Jewelry head constructed in part from a gem

Patent Abstract
A jewelry head constructed in part from a gem. In one configuration the gem may slideably engage a body having at one end a crown able to mount a jewel and at the opposing end an affixing structure functioning to affix the gem to the body. In alternative configurations the gem may have a mounting structure able to mount a jewel. In still-other configurations the gem may have a bore able to accept a jewelry prong.

1. A jewelry head comprising: a) a body; b) a gem having a throughbore able to accept said body; c) a crown positioned at an end of said body, wherein a precious or semi-precious jewel may be mounted to said crown; and d) an affixing structure positioned at an end of said body opposite said crown; wherein said affixing structure is able to affix said gem to said body.

2. The jewelry head according to claim 1, wherein said body is hollow.

3. The jewelry head according to claim 1, wherein said body, said crown and said affixing structure are constructed from the same material.

4. The jewelry head according to claim 1, wherein said gem is selected from the group consisting of an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

5. The jewelry head according to claim 1, wherein said crown further comprises an aperture positioned at about the center of said crown.

6. The jewelry head according to claim 1, where said affixing structure comprises a bendable prong.

7. The jewelry head according to claim 1, wherein said jewelry head is attachable to an article of manufacture.

8. The jewelry head according to claim 7, wherein said article of manufacture is selected from the group consisting of a ring, a pendant, an earring, and a necklace.

9. The jewelry head according to claim 1, further comprising a collar having a throughbore able to accept said body, wherein said affixing structure is able to affix said collar to said body.

10. The jewelry head according to claim 9, wherein said collar is constructed from a precious material selected from the group consisting of a precious stone, silver, and gold.

11. The jewelry head according to claim 1, further comprising a precious jewel mounted to said crown.

12. The jewelry head according to claim 11, wherein said precious jewel is selected from the group consisting of an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

13. The jewelry head according to claim 1, further comprising a semi-precious jewel mounted to said crown.

14. The jewelry head according to claim 13, wherein said precious jewel is selected from the group consisting of a glass, a cubic zirconia, and a plastic.

15. A jewelry head comprising: a) a gem; and b) a mounting structure extending outward from said gem, said mounting structure able to secure a precious or semi-precious jewel.

16. The jewelry head according to claim 15, wherein said gem is selected from the group consisting of an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadeite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

17. The jewelry head according to claim 15, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least three rods.

18. The jewelry head according to claim 15, wherein said mounting structure comprises at least four rods.

19. The jewelry head according to claim 15, wherein said precious jewel is a an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

20. A jewelry head comprising a gem having an aperture extending generally inward, said aperture able to accept a jewelry prong.

21. The jewelry head according to claim 20, wherein said gem is constructed at least in part from a material selected from the group consisting of an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, and a zircon.

22. The jewelry head according to claim 20, further comprising a jewelry prong.

23. The jewelry head according to claim 20, further comprising a precious or semi-precious jewel mounted to said jewelry prong.

Patent Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of jewelry. More specifically the present invention relates to a jewelry head constructed in part from a gem. A precious or semi-precious jewel may be mounted to the disclosed jewelry head.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A jewelry head is an object that retains a jewel, such as a diamond, to an article of manufacture, such as a ring. Jewelry heads are typically formed from metal alloys having at one end a prong or mounting structure able to secure the jewel and at the opposing end an attaching means able to attach the jewelry head to the article of manufacture. A traditional jewelry head is merely a means to display a jewel and does not typically add significant value to the collection. However value is of high importance to both amateur collectors and professional jewelers. Therefore there is a need to provide an improved jewelry head addressing the shortcomings in traditional jewelry heads.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention addresses shortcomings in traditional jewelry head manufacturing by transferring valuable aspects found in a jewel to the jewelry head itself. A first aspect of the present invention is a jewelry head including a body, a gem having a throughbore able to accept the body, a crown positioned at one end of the body and an affixing structure positioned at the opposing end of the body. The crown allows the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel to the jewelry head. The affixing structure affixes the gem to the body.

[0004] A second aspect of the present invention is a jewelry head including a gem and a mounting structure. The mounting structure may extend generally outward such as from the top of the gem and allows the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel to the gem.

