CUSTOMIZABLE RING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to customizable jewelry having user-interchangeable modules. In an illustrative embodiment, the jewelry may be a ring. For example, the interchangeable module may be a substantially-rigid semi-annulus structure removably coupleable to the cylindrical annulus of the ring between about 90 and 180 degrees of the shank circumference. The shank may include a mounting portion having a semi-annular thinned region for receiving the module. In some examples, the module may couple to the shank through a reluctance force. In some examples, the module may include alignment features for preventing unwanted movement relative the shank. For example, the module may include alignment features along a peripheral edge to couple with complementary alignment features of the mounting portion. The module may characterize a user's personality, such as for example include customizable designs, colors, slogans, or pay tribute to a particular country, sport, hobby, or event.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to customizable jewelry and more specifically to an article of jewelry, such as a ring, having interchangeable modules.

BACKGROUND

Rings have been worn by persons throughout most of recorded history. In ancient times, rings may have been worn as a sign of wealth or of societal importance. Aristocrats may have worn rings bearing an official seal. Such a ring may have been used to imprint the seal to wax that secured close letters written on behalf of the aristocrat. Today, rings are worn for fashion and as symbols of events or relationships. For example, rings symbolizing major sports victories are worn by champions of various sporting activities. Rings are worn to signify that a man or woman is married or engaged. Rings may have birth stones indicating the month of a wearer's birth. Anniversary rings may have the birth stones of a person's children to symbolize motherhood or fatherhood.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to customizable jewelry having user-interchangeable modules. In an illustrative embodiment, the jewelry may be a ring. For example, the interchangeable module may be a substantially-rigid semi-annulus structure removably coupleable to the cylindrical annulus of the ring between about 90 and 180 degrees of the shank circumference. The shank may include a mounting portion having a semi-annular thinned region for receiving the module. In some examples, the module may couple to the shank through a reluctance force. In some examples, the module may include alignment features for preventing unwanted movement relative the shank. For example, the module may include alignment features along a peripheral edge to couple with complementary alignment features of the mounting portion. The module may characterize a user's personality, such as for example include customizable designs, colors, slogans, or pay tribute to a particular country, sport, hobby, or event.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a decorative module may be releasably coupled by a reluctance force for engaging a complementary portion of a shank worn on a person's finger, the decorative module including a substantially-rigid cylindrical semi-annulus which, when reluctantly coupled, extends around the shank's cylindrical annulus between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees. In some examples, a magnet may be permanently secured to the module by being seated within a slot along the underside of the module. In some examples, the module may include gripping portions for assisting in the removal of the module from the shank. For example, lower edges of the module may be curved to enhance a grip upon the module for separating the module from the shank.

The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary ring assembly being worn on a finger.

FIGS. 2A-6 depict detailed views of exemplary components of the ring assembly.

FIGS. 7-10 depict alternate arrangements of the exemplary ring assembly.

FIGS. 11-16 depict additional alternate arrangements of the exemplary ring assembly.

FIGS. 17A-18C depict exemplary ring ornament storage devices. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, a customizable ring assembly having a removable module is briefly introduced with reference to FIG. 1. Second, with reference to FIGS. 2A-6, the discussion turns to exemplary embodiments that detail the customizable ring. Specifically, FIGS. 2A-3 depict the entire ring assembly, FIG. 4 depicts the magnet, FIG. 5 details the interchangeable module in a variety of views, and FIG. 6 details the shank in a variety of views. Then, with reference to FIGS. 7-16, further explanatory discussion is presented to explain improvements in the customizable ring assembly. Finally with reference to FIGS. 17A-17B exemplary storage devices for ornamental members will be described.

