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Patent Abstract
A multiplet jewelry product constructed of two or more layers of
gemstone material affixed together with a transparent film disposed
therebetween to form a composite unit. A translucent image is imprinted
on the transparency film whereby refracted and reflected light is
directed through the image imbedded within the gemstone product.
Patent Claims
I claim:
1. A method of preparing a multiplet jewelry product with internally
embedded visual indicia comprising the steps of: providing first
and second layers of gemstone material having interfacial surfaces;
providing visual indicia in the form of a transparency film with
a translucent image imprinted thereon; securing said interfacial
surfaces together with said imprinted film disposed therebetween
in order to form a composite unit with said translucent image embedded
therein whereby refracted and reflected light is directed through
said image.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second layers
of gemstone material are selected respectively as a gem crown and
a gem pavilion.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pavilion is provided with
surface facets.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said facets are angled for directing
refracted and reflected light through said image.
5. The method of claim 1, including the step of providing a second
set of interfacial surfaces in a selected one of said first and
second layers and securing said second set of interfacial surfaces
together with a second transparent film having a translucent image
imprinted thereon disposed therebetween.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said translucent image is imprinted
on said film with a digital printer.
7. A multiplet jewelry product comprising: first and second layers
of gemstone material having interfacial surfaces; a transparent
film having a translucent image imprinted thereon and disposed and
secured between said interfacial surfaces to form a composite unit
with said image imbedded threin whereby refracted and reflected
light is directed through said image.
8. The multiplet jewelry product of claim 7, wherein said first
and second layers are respectively a gem crown and a gem pavilion.
9. The multiplet jewelry product of claim 8, said pavilion having
surface facets.
10. The multiplet jewelry product of claim 9, wherein said facets
are angled for directing refracted and reflected light through said
image.
11. The multiplet jewelry product of claim 7, including a second
set of interfacial surfaces in a selected one of said first and
second layers with a second transparent film having a translucent
image imprinted thereon secured between said second set of interfacial
surfaces.
12. The multiplet jewelry product of claim 7, wherein said translucent
image is comprised of ink.
Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a jewelry product,
and more particularly to a gemstone product having internally imbedded
visual indicia which appears to be suspended or trapped within and
a natural part of the gemstone.
[0002] Most natural gemstones are minerals that have been crystallized
as a result of high temperatures and pressure exerted by nature
on elements that form the earth's crust. Of more than 3000 minerals
found on earth, only a small percentage qualify as gemstones due
to their beauty, durability, color, and rarity. In recent years
processes have been developed to produce synthetic gems of high
quality almost indistinguishable from natural gems. Synthetic gemstones
include alexandrite, coral, diamond, emerald, garnet, lapis lazuli,
quartz, ruby, sapphire, spinel, and turquoise. Laboratory grown
simulants have an appearance similar to that of a natural gemstone
but have different optical, physical, and chemical properties. These
include coral, cubic zirconia, lapis lazuli, malachite, and turquoise.
[0003] The most sought after are the transparent gems of pure color
which possess special optical properties. Although these stones
are quite ordinary looking in their native form, their special optical
properties produce a very dramatic and pleasing appearance when
the stone is cut and faceted properly. The main purpose of a faceted
gem considered as an optical element is to reflect toward the observer's
eye as large a portion of the incident light as possible. Although
many different cut shapes are used, the most common, and the one
that reflects the most light back toward the observer, is the brilliant
cut. The shape of this cut is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Nomenclature
for the various parts of the shape is also shown in these figures.
[0004] In order to understand why gems are faceted, it is essential
to understand how light behaves once it passes into a gemstone.
When a ray of light strikes the surface of a gem, part of the light
bounces off the surface and part passes through the surface into
the gem (see FIG. 2). The part that bounces off the surface is said
to be reflected, and the angle of incidence (i) equals the angle
of reflection (f), where i and f are defined as shown on FIG. 2.
[0005] Light that passes from one material into another is bent
or refracted. The amount the light bends will depend upon the optical
properties of the two materials. This optical property is unique
to each material and is termed the refractive index (RI).