[0005] A third aspect of the present invention is a jewelry head including a gem with an aperture or bore able to accept a jewelry prong. A jewelry prong, optionally having a precious or semi-precious jewel, may be mounted to the jewelry head via the bore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention will be disclosed hereinafter, by way of an illustrative, but not limitative example, in preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings where:

[0007] FIG. 1 is an elevated front view of an assembled jewelry head 10 depicting a gem 11, a crown 13 with a mounted jewel 15, and a collar 19.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an elevated front view depicting an unassembled jewelry head 10 and an unmounted jewel 15 showing the body 12 formed as a single unit with the crown 13 and affixing structure 14. A gem 11 and a collar 19 each have a throughbore 18 allowing each to slideably engage the body 12.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an elevated front side view of a jewelry head 10 depicting a gem 11 and a mounting structure 16. The mounting structure 16 depicted includes four rods extending upward from the top of the gem 11. Also shown is a jewel 15 mounted to the mounting structure 16.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front elevated side view of a jewelry head 10 depicting a gem 11 having a bore 20 able to accept a jewelry prong 17, a jewelry prong 17 and a jewel 15.

DEFINITIONS

[0011] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the mechanical and jewelry arts. Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the manufacture procedures described below are employed in the mechanical or jewelry arts. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor also contemplates the plural of that term.

[0012] A "gem" as used herein refers to the precious stone used as a portion of the jewelry head. The gem may have an aperture, a bore or a throughbore depending on the embodiment.

[0013] A "jewel" as used herein refers to a precious or semi-precious material which may be mounted to the crown of the jewelry head. A precious jewel includes jewels formed from a precious material such as a precious stone. A semi-precious jewel includes imitation stones or material having a jewel-like appearance such as glass, plastic, polymers and the like. A semi-precious stone such as cubic zirconia may also be used.

[0014] A "throughbore" as used herein refers to an aperture extending entirely through an object. Both a collar and a gem may have a throughbore to slideably accept a body.

[0015] A "bore" as used herein preferably refers to an aperture extending less than entirely through an object. However a bore may be extended fully through an object and be equivalent to a throughbore. The term "boring" includes the removal of material from an object such as a gem or collar and may extend partially or fully through the object. Boring may be performed using Foredom (R) power tools and accessories (Bethel, Conn.) along with a diamond drill bit which is commercially available through a variety of retailers in the granite, marble and stone cutting industries such as Diamond Drill and Tool (Omaha, Nebr.).

[0016] A "precious material" as used herein refers to a precious stone or precious metal. Examples of precious metals are gold, silver, platinum and the like. A non-precious material includes materials such as glass, plastic, aluminum and the like. A non-precious material may be an imitation of a precious material. For example, cubic zirconia is a non-precious material which is often used to imitate a diamond, a precious material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention encompasses a jewelry head 10 constructed at least in part from a gem 11. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the jewelry head 10 may also include a body 12, a crown 13 and an affixing structure 14. A jewel 15 may be mounted to the crown 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments, a jewel 15 may be mounted to a mounting structure 16 as shown in FIG. 3, or to a jewelry prong 17 then to a gem 11 as shown in FIG. 4. The jewelry head 10 is typically attached to an article of manufacture such as but not limited to a ring, a pendant, an earring, and a necklace. The jewelry head 10 maybe adhesively attached to an article of manufacture, may be slideably attached such as strung together as a necklace or bracelet, may be affixed to an attaching structure such as a clip then clipped to an article of manufacture, and the like. However the jewelry head 10 need not be attached to an article of manufacture.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the gem 11 may have a throughbore 18a allowing the gem 11 to slideably engage the body 12. Once engaged, the affixing structure 14 may affix the gem 11 to the body 12 such as but not limited by bending generally outward a series of prongs. The gem 11 may be rotatably engaged to the body 12 such that the gem 11 may freely spin about the body 12 or may be nonrotatably engaged such as by adding an adhesive to either the gem 11 or the body 12 prior to engagement.