FIG. 1 depicts a ring assembly being worn on a finger. A customizable ring assembly 100 includes a shank 105 worn on a finger. The shank 105 may be formed in a hollow-cylindrical shape. In some exemplary embodiments, the shank 105 may be adjustable in diameter. In other exemplary embodiments, the shank 105 may be fixed in diametric size. The shank 105 includes a mounting portion 110 for releasably receiving the interchangeable module 115. The mounting portion 110 of the shank 105 has a lesser thickness than the remaining portion of the shank 105, such that when the module 115 is coupled to the shank 105 the outer surface of the module 115 is flush with the outer surface of the shank 105. The shank 105, mounting portion 110, and module 115 may be rigid in structure. The module 115 may be decorative, such as by being a certain color or colors, having a specific pattern, logo, or emblem, commercial slogans, or having an attached gem stone, for example. In some examples, the module 115 may be representative of a country flag or symbolic colors. In other examples, the module 115 may include a representation of a sporting device, such as a soccer ball, baseball, or hockey stick. In some examples, the module 115 may include a three-dimensional model, such as Olympic rings, for example.

FIGS. 2A-6 depict detailed views of exemplary components of the ring assembly. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the interchangeable module 115 is removably coupled to the cylindrical annulus of the shank 105 of the customizable ring assembly 100 along about 180 degrees of the shank 105 circumference. In some examples, the interchangeable module 115 may be removably coupled to the cylindrical annulus of the shank 105 along about 90 degrees of the shank 105 circumference. In other examples, the interchangeable module 115 may be removably coupled to the cylindrical annulus of the shank 105 between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees of the shank 105 circumference.

The shank 105 and the interchangeable module 115 include alignment features 120, 125 to prevent unwanted movement of the interchangeable module 115 relative the shank 105. In the depicted example, the shank 105 includes an alignment notch 120 extending along opposing longitudinal peripheral edges of the mounting portion 110. The interchangeable module 115 includes an alignment ridge 125 extending along opposing longitudinal peripheral edges of the interchangeable module 115. The alignment ridge 125 of the module 115 aligns with the alignment notch 120 of the mounting portion 110 to prevent the module 115 from moving back and forth relative the shank 105. The module 115 and the shank 105 also include opposing blunt ends to make contact when the module 115 is coupled to the shank 105 to prevent the module 115 from rotating relative the shank 105. The blunt ends may include alignment features, such as for example a recess and tab structure. Along an inside of the blunt end of the mounting portion 110 is a curved edge 130 to provide a gripping point for the wearer and assist in removal of the module 115 from the shank 105.

The module 115 is coupled to the shank 105 through a reluctance force. In the depicted example, a magnet 135 is recessed within a notch 140 along the underside of the module 115. The mounting portion 110 of the shank 105 is formed from a magnetically permeable and/or magnetized material such that when the module 115 nears the mounting portion 110 of the shank 105, the magnet 135 causes the module 115 to be securely retained on the mounting portion 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the mounting portion 110 may include a complementary recess for receiving an extruded magnet 135. The complementary recess and extruded magnet 135 may assist in properly aligning the module 115 upon the mounting portion 110 of the shank 105.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) shank 105 may include a magnet in its thicker portion opposite mounting portion 110 that creates a magnetic force throughout the whole of shank 105 or through a magnetic band that couples to mounting portion 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the module 115 is flush with the outer surface of the shank 105 when the module 115 is releasably coupled to the shank 105. In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the module 115 may be recessed from the outer surface of the shank 105 or may protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the shank 105.

The magnet 135, as shown in FIG. 4, is a rectangular shaped structure having suitable magnetic force to secure the module 115 upon the mounting portion 110 of the shank 105 while the user is wearing the ring assembly 100. In some examples, more than one magnet 135 may be used to secure the module 115 to the mounting portion 110 of the shank 105. FIGS. 4-6 depict exemplary dimensions of the magnet 135, interchangeable module 115, and shank 105; however other dimensions may be used with respect to the ring assembly 100 as can be appreciated with alternate sizing of the shank 105 and sizing and weight alterations of the interchangeable modules 115.

