shrink during
the sintering operation. In general factors influencing shrinkage
include particle size, pressure used in cold-welding, sintering
temperature and time employed during the sinteriing operation. Powders
that are hard to compress will cold-shrink less during sintering.
It is possible to control the amount of shrinkage that occurs. By
careful selection of the powder and determination of the correct
pressure of cold-forming, it is possible to sinter so as to get
minimal volume chance. The amount of shrinkage or volume change
should be determined so as to allow for this change in the design
of the dies used in the process of fabricating a given shape.
[0011] The most common types of furnace employed for the sintering
of pressed powders is the continuous type. This type of furnace
usually contains three zones. The first zone warms the pressed parts,
and the protective atmosphere used in the furnaces purges the work
of any air or oxygen that may be carried into the furnace by the
work or trays. This zone maybe cooled by water jackets surrounding
the work. The second zone heats the work to the proper sintering
temperature. The third zone has a water jacket that allows for rapid
cooling of the work and the same protective atmosphere surrounds
the work during the cooling cycle.
[0012] Protective atmospheres are essential to the successful sintering
of pressed powders. The object of such an atmosphere is to protect
the pressed powders from oxidation which would prevent the successfully
welding together of the particles of metal powder. Also if a reducing
protective atmosphere is employed, any oxidation that may be present
on the powder particles will be removed and thus aide in the process
of welding. A common atmosphere used for the protection and reduction
of oxides is hydrogen. Water vapor should be removed from the hydrogen
gas by activated alumina dryers or refrigerators before it enters
the furnace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention relates to a jewelry article having an annular
body formed of tungsten carbide. The annular body has at least one
external face that is ground to a predetermined shape. The tungsten
carbide is long wearing and virtually indestructible during normal
use.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the article is a finger ring
having at least two frusto-conically shaped facets extending around
its outer circumference and a cylindrically shaped exterior portion
forming a third surface. Other embodiments may include facets having
surface angles of 1 to 40 degrees relative to the axis of symmetry
of the body. Various surfaces of the ring may be ground to a mirror
finish. Additional embodiments may include additional facets.
[0015] In general, the hard material of the invention will typically
have a density of at least 13.3 g/cm.sup.3. In one embodiment, the
density is at most 15.1 g/cm.sup.3. In one embodiment, the hard
material includes predominantly sintered tungsten carbide, preferably
including at least 85 weight % tungsten carbide. In one embodiment,
the hard material includes sintered tungsten carbide and at least
one binder. In one embodiment, the hard material includes sintered
tungsten carbide and chromium carbide. In another embodiment, the
hard material includes sintered tungsten carbide and nickel, while
in another it includes sintered tungsten carbide and cobalt. In
a preferred embodiment, the hard material includes sintered tungsten
carbide, chromium carbide, nickel, and cobalt.
[0016] Various embodiments of the invention may include cavities
that may be grooves, slots, notches, or holes wherein a precious
metal or gemstone may be inserted. The jewelry article may also
be in the form of a ring, earring, or bracelet and may include design
details that are maintained in their original configuration indefinitely.
The jewelry article will no require additional polishing during
use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a press mold
of a type used to make jewelry articles in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view illustrating
details of one form of a molded ring component in accordance with
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one step in the
preparation of a ring component in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a sintering step in
accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one method of
combining a precious metal component with a hard metal and/or ceramic
component in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps followed to make
jewelry in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 7-14 are partial cross-sections taken through various
embodiments illustrating alternative forms of rings made in accordance
with the present invention; FIG. 15 illustrates a unitary multifaceted
hard metal/ceramic ring; and
[0024] FIG. 16 depicts a precious metal ring having a hard metal/ceramic
band embedded therein to provide a protective outer wear surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a compressive mold
is depicted at 10 including an annular cavity 12 generally illustrated
and configured to receive a quantity of powdered, hard metal or
high tech ceramic material that can be compressed and formed into
an oversized "green" ring blank by the application of
compressive forces applied by a mating press member 14. The mold
10 may be made in any configuration suitable for forming a particular
annular or other shape, and the illustrated cavity is sized to as
to produce an annular blank that, following shrinkage during subsequent
processing, will have a predetermined size and configuration. Numerous
types of powdered materials can be used in accordance with the present
invention. One such powder includes the following constituents:
1 Nickel 2% to 10% Cobalt 1% to 2% Chromium or Chromium Carbide
0.5% to 3% Tungsten or Tungsten Carbide balance
[0026] Whereas in this example, Nickel and Cobalt are used as binder
materials, other materials such as palladium, platinum, ruthenium,
iridium and gold or alloys thereof, may also be used.