[0019] A variety of gems 11 may be used with the present invention. The gem 11 may be a precious stone such as but not limited to an agate, an alexandrite, an amber, an ametrine, an amethyst, an aquamarine, an apatile, a beryl, a bloodstone, a chrysoberyl or cat-eye, a citrine, a corundum, a chalcedony, a chysocolla, a coral, a diamond, an emerald, a green beryl, a garnet, a quartz, a lolite, a jadcite, a kupzite, a lapis lazuli, a moonstone, a malachite, a moamite, an onyx, an opal, a pearl, a peridot, a red corundum, a ruby, a sardonyx, a sapphire, a spessartime, a sphene, a spinel, a star ruby and sapphire, a sunstone, a tanzanite, a tiger eye, a tourmaline, a topaz, a turquoise, a tsavorite, a zircon and the like. Factors that may influence the choice of gem 11 may be the cost or availability of the desired gem 11, the experience the constructer has with boring through gems 11, and the availability of the appropriate tools such as power tools and drill bits able to penetrate the desired gem 11.

[0020] The gem 11 may be of a variety of sizes and shapes. The gem 11 may be naturally shaped by nature or may be cut or carved. For example, a gem 11 may be spherical, semispherical, triangular, cubic, cylindrical, pentagonal, heptagonal, teardrop, marquee shaped and the like. Shaping the gem 11 may be performed using carving and engraving tools such as those offered by Foredom (R) Power tools and accessories. Diamond drill bits may also be used in the shaping of the gem 11.

[0021] The throughbore 18a allows insertion of the body 12 through the gem 11 and should therefore have a diameter sufficiently large to accept the body 12. The throughbore 18a may be positioned on any side of the gem 11 but typically follows a linear path through the gem 11. However the present invention encompasses a nonlinear throughbore 18a, which may be created using a variety of techniques such as boring thorough two surfaces of the gem 11 at intersecting pathways or vectors. Typically the throughbore 18a is constructed by drilling an aperture through the gem 11 using a power tool and drill bit. As previously eluded to, choosing the appropriate drill bit may depend on the desired gem 11 and may be a factor in choosing the gem 11. Typically gems 11 are very dense and therefore require drill bits able to bore through dense materials. Diamond drill bits are typically used in the granite and marble industries and are sufficiently strong to bore through gems and are commercially available from a variety of retailers in the stone, granite and marble cutting industries. A diamond drill bit may be inserted into a high power drill such as those used in the rock or granite industry. Examples of appropriate power tools are offered by Foredom (R) power tools and accessories.

[0022] The body 12 functions as a central core allowing a gem 11 and crown 13 to be in alignment and provides a structure to slideably engage the gem 11. At opposing ends of the body 12 may be positioned a crown 13, which may allow the mounting of a jewel 15, and an affixing structure 14, which retains the gem 11 about the body 12. The body 12 may be constructed such that it may interconnect with a variety of crowns 13 and affixing structures 14.

[0023] Typically, the body 12 is an elongated structure allowing its insertion through a throughbore 18 thereby allowing a gem 11 or collar 19 to be slideably positioned about the body 12. The configuration of the body's 12 perimeter may be symmetric or asymmetric to allow or prevent a gem 11 from rotating or spinning about the body 12. The body 12 may be solid or hollow. A hollow body 12 may provide access to the underside of a mounted jewel 15 for cleaning.

[0024] The body 12 may be constructed from various materials using a variety of techniques. The body 12 should remain sufficiently strong that an affixed gem 11 will not easily break or shatter the body 12 during ordinary use. Factors that may influence the choice of material may be the cost of the material, whether the body 12 is to be formed together with either the crown 13, the affixing structure 14 or both in a single mould, and whether a hollow body 12 or solid body 12 is desired. Examples of appropriate materials are aluminum or other malleable metal alloys, silver, gold, polymer plastic, and wood. As one skilled in the art of mechanical device construction would recognize, the techniques to form the body 12 may vary according to the chosen material or materials. The body 12 may be cast as a single mould, cast generally planar then wrapped to form a hollow structure, or cast as multiple components then assembled or fused together using traditional assembly and fusing techniques known in the mechanical arts.