FIGS. 7-10 depict alternate arrangements of the exemplary ring assembly. In FIG. 7, the ring assembly 100 includes a mounting portion 110 extending about 180 degrees of the shank 105 circumference to mate with a correspondingly sized module 115. In the depicted example, a pair of magnets 135 are attached to the mounting portion 110 to correspondingly align with notches 140 along the inside surface of the module 115. The notches 140 include magnetically permeable and/or magnetized material for being magnetically secured to the magnets 135 on the mounting portion 110. Attached to an outside surface of the module 115 is a three-dimensional object 145 in the shape of a gem. In the depicted example, the three-dimensional object 145 is a diamond. Other gems, such as a ruby, emerald, pearl, or gold, for example, may be used as the three-dimensional object 145. The gems may be authentic or faux.

In FIG. 8, the shank 105 includes multiple mounting portions 150, 155, 160 spaced along a circumference of the shank 105. A first mounting portion 150 receives a first module 165. The first module 165 includes a magnet 170 for magnetically coupling to the first mounting portion 150. The magnet 170 is exemplarily illustrated as protruding from the bottom of the first module 165; however, the magnet 170 may be embedded within the module 165 in other examples. The first mounting portion 150 may also include a recessed portion (not shown) to receive the magnet 170 such that the first module 165 is stable within the first mounting portion 150. The first module 165 includes a decorative three-dimensional object 175 protruding from the outside surface of the first module 165.

A second mounting portion 155, spaced apart from the first mounting portion 150, receives a second module 180. The second module 180 includes a magnet 185 for magnetically coupling to the second mounting portion 155. The second magnet 185 is exemplarily illustrated as protruding from the bottom of the second module 180; however the second magnet 185 may be embedded within the second module 180 in other examples. The second mounting portion 155 may also include a recessed portion (not shown) to receive the second magnet 185 such that the second module 180 is stable within the second mounting portion 155. The second module 180 may have a different design, shape, and/or size than the first module 165. In some exemplary embodiments, the first module 165 and the second module 180 may have similar sizes such that the first and second modules 165, 180 may be interchanged within the first and second mounting portion 150, 155. In other exemplary embodiments, the first and second modules 165, 180 may be different sizes such that the first and second modules 165, 180 only fit within their corresponding first and second mounting portion 150, 155.

A third mounting portion 160, spaced apart from the first and second mounting portions 150, 155, receives a third module 190. Adjacent the third mounting portion 160 are a pair of actuating retainers 195 having a catch member and biasing spring. The actuating retainers 195 are configured to secure the third module 190 by being removably received within a pair of corresponding notches 200 of the third module 190. The third module 190 may include a cover 205 to provide access to an inner compartment 210. In some exemplary embodiments, the cover 205 may be lockable via a key or access code to provide enhanced security for the inner compartment 210.

The actuating retainers 195 may be configured in to any other FIGS. 1-7 to secure module 115 by being removably received within a pair of corresponding notches 200 of module 115. In an alternative embodiment actuating retainers 195 may be located on module 115 and corresponding notches 200 on shank 105.

In FIG. 9, the mounting portion 110 is elongated to receive a first module 215, a second module 220, and a third module 225 end-for-end. The modules 215, 220, 225 may be arranged in different orders along the mounting portion 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the modules 215, 220, 225 may include letters or words along an outside surface. The modules 215, 220, 225 may be arranged in different orders along the mounting portion 110 to form different words or phrases. In the depicted example, each module 215, 220, 225 includes an embedded magnet 230, 235, 240 to magnetically couple the respective module 215, 220, 225 to the mounting portion 110 of the shank 105.

FIG. 10 depicts a module 245 having a protruding magnet 250 received by a recessed mounting portion 110. The module 245 has a rectangular shape and includes a three-dimensional object 255 attached to an upper surface of the module 245. In the depicted example, the three-dimensional object 255 is an Olympic ring. In some exemplary embodiments, the three-dimensional object 255 is fixed to the module 245. In other exemplary embodiments, the three-dimensional object 255 may be removably attached to the module 245, such as by being magnetically attached, through hook and loop fasteners, through snap fasteners, or through adhesive, for example.