[0006] Experimentally, it is found that for a ray of light passing
from one material into another, the following equation, known as
Snell's Law, can be written.
(RI).sub.i sin(i)=(RI).sub.r sin(r)
[0007] Where:
[0008] (RI).sub.i=the refractive index of the incident material
[0009] (RI).sub.r=the refractive index of the refractive material
[0010] i=the angle of incidence, and
[0011] r=the angle of refraction
[0012] Two consequences of Snell's Law can be stated as:
[0013] 1. The greater the difference in the refractive indices
of the two materials, the more the ray is bent.
[0014] 2. When light travels from a material of lower RI into a
material of higher RI, the ray is bent toward the normal to the
surface, and conversely when light travels from a material of higher
RI into a material of lower RI, the ray is bent away from the normal
to the surface (see FIG. 3).
[0015] Critical angle: FIG. 4 illustrates the case where light
rays pass from a material with relatively large refractive index
into a material with a smaller refractive index, such as internally
from a gemstone into the air. As a consequence of Snell's law the
ray is bent away from the normal to the surface. At A both reflection
and refraction occur. The critical angle is defined by the situation
shown at B, where the refracted ray is parallel to the surface.
At C the incident angle is larger than the critical angle and no
refracted ray is produced. In this case 100% of the light is reflected
back into the gemstone.
[0016] Brilliance: The brilliance of a gemstone is defined as the
intensity of the internal and external reflections of white light
to the eye from the gem in the face-up position. When cut at the
proper angle, the pavilion facets do their job by reflecting light
which has entered the gemstone and is propagating through the gem
material. In FIG. 5A the pavilion is cut shallow so that most rays
entering the stone from the crown intersect the pavilion at an angle
which allows the light to refract out of the stone. In FIG. 5C these
rays reflect back into the stone when they strike the pavilion facets
the first time, but are refracted out when they intersect the pavilion
facets the second time. In FIG. 5B the pavilion facets are cut at
such an angle that the majority of the light rays entering the crown
are totally reflected back into the gem and subsequently out of
the crown. Maximum brilliance occurs under this condition.
[0017] Dispersion and fire: Fire refers to the rainbow-like flashes
of color seen in cut gemstones. It is essential to realize that
white light is a combination of all light colors. The extent to
which light is refracted is dependent on the wavelength (color)
of the light. Blue light is bent more than red light. Dispersion
is the measure of the amount of refraction of violet light minus
the refraction of red light. The greater the difference between
red and blue light, the greater the dispersion. FIG. 6 illustrates
how white light is separated into its component colors to produce
color flashes or fire in a gemstone.
[0018] Fire is influenced by the gemstones proportions in four
ways; 1) the angle that light enters the stone, 2) the angle that
light exits the stone, 3) the number of facet interactions (bounces)
the light has inside the stone, and 4) the number of times the light
rays spread across facet junctions. Different illumination conditions
and surroundings (the viewing "panorama") can enhance
or diminish the appearance of fire.
[0019] Viewing panorama: Gemstones can appear dramatically different
under different types of lighting, or viewing environment. The environment
includes not only the type of lighting that is illuminating the
stone, but also the surroundings (such as walls, ceiling, floor
coloring, and other objects in the immediate area) in which the
gem is viewed. All of these variables can be classified under viewing
panorama.
[0020] An important distinction between typical office lighting
and candlelight (or sunlight) is the spread of directions from which
the light beams enter the gemstone. Office lighting (often fluorescent
lighting that bounces off white ceilings and light-colored walls)
is considered a type of diffused lighting. In completely diffused
lighting, light strikes the stone evenly from everywhere and from
all angles. Although this type of lighting may highlight the brightness
of a polished stone, the more evenly diffused it is, the more it
will suppress fire.
[0021] Candlelight or sunlight is the opposite of diffused lighting
and is called directional lighting or spot lighting. In spot lighting,
light strikes the gem from one or more single point sources which
are small and bright compared to the areas around them. The contrast
between the light and dark areas in spot lighting, along with the
contrast due to the edges of the gem facets, brings out the fire
in a gem.
[0022] Composite gemstones: A composite gemstone is any stone created
by fusing or cementing together two or more pieces of material.