[0025] The crown 13 is a structure that assists in the retention of the gem 11 to the body 12 by preventing the gem 11 from toppling off the top of the body 12 and may facilitate the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel 15. The crown 13 should therefore have a perimeter or circumference greater than the throughbore 18. The surface of the crown 13 may follow the general silhouette of the gem 11 or may protrude outward or inward with reference to the general silhouette of the gem 11.

[0026] The crown 13 may have a surface complimentary to the gem 11 such that the crown 13 and gem 11 interlock or share complementary surfaces. One or more of these surfaces may be partially coated with an adhesive to adhere the crown 13 to the gem 11 or surfaces may remain unadhered.

[0027] The crown 13 may facilitate the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel 15 by having a recessed or concave portion. The recessed or concave portion may be positioned generally at the top of the jewelry head 10 as depicted in FIG. 2 or may be positioned along the perimeter of the crown 13. Alternatively, a prong 17 or mounting structure 16 may be incorporated in the crown 13 to facilitate the mounting of a jewel 15. In another alternative, the crown 13 may be substantially flat or have a substantially flat portion that may function as a contact surface between a jewel and the crown 13. Typically an adhesive such as a jeweler's adhesive may be used to secure the jewel 15 to the crown 13.

[0028] The crown 13 may further have an aperture or throughbore positioned in alignment with a hollow elongated portion of the body 12 allowing the jewel's 15 underside to be cleaned. This aperture may be in any shape and may be constructed by drilling or carving a hole through the crown 13.

[0029] The crown 13 may be constructed from a variety of materials such as but not limited to gold, silver, aluminum, polymer plastic and the like. The crown 13 may be cast as a single unit with the body 12 or may be formed separately then fused to the body 12. A separately cast crown 13 may be used with a variety of bodies 12 and may be chosen according to the size of the jewel 15.

[0030] The affixing structure 14 may affix or retain a gem 11 or collar 19 about the body 12. The affixing structure 14 is positioned generally at the bottom or lower portion of the body 12 and may provide a surface in which the jewelry head 10 is adhered to an article of manufacture. Once a gem 11 is engaged with the body 12, the affixing structure 14 may be in part positioned within a throughbore 18 or may be entirely inside or outside of the throughbore 18. The affixing structure 14 may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may be formed with the body 12 or formed separately then fused to the body 12. The preferred affixing structure 14 includes three prongs, which may be bent or flanged outward once the gem 11 or collar 19 is slideably engaged with the body 12. However two prongs as well as four or more prongs may also be used with the present invention. Optionally the affixing structure 14 may be flanged or bent into a recess within the gem 11 or collar 19. Optionally, the affixing structure 14 is adhered to a gem 11 or a collar 19 using an adhesive. The bending or flanging of the affixing structure 14 may wedge the gem 11 or collar 19 against the crown 13 thereby affixing the gem 11 or collar 19 to the body 12. Alternatively, the affixing structure 14 may not wedge the gem 11 or collar 19 to the body 12 but merely prevent the gem 11 or collar 19 from sliding off the body 12. Afterwards, any excess portion of the affixing structure 14 may be removed such as by clipping the end off each prong. The affixing structure 14 may also facilitate the attachment of the jewelry head 10 to an article of manufacture by adhering the lower portion of the affixing structure 14 to the article of manufacture. Alternatively the collar 19 or gem 11 may be attached to an article of manufacture. The affixing structure 14 may be constructed from a rigid material or a malleable material depending on the configuration chosen. Examples of appropriate structures include but are not limited to aluminum, gold, silver and the like.

[0031] In another embodiment the affixing structure 14 includes at least two prongs able to be squeezed towards one another to accept a gem 11 or a collar 19 then released allowing the at least two prongs to return to their original position. In this configuration, the affixing structure 14 may have a fish hook-like end preventing the gem 11 or collar 19 from sliding off the body 12. Typically flexible materials would be desirable in this configuration such as polymer plastic. Portions of the affixing structure 14 may be removed after assembly.