FIGS. 11-16 depict additional alternate arrangements of the exemplary ring assembly. The alternate arrangements include modules having different designs, slogans, colors, and shapes. For example, FIG. 11 depicts a ring assembly having interchangeable modules incorporating various street sign phrases. FIG. 12 depicts a ring assembly having interchangeable modules incorporating various artistic patterns. FIG. 13 depicts a ring assembly having interchangeable modules incorporating social phrases. FIG. 14 depicts a ring assembly having interchangeable modules incorporating sports themes and colors. FIG. 15 depicts a ring assembly having interchangeable modules incorporating various colors. FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary assemblage of the ring assembly.

FIGS. 17A-18C depict exemplary ring ornament storage devices. In FIG. 17A, an exemplary pen storage device 1700 includes a storage cap 1705 coupled to a pen 1710. The storage cap includes a ring coupling region 1715 and an array of ring adornment couplers 1720. A user may store a ring on the storage cap 1705 if the user so chooses. The storage cap 1705 may provide secure storage of a number of ring adornments that are attachable to the ring.

In some embodiments, the pen 1710 may have storage couplers for ring adornments. Any semi-cylindrical storage device may employ ring adornment couplers to store ring adornments. The storage cap 1705 may have one or more magnets for providing a coupling force to ring adornments having a magnetic coupling material. For example, ring adornments made with nickel, cobalt or iron may be magnetically coupled. Ring adornments with permanent magnets may similarly be coupled to a semi-cylindrical storage device. In some embodiments, complementary orientation features on a semi-cylindrical storage device may couple to orientation features of the ring adornments to provide positional security in a coupled state.

In FIG. 17B, an exemplary bracelet storage device 1725 includes a number of adornment coupling sites 1730. The adornment coupling sites 1730 may have visible artwork displayed that can be seen when no adornments are coupled to the adornment coupling sites 1730. The adornment coupling sites may face the adornments radially away from a wearer's wrist, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the adornment coupling sites may face the adornments in an axially direction, for example. In some embodiments, a semi-toroidal storage device may provide secure storage of adornment devices. Adornment devices may be interchanged with a base ring or another storage device. The storage devices may be jewelry in their own right, for example. The storage device may be otherwise functional, such as the pen storage device 1700 depicted in FIG. 17A.

In FIGS. 18A-18C, an exemplary carrier device 1800 includes a ring case 1805 coupled to a clip 1810. The carrier device includes a ring coupling region 1815 and an array of ring adornment couplers 1820. A user may store a ring on the carrier device 1800 if the user so chooses. The ring case 1805 may provide secure storage of a number of ring adornments that are attachable to the ring. In some embodiments, the carrier may clip on or act as pen cap.

FIGS. 18A-18C depict exemplary dimensions; however other dimensions may be used with respect to the rings, the ring case, top clip or bottom cap.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, ring assembly includes a decorative ring member releasably coupleable by a reluctance force that engages a complementary portion of a ring worn on a person's finger, the decorative ring member including a substantially-rigid cylindrical semi-annulus which, when reluctantly coupled, extends around the ring's cylindrical annulus between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees.

In some exemplary embodiments, the shank may be flexible in structure. For example, the shank may be formed of a flexible metal or plastic strand. The strand may include an embedded magnet or magnetically permeable (e.g., relative magnetic permeability >1) member for receiving the module and securing the module to the shank.

In an exemplary embodiment, the shank may be formed of a durable material, such as a precious metal, and may be formed by those methods known in the art, such as machining, soldering, or casting. In some examples, the module may be formed of a precious metal and be formed in a similar manner as the shank. In some examples, the module may be formed of a different metal or material than the shank. For example, the shank may be formed of a more valuable material than the module. In some examples, the shank and/or the module may be formed of a plurality of materials, such as for example wood, plastic, and/or metal.