When two main pieces are joined together they are called doublets,
and when three pieces are joined together they are called triplets.
Doublets and triplets generally are made for one of three reasons;
to enhance the appearance of poor quality stones, to assemble small
stones to create a larger stone, or to imitate more desirable, valuable
gems. Often colored or tinted glue is used to join the pieces. The
result is a diffusion of color throughout the entire stone.
[0023] Cabochon: A cabochon is a gem or bead cut in a convex form
and highly polished but not given facets. Transparent cabochons
with a flat bottom have occasionally been mounted over opaque photographs
or art work, so that the photograph or art work is visible through
the cabochon, as through a lens.
[0024] Numerous techniques exist for making jewelry items having
aesthetically desirable characteristics. Many of these involve doublets
or triplets with various methods of imparting color to the gem.
A number of patents disclose gemstones or novelty items containing
opaque items such as photographic prints, etchings, or objects secured
between layers of glass or gem material.
[0025] Normann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,417) discloses a method of
making multiplet jewelry with internally embedded opaque indicia.
He describes a product constructed of two or more layers of material
affixed together having opaque visual indicia secured therebetween.
The top layer of the multiplet jewelry product is constructed of
a material sufficiently transparent to permit observation of the
visual indicia. Subsequent layers of material consist of a selected
transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent gemstone materials.
Visual indicia useable in this invention is always opaque and includes
symbolic representations, words, alphabet letters, pictures, designs,
or objects. The designs, pictures, symbols, alphabet characters,
and words preferably consist of colored or blackened opaque materials,
including metal (e.g. gold, platinum, silver, palladium, steel,
copper, bronze, aluminum, and titanium), paint, dye, ink, stain,
resinate, ceramic decorating agents, or decal materials.
[0026] Normann's first step is to provide a first layer of transparent
material and a second layer of gemstone material, wherein the first
and second layers each have an interfacial surface. The indicia
are applied to one of the interfacial surfaces, and the two layers
are then joined together.
[0027] In a first embodiment his visual indicia is in the form
of an opaque coating of at least one colored material, with the
coating covering only selected portions of one or more of the interfacial
surfaces, with regions adjacent being exposed and uncovered in order
to produce a discontinuous design.
[0028] In a second embodiment the opaque coating is first applied
to at least one of the interfacial surfaces, then at least one portion
of said coating material is selectively removed so as to form a
design. The portion being removed is removed in its entirety in
order to expose the interfacial surface thereunder.
[0029] In a third embodiment the indicia is formed by depositing
an opaque coating of metal on at least one of the interfacial surfaces,
and then selected portions of the metal coating are removed by using
a photoresist material. A similar technique is described in another
embodiment using a combination of zirconium and gold along with
the photoresist process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0030] It should be noted that if an opaque image on a transparent
medium is illuminated by light passing through the transparent medium
toward the observer, the image will appear as a silhouette only.
Details on the opaque image can only be viewed under incident lighting.
On the other hand, incident lighting is very ineffective for viewing
a transparency. Effective viewing of the transparency requires backlighting
passing through the transparency toward the observer.
[0031] Normann does not recognize, disclose or suggest the unique
advantages and results obtained by using the teachings of the present
invention wherein a transparency film similar to a slide or overhead
transparency containing a translucent image imprinted thereon is
imbedded in the gemstone. The present invention involves a method
of creating a gemstone containing a transparent image that appears
to be suspended or trapped within the stone. This is accomplished
by encapsulating a transparency or transparent film on which the
translucent image is imprinted between two or more pieces of gemstones.
By so incorporating a translucent image into the gemstone, full
advantage may be taken of the aforedescribed gemstone characteristics
to thereby provide a unique result wherein the image is through
illuminated such that the image appears to be an integral part of
the gemstone.