[0027] A ceramic composition might include:
2 ZIRCONIA (wt. %) ZrO.sub.2 + HfO.sub.2 99% SiO.sub.2 0.20% TiO.sub.2
0.15% Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 0.02% SO.sub.3 0.25% LOI @ 1400.degree. 0.30%
[0028] Whereas in this example, ZrO.sub.2+HfO.sub.2 is used as
the matrix material, silicon nitrides, silicon carbides and other
similar materials may be used. In addition, various castoring agents
may be included in the binding materials.
[0029] In FIG. 2 of the drawing, one configuration of a ring is
illustrated at 20 and includes an annular external grove 22 formed
in the outer surface thereof. As illustrated in the cross-section
shown in broken section at 24, the central-most portion 26 of the
internal surface of the blank 20 is cylindrical with the outboard
portions or facets 28 being angled relative thereto at angles typically
in the range of from 1.degree. to 30.degree. relative to surface
26. The axial extremes of the cross-section of this embodiment are
generally semicircular, as illustrated at 32, and the outer surface
is configured to have cylindrical flats 34 and 36 on opposite sides
of grove 22, and angled or frusto-conical shaped facets or flats
38 and 40 on the opposite sides thereof. As an alternative, the
facets 38 and 40 may be configured to have multiple facet surfaces.
[0030] Once removed from the mold, the blank 20 is shaped by machinery
filing, sanding, trimming or other appropriate techniques and may
he burnished as illustrated in FIG. 3 to provide a smooth or textured
surface, and made ready for sintering. Once prepared, the blank
20 is inserted into a sintering oven and the temperature raised
as suggested by the arrows 42, to a suitable sintering temperature
for a predetermined period of time during which the blank becomes
hardened and shrinks to a size appreciably smaller than the size
of the original green blank. However, as indicated above, the mold
was sized taking into consideration the anticipated subsequent shrinkage
and as a result, the ring stock after sintering, has a predetermined
size. This, of course, implies that a different mold will be required
for each ring size. As an alternative, it will be understood that
the blank may be pressed to have a tubular configuration from which
multiple rings may be severed and machined to appropriate individual
sizes.
[0031] Following the sintering operation, the ring stock can be
ground and finish polished, and when appropriate, have a selected
precious metal and/or other material installed in the groove 22
as suggested by the laying in of the soft metal strip 50 depicted
in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Once the metal strip 50 is suitably installed
using methods well known to jewelers, the assembly can be finish
polished and made ready for market. It will, of course, be appreciated
that other forms of materials can be inlaid into the groove 22.
For example, preformed metal, stone, ceramic, shell or other segments
could be glued or otherwise affixed to the ring. Preferably, such
items will be slightly recessed below the surfaces of the facets
34 and 36 so as to be protected thereby.
[0032] Turning now to FIG. 6, which is a flow diagram illustrating
the various steps followed in a preferred method of making a ring
in accordance with the present invention. It will be noted that
once a suitable press and mold has been prepared, the first step
in making a ring or other object is to mix a predetermined combination
of powdered metal or ceramic constituents to develop a sinterable
metallic or ceramic powder. Once properly measured and disposed
within the mold cavity, the powder will be compressed by the mold
to develop an oversized "green" ring blank that, although
somewhat fragile, is stable enough to allow certain processing to
be accomplished prior to sintering. For example, mold lines may
be trimmed and smoothed, surfaces may be sanded or textured, facets
may be smoothed, etc. But once properly prepared, the next step
is to load the blank at room temperature into a non-atmospheric
sintering chamber and raise the temperature thereof to controlled
temperatures, typically varying between 1000.degree. C. to 2000.degree.
C. and then slowly cooled back to atmospheric temperature. Once
cooled, the hardened ring stock or other blank configuration can
be ground and polished to provide the hard metal or ceramic ring
component. At this point, precious metal components, jewels and
other decoration components may be affixed to the hard metal or
ceramic part. One way to affix precious metal to the part is to
use a brazing process and provide the components in varied shapes
of wire sheet tubing or segments of other material that can be fabricated
or forged into appropriate configurations and flit into the mating
groove or channel 22. Fluxed or flux free gold or silver soldered
compounds varying in color and purity between 50% and 99% purity
can be applied on or around desired mating surfaces of the hard
material as well as the precious metal or other materials after
mechanically binding the parts together with round or flat wire
or heat resistant custom fixtures. Prepared fixtures with parts
are then loaded at room temperature into a non-atmospheric chamber
and heated to controlled temperatures varying between 10000 to 2000.degree.