[0032] The present invention may further include a collar 19. The collar 19, like the gem 11, may be slideably positioned about the body 12 through an aperture or throughbore 18b. The collar 19 may be placed along the body 12 before, after, or before and after the gem 11. The collar 19 may have complimentary surfaces to the gem 11, the crown 13 or the affixing structure 14. The collar 19 may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as precious or nonprecious materials such as precious stones, gold, silver, aluminum, glass, plastic, and the like. The collar 19 may be cut or carved into a variety of shapes such as but not limited to spherical, semispherical, cylindrical, trapezoidal, teardrop, marquee, triangular, cone, pyramid, cubic, pentagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and the like. The collar 19 may be shaped such that the shape of the collar 19 follows the silhouette of the gem 11 or may protrude generally outward or inward.

[0033] In the second aspect of the present invention the jewelry head 10 includes a gem 11 and a mounting structure 16 able to mount a jewel 15. The gem 11 may be any gem 11 formed in part from a precious stone as previously described above. Typically the mounting structure 16 extends outward from the gem 11 and preferably extends generally upwards. The mounting structure 16 allows the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel 15 to the jewelry head 10.

[0034] The mounting structure 16 retains the jewel 15 to the gem 11. The mounting structure 16 may squeezably mount the jewel 15 or maybe adhesively bound to a jewel 15. Furthermore, the positioning or configuration of the mounting structure 16 may depend in part by the size of the jewel 15. For example, a larger jewel 15 may require a greater area within the mounting structure 16 than a smaller jewel 15. The mounting structure 16 may be rigid or semi-malleable allowing the mounting structure 16 to be bent in contact with a jewel 15.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, which depicts one preferred embodiment, four rods may function as a mounting structure 16. The four rods may be inserted into four apertures in the gem 11. The four apertures or bores may be drilled inward from the top of the gem 11 using a diamond drill bit and Foredom (R) power tools. The four rods extend generally upward and facilitate the mounting of a precious or semi-precious jewel 15.

[0036] In other embodiments the gem 11 may further include a bore 20 allowing the mounted precious or semi-precious jewel 15 to be positioned partially below the plane of the top of the gem 11. The mounting structure 16 may be positioned at least in part within the bore 20. The gem 11 may have carvings or inlays about the surface. The gem 11 may be attached or adhered to a variety of articles of manufacture if desired such as but not limited to a ring, a pendant, an earring, and a necklace.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, a third aspect of the present invention includes a jewelry head 10 including a gem 11 having an aperture or bore 20 able to accept a jewelry prong 17. The bore 20 may be drilled or carved such that the shape of the aperture or bore 20 generally corresponds to the shape of the jewelry prong 17. Typically this shape is generally triangular, cone-like or pyramid-like however it may correspond to or compliment a variety of prong 17 shapes. The outline of the bore 20 may be a variety of shapes such as but not limited to circular, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and the like. The aperture or bore 20 may be created using a variety of techniques such as but not limited to drilling or carving the gem 11 using power tools such as Foredom (R) power tools and accessories.

[0038] The jewelry prong 17 may be any commercially available jewelry prong 17 or a jewelry prong 17 created by one skilled in the art of jewelry manufacturing. Preferably the jewelry prong 17 is affixed to the gem 11 within the aperture or bore 20 using a jeweler's adhesive but this is not meant as a limiting affixing technique. The precious or semi-precious jewel 15 may be mounted to the jewelry prong, 17 prior to or after affixing the jewelry prong 17 to the gem 11.

EXAMPLES

[0039] The following examples are provide to assist in the construction of preferred embodiments of the disclosed invention and are not intended to be limiting of the disclosed invention.

Example 1

Choosing an Appropriate Stone to Use as a Gem for a Jewelry Head

[0040] A variety of precious stones are gathered for testing. Each stone is secured to prevent movement. A power drill from Foredoom (R) Power Tools and Accessories with a diamond drill bit for a cutting stone from Diamond Drill and Tool is used to drill into the stone. A throughbore 18a is created by drilling entirely through the stone. Those stones which result in a throughbore 18a are chosen to be used as a gem 11 in the creation of a jewelry head 10. Those stones which cannot be penetrated or do not result in a throughbore 18a such as those that crumble apart are not chosen as a gem 11.