[0032] The present invention incorporates a method of creating
a gemstone containing a translucent image that appears to be an
integral part of and suspended or trapped within the stone. This
is accomplished by providing first and second layers of gemstone
material having interfacial surfaces, providing a visual indicia
in the form of transparency film with a translucent image imprinted
thereon, and then securing the interfacial surfaces together, as
by a suitable glue, with the imprinted film disposed between the
interfacial surfaces in order to form a composite unit. Refracted
and reflected light within the gemstone is directed through the
translucent image giving it a fascinating quality of appearance
and illumination through the gemstone. Normally these first and
second layers of gemstone material are selected respectively as
a gem crown and a gem pavilion. The gem pavilion is preferably provided
with surface facets which are appropriately angled for directing
refracted and reflected light through the translucent image for
illumination.
[0033] More than one translucent image may be imbedded within the
gemstone, thereby providing a three dimensional effect to the entrapped
image. To accomplish this a second set of interfacial surfaces are
provided in either the crown portion or the pavilion portion of
the same gemstone and this second set of interfacial surfaces are
also secured together with a second transparent film having a translucent
image imprinted thereon disposed between the second set of interfacial
surfaces.
[0034] The translucent image may be imprinted on the transparent
film by any suitable means, such as by hand painting or digital
printing, such as with an computer controlled ink jet printer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following
description and claims. The accompanying drawings show, for the
purpose of exemplification, without limiting the scope of the invention
or appended claims, certain practical embodiments of the present
invention wherein:
[0036] FIG. 1A is a top view of a faceted gemstone illustrating
a common cut known as the brilliant cut;
[0037] FIG. 1B is a view in front elevation of the gemstone shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration illustrating how a ray
of light interacts with the surface of a gem;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a graphical view illustrating a light ray passing
from air into a gemstone, and out of a gemstone into air;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a graphical view illustrating total internal reflection
within a gemstone;
[0041] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are combination schematic and diagrammatic
illustrations or views illustrating internal reflection and critical
angle of a gemstone cut for reflected and refracted light rays;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a combination schematic and diagrammatic view
illustrating how the edge of a gemstone acts as a prism;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a photographic perspective view of one embodiment
of the multiplet jewelry product of the present invention in the
form of a pendant;
[0044] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another doublet
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0045] FIG. 9 is a view in front elevation of a triplet embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] A multiplet jewelry product 10 constructed in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention is photographically
shown in FIG. 7. The product 10 is illustrated in the form of a
pendant setting having a gemstone set therein and incorporating
within the gemstone a translucent image 16 which is through lit
or through illuminated by refracted and reflected light passing
through the stone. This provides a unique result wherein the image
16 appears to be an integral part of the gemstone.
[0047] The method of constructing a multiplet jewelry product 10
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated
in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 8. In this embodiment the
multiplet jewelry product 10 consists of a top layer 12, which is
here illustrated as a brilliant cut crown, a transparency film 32
having a translucent image 16 imprinted thereon in the form of a
digitally printed ink jet photograph 34, and a bottom layer 14 of
gemstone in the form of a brilliant cut pavilion. The first and
second layers 12 and 14 of gemstone material are provided with polished
interfacial surfaces 22 and 28 respectively. These interfacial surfaces
22 and 28 together with the imprinted film 32 disposed therebetween
are secured together with an appropriate cement or glue to form
a composite unit with the translucent image 16 imbedded therein
whereby refracted and reflected light within the gemstone is directed
through the translucent image 34. Therefore the facets of pavilion
layer 14 are preferably angled for directing refracted and reflected
light through the image 16. The glue or cement utilized may for
example consist of a clear transparent epoxy glue or a color transparent
epoxy glue.
[0048] The encapsulated film 32 may be cut slightly smaller than
the encapsulating stone pieces in order to protect the film from
exposer to moisture and other harmful agents. Also, the image 16
shown in FIG. 8 is a translucent photographic print 34 which covers
only a central portion of the film 32. However, the translucent
photographic print 34 may, if desired, cover the entire surface
of transparent film 32 as is illustrated in FIG. 7. Also, the photographic
print 34 imprinted on film 32 as shown in FIG. 8 was imprinted through
the use of a computer controlled inkjet computer. However, other
suitable methods may be used to form the image as by hand painting,
a photographic process and the use of a computer controlled laser
printer instead of an inkjet printer. The image 16 may also consist
of translucent initials, logos, symbols, artwork, as well as translucent
photographs. Also, when using computer control techniques to apply
the image 16 it is possible to imprint information to a very small
scale. Such a scale could contain information such as medical information,
identification, or even a serial number for the stone. Such information
can thereafter be exposed through the use of a magnifying glass
or microscope for reading.