C. and then allowed to cool down slowly to atmospheric temperature.
This brazing operation will not interfere with the previously configured
hard metal or ceramic components since their melting temperatures
are substantially higher.
[0033] Another method of mating the precious metal or other components
to the hardened component is to engineer the hardened component
with various features such as holes, notches, slots, etc., such
that various pre-shaped precious metal or other materials in mating
configurations may be snapped or pressed, swaged or burnished into
the hardened substructure. The resulting mechanical flit will hold
the components together.
[0034] Still another method of mating the precious metal or other
components to the hardened component is to bond them to the hardened
part by means of one or two part hardening resin compounds that
are heat and room temperature cured.
[0035] Also precious metals can be directly cast into cavities
in hard metal or ceramic articles using lost wax techniques widely
used in jewelry making.
[0036] But not withstanding the process used to mate the components
together, once the several components are in fact combined, the
entire assembly can be finished and polished to complete manufacture
of the ring or other article of jewelry.
[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 7 through 14, various cross-sectional
configurations of rings are depicted illustrating combinations of
flats, facets, materials, inserts and component relationships. More
specifically, in FIG. 7, a sintered metal part 60 is shown having
a wide annular groove 62 formed in its outer surface and filled
with a softer precious metal or other material 64. The top surface
oft material 64 may be flush with the top edges 66 of the facets
68 or may be recessed there beneath to enhance the protective function
of the hardened metal part 60. This ring might have an axial length
of 2-14 mm, a wall thickness of 1-2.8 mm and have facets at angles
of from about 2.degree. to 40.degree. relative to the cylindrical
surface 69.
[0038] In FIG. 8, a similar ring design is depicted, but in this
case, utilizing a ceramic material as the hard surfaced part 70
with the sculpted precious metal part 72 being mounted within a
groove 74 formed in the outer perimeter of the hard part 70. Note
the different surface effects that can be achieved by increasing
the angular relationship of the various facets and by depressing
or recessing the surface of the insert 72.
[0039] FIGS. 9-10 depict two-groove embodiments of both sintered
metal and ceramic substructures at 76 and 78 respectively, each
having precious metal or other inserts 80 and 82 formed in the annular
grooves thereof, with the exterior surfaces of the inserts of the
rings being treated differently to achieve substantially different
visual effects. Note, that in either case, the "hard part"
protects the softer precious metal part. Note that in the FIG. 10
embodiment, the internal surface 83 is shown aligned rather than
faceted. Other embodiments may be treated likewise.
[0040] In FIG. 11, a three-groove embodiment is depicted at 84.
[0041] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate alternative embodiments in accordance
with the present invention, wherein the hard metal or ceramic components
are formed by two or more parts that are affixed together. For example,
in FIG. 12, complementary annular sintered or ceramic parts 86 and
88 are provided with shallow bores 90 at several points around facing
surfaces of the components, and a plurality of annular components
92 made of at least two materials 92 are sandwiched together and
bored at intervals matching the bores 90, such that pins 94 may
be extended through the bores in the ring components 92 with the
ends thereof being extended into the bores 90 of the hardened ring
components 86 and 88 to lend mechanical stability to the assembly.
The various components 92 would, of course, be epoxied or otherwise
bonded together.
[0042] In FIGS. 13 and 14, three-part ring assemblies are illustrated
at 96 and 98 respectively, with each being comprised of a central
band 100 and 102 respectively, sandwiched between and mechanically
bonded to a pair of exterior rings 104 and 105 respectively. In
the case of the ring assembly illustrated in FIG. 13, for example,
the exterior components 104 might be of sintered metal or of ceramic
while the interior band 100 might be of a precious metal, or even
of a ceramic or sintered material. In the illustrated configuration,
pockets 108 and azure holes 109 are formed in the interior band
to receive gemstones 110 which are appropriately secured therein.
[0043] In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the interior band is depicted
as being of a ceramic material sandwiched between and mechanically
interlocked to exterior bands 106 made of sintered material or even
precious metal, while the gemstones 112 are set in a precious metal
114.