Example 2

Construction of a Jewelry Head and the Mountin of a Precious Jewel

[0041] An emerald is chosen as the gem 11 for creation of a jewelry head 10. The emerald is cut to the desired size using Foredom (R) power tools and accessories. The emerald is shaped generally spherical with the top and bottom flattened using Foredom (R) power tools and accessories. A throughbore 18a is drilled linearly through the emerald using a diamond drill bit and with a Foredom (R) power drill. The emerald is tumbled and polished using standard jewelry preparation methods.

[0042] A mould is manufactured to allow the moulding of a body 12, crown 13 and affixing structure 14 as a single unit. The mould is cast to provide the following characteristics: the crown 13 is to have an upper concave surface to facilitate mounting of a jewel 15; the general shape of the crown 13 is cylindrical with a diameter about equal to the flattened surface of the emerald and greater than the throughbore 18a; and the affixing structure 14 includes three prongs spaced approximately equidistant from one another along the perimeter of the end of the body 12 opposite the crown 13. Molten aluminum is pored into the mould and allowed to harden and cool. The single unit is removed and polished.

[0043] A collar 19 is also prepared by use of a mould. The collar 19 is inverted partial cone shaped such that the top, or larger circular end, of the cone has about the same diameter as the lower flattened end of the emerald. Molten plastic is poured into the mould and allowed to harden and cool. The collar 19 is removed, shaped and bored using Foredom (R) power tools and accessories, then cleaned and polished using standard techniques known in the jewelry industry.

[0044] The emerald is slid over the affixing structure 14 and positioned next to the crown 13 such that the upper flattened surface of the emerald and the lower portion of the cylindrical head 10 are in contact with one another. The collar 19 is slid along the body 12 next to and in contact with the emerald. The three prongs, which make up the affixing structure 14, are bent outward and along the surface of the collar 19. The three prongs are clipped such that excess is removed. A diamond is used as a precious jewel 15 and is mounted to the crown 13 by applying a jeweler's adhesive to the diamond and pressing the diamond against the crown 13. The jewelry head 10 is mounted to a ring using jewelry adhesive.

Example 3

Construction of a Jewelry Head Having a Mounting Structure and the Mounting of a Semi-Precious Jewel

[0045] A green beryl is chosen as the gem 11, four rod structures are chosen for the mounting structure 16, and a cubic zirconia is chosen as the semi-precious jewel 15. The green beryl is cut to the desired size and to a general cube-shape using Foredom (R) power tools and accessories. Four apertures are drilled generally inward from the top of the green beryl using a diamond drill bit and a Foredom (R) power drill. Each of the four rod structures are affixed to the green beryl by adding a jeweler's adhesive to the aperture and slideably inserting one rod in each aperture. The adhesive is allowed to dry. The jewelry head 10 is tumbled and polished using standard tumbling and polishing procedures well known in the jewelry arts.

[0046] A cubic zirconia is mounted to the mounting structure 16 by applying jeweler's adhesive to each of the four rods and contacting the cubic zirconia to each of the four rods. Excess adhesive is removed and the adhesive is allowed to dry. The jewelry head 10 is mounted to a pendant using a jeweler's adhesive and the end product is cleaned and polished.

Example 4

Construction of a Jewelry Head Able to Accept a Jewelry Prong and the Mounting of the Jewelry Prong to the Jewelry Head

[0047] A ruby is chosen as a jewelry head 10 and a commercially available jewelry prong 17 is chosen as the prong 17 to be mounted to the ruby. The ruby is cut to the desired size and into an inverted cone-shape with the opposing ends flattened. The wide portion of the cone, or jewel 15 mounting end, is bored using a diamond drill bit and Foredom (R) power tools and accessories. The bore 20 is sized such that approximately one third (1/3) of the jewelry prong 17 may be inserted into the bore 20, which generally corresponds to the shape of the lower third of the jewelry prong 17. The ruby is cleaned, tumbled and polished using techniques well known in the jewelry arts. Jeweler's adhesive is placed in the bore 20, the lower third of the jewelry prong 17 is inserted in the bore 20, and the adhesive is allowed to dry. The resulting mounted jewelry head 10 is cleaned, tumbled and polished. The jewelry head 10 is mounted to a ring using a jeweler's adhesive.