[0049] The brilliance and fire of the stone are affected little,
if any, by the inclusion of the translucent image 16 since it does
not impede the natural pattern of light transmission within the
stone. The effect is to produce an image 16 that appears to be suspended
or to float within the gemstone as an integral part of the gemstone
as may be best realized by viewing FIG. 7. The un-disrupted passage
of light through the translucent image creates a pleasing and ethereal
appearance to the image.
[0050] Also, unusual effects are provided particularly when the
jewelry product is exposed to intense spot lighting, which causes
distortion in the image, and requires that the image be viewed from
one or more distinct angles. The image 16 appears to distort or
breakup when viewed from angles intermediate to the preferred viewing
angles, which adds to the mysterious or ethereal appearance of the
image. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the gemstone product 10 is illustrated
in the form of brilliant cut gemstone. Of course other cuts are
acceptable, such as illustrated, for example in FIG. 7.
[0051] Also, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a doublet construction.
A three dimensional effect may be added to the product 10 of the
present invention by providing a triplet as shown in FIG. 9. In
this arrangement an additional transparent film layer 18, having
a translucent image imprinted thereon as before is disposed between
a second set of interfacial surfaces in the pavilion layer 14 of
the gemstone. This second set of interfacial surfaces together with
the included transparent imprinted film 18 are cemented together
in the same fashion as was the first transparent film 32 between
first interfacial surfaces 22 and 28. This arrangement creates an
image on both the top and bottom of the intermediate piece of gemstone
between films 18 and 32 producing a three dimensional effect. Also,
more than one intermediate piece can be used, or in other words
even an additional transparent film with a translucent image imprinted
thereon may be embedded within the gemstone providing three or more
embedded spaced translucent images to enhance the three dimensional
effect even further.
[0052] Other techniques may also be used to enhance the image visibility.
For example, the cutlet, which is the bottom point or tip of the
gemstone, may be enlarged. This cutlet tip may be flattened or rounded
to prevent chipping. Normally enlarging the cutlet is undesirable.
However, when it is enlarged the stone acts essentially as a window
to the parallel top and bottom faces. When applied to a stone within
an encapsulated translucent image as taught by the present invention,
the image becomes crystal clear where it covers the cutlet. The
size of the flattened cutlet may be adjusted relative to the image
size to expose the entire image or just a portion thereof, leaving
the periphery of the image exposed to the natural light transmission
patterns within the stone.
[0053] Another technique which may be applied is by frosting the
interfacial surface, such as surface 28, on the pavilion. This causes
the rays reflected from the pavilion to be defused as they pass
through the translucent image thereby rendering the image more visible.
The amount of frosting can be controlled to attain varying degrees
of visibility and brilliance.
[0054] Another feature which may be applied to the product 10 of
the present invention is to use a frosted film 32. This achieves
the same effect as frosting the gem interfacial surface, but which
covers only the area of the image. This leaves the brilliance of
the annular space around the image undiminished.
[0055] Also, the pavilion can be left as a cone shape in a round
cut stone or smooth without faceting, matching individual shapes
for other shaped stones. This eliminates the bright reflections
from the pavilion. Alternatively, only a portion (usually the top
part) of the pavilion may be faceted, thus creating any desired
balance between brilliance and visibility of the translucent image
16.
[0056] The ideal angle on which the pavilion is cut can determine
the amount of light that is reflected from the pavilion facets.
A shallow or a deep cut will reflect less light thereby diminishing
the brilliance produced. This can also enhance image visibility,
but at the price of diminishing brilliance. Alternatively, the pavilion
can be cut at the ideal angle in its top portion and at a shallower
angle in the lower portion. This returns the annular space around
the image with the brilliance and fire unimpeded, but enhances the
visibility of the image. The lower the change in angle that is introduced
on the pavilion, the smaller is the area through which the visibility
of the image is enhanced.
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