[0044] FIG. 15. depicts at 120 a multifaceted unitary ring configuration
made of a single, hard metal or ceramic substance. The six highly
polished facets 121 on the outer surface of the ring create a unique
design and visual impression heretofore not possible using prior
art rings making techniques and technologies, because if such configuration
had been made, the peaks 122 would have quickly been eroded, destroying
the esthetic appearance of the ring.
[0045] In FIG. 16 of the drawing, still another alternative embodiment
is depicted wherein a ring made primarily of precious metal 123
includes an annular insert 124 embedded therein and extending above
the uppermost surface of the precious metal component to provide
a protective and esthetically pleasing insert.
[0046] Alternatively, one or more holes or cavities may be provided
around the ring for receiving precious metals and/or set stones.
[0047] The principal concept of this invention is the provision
of an ultra durable hard metal or high tech ceramic type of jewelry
that may or may not incorporate precious metals and/or precious
gem stones. The invention, also provides a unique jewelry manufacturing
process that combines hard metals with precious metals in a manner
such that the precious metals are flush or recessed slightly below
the outer most surfaces of the hard metals over the outer wear surfaces
to achieve maximum abrasion and corrosion resistance. This is not
to preclude the use of protruding precious metal or gemstone components,
but in such cases the protruding components would not be protected
by the harder materials. The invention involves the provision of
jewelry items made from super hard metals such as tungsten and cemented
carbide and high tech ceramics of various colors processed into
a predetermined shape then sintered in a furnace and ground and
polished into finished form. These items may be shaped into concentric
circular ring shapes of various sizes and profiles or individual
parts may be ground into shapes that can be bonded to a precious
metal substrate so as to protect the softer substrate. The hard
metal circular designs encompass all types of profiles and cross-sectional
configurations for rings, earrings and bracelets. Hard metal items
may be processed with various sized and shaped openings distributed
around the perimeter, with other objects of precious metal gem stones
or the like secured into the various openings for cosmetic purposes.
Gem stones set in precious metal may be secured into said openings
for protection from scratching and daily wear.
[0048] Another configuration similar to that depicted in FIG. 11
might include several concentric rings of varying widths and thickness
of precious metal or other material sandwiched between concentric
rings of varying widths, thicknesses and profiles of hard metal.
The components are assembled and bonded together with the softer
precious metal surfaces being recessed below the adjacent surfaces
of the hard metal, thereby causing all of the outer wear surfaces
to be protected by the super hard metals surfaces.
[0049] Annular rings, earrings and bracelets may also be fashioned
by combining variations of precious metal bands with the protective
hard metal individual parts bonded onto and into slots or grooves
or flat areas of the substrate precious metal bands. These hard
metal parts will be positioned to give maximum protections to the
precious metal parts.
[0050] Articles of jewelry may be created using symmetrical or
asymmetrical grid-type patterns. Machined hard metal parts of varying
shapes and sizes may be assembled and bonded onto or into a precious
metal substrate designed where precious metal is recessed for maximum
durability.
[0051] Articles of jewelry in accordance with the present invention
may be made with various types of hard metals and precious metals
where the hard metal is used for both esthetic and structural strength
purposes. Hard metal rods of varying shapes and sizes may be used
in conjunction with precious metals to create a unique jewelry design
having a very high structural strength. Articles of jewelry may
be made entirely of hard metal or a combination of hard metal and
precious metal where the cosmetic surfaces of the hard metal are
ground to have a faceted look. These facets are unique to hard metal
configurations in that precious metal is too soft and facet edges
formed in such soft metals would wear off readily with normal everyday
use.
[0052] The present invention has been described above as being
comprised of a molded hard metal or ceramic component configured
to protect a precious metal or other component; however, it will
be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to a multifaceted,
highly polished jewelry item made solely of the hard metal composition
or ceramic composition.
[0053] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of
making jewelry wherein a rough molded and sintered part is subsequently
machined to produce multiple facets and surfaces that can be highly
polished to provide an unusually shiny ring surface that is highly
resistant to abrasion, wear and corrosion. As used in this description,
the term facet is intended to include both cylindrical and frusto
conical surfaces as well as planar or flat surfaces.
[0054] Although the invention has been disclosed herein in terms
of several preferred embodiments, it is anticipated that after having
read the above disclosure, it will become apparent to those skilled
in the art that various alterations and modifications could be made.
It is therefore my intent that the following claims be interpreted
as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within
the true spirit and scope of the invention. |