In accordance with another embodiment, three or more spaced apart magnets may be used to secure the module to the mounting portion of the shank. In some exemplary embodiments, the module may be magnetically secured to the shank. In other exemplary embodiments, the mounting portion may be formed of a similar or equal thickness as the remaining portion of the shank. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the mounting portion may have a greater side-to-side width than the remaining portion of the shank. For example, a module having a greater width than the shank may be attached to the mounting portion. In other examples, due to the wider mounting portion, multiple modules may be attached to the mounting portion side-by-side. In other examples, the shank may include a plurality of mounting portions spaced along a circumference of the shank.

In accordance with another embodiment, the interchangeable module may have a rectangular shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the interchangeable module may have a star shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the interchangeable module may have a triangular shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the interchangeable module may have a circular shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the interchangeable module may be in the shape of a country, sports equipment, musical instrument, animal, plant, or person, for example.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the module may incorporate street signs phrases, catchphrases, flags, trending topics, status updates, sports teams, hash tags and memes. In some exemplary embodiments, the magnetic member may be used to suspend the module from the shank or mounting portion.

In an illustrative embodiment, a decoratively-configureable ring may include a substantially-rigid semi-cylindrical ring decorator. The ring decorator may have a semi-annulus shape. The semi-annulus shape may span between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 180 degrees. The ring decorator may have an interior surface having a first radius. The ring decorator may have a decorative exterior surface having a second radius greater than the first radius.

In some embodiments, a decoratively-configurable ring may include a substantially-rigid cylindrical ring configured to be worn on a person's finger. The ring may have an interior surface having third radius less than the first radius. The cylindrical ring may have an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion. The non-engagement portion may be a semi-annulus portion having an exterior surface having a radius substantially equal to the second radius. The engagement portion may be configured to receive the ring decorator. The engagement portion may be an exterior semi-annulus portion having an exterior surface less than or equal to the first radius.

In an exemplary embodiment, a decoratively-configurable ring may include a magnet fixedly coupled to either the ring decorator or the ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the ring decorator and the ring may include a magnetically permeable material. In some embodiments, when the ring decorator is received by the engagement portion of the ring, the ring decorator may be magnetically coupled to the ring.

In an illustrative embodiment, a decoratively-configurable ring may include various means for releasably coupling the ring decorator to the ring. For example, in some embodiments, coupling means may include a magnet. In some embodiments, coupling means may include means for aligning a ring decorator with a ring. In some embodiments, aligning means may include complementary alignment features on a ring decorator and on a ring. For example, a ring may have a projection that is configured to be received into a complementary recess on a ring decorator when the ring decorator is releaseably coupled to the ring.

In some embodiments, complementary alignment features on a ring and on a ring decorator may be configured to lock a ring decorator into a fixed relation with respect to the ring to which it is coupled. For example, a magnetic reluctance force may draw a ring decorator toward a ring. When properly aligned, a projection from a ring decorator may be received into a cavity in a ring as the ring decorator is moved from a detached to an attached position. In an exemplary embodiment, complementary alignment features may resist rotational movement of a ring decorator with respect to a ring to which it is coupled. For example, rotational movement may be restricted about axes that intersect a central axis of a ring. In some embodiments, complementary alignment features may resist translational movement in a direction other than the radial direction. For example, the radial direction may be a direction that is unresisted by the complementary alignment features so as to permit removal of a ring decorator from a ring.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modification may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated.

Claims

1. An decoratively-configureable ring comprising: a substantially-rigid semi-cylindrical ring decorator comprising a semi-annulus spanning between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 180 degrees, the ring decorator having an interior surface having a first radius and a decorative exterior surface having a second radius greater than the first radius;a substantially-rigid cylindrical ring configured to be worn on a person's finger, the ring having an interior surface having third radius less than the first radius, the cylindrical ring having an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, the non-engagement portion comprising a semi-annulus having an exterior surface having a radius substantially equal to the second radius, the engagement portion configured to receive the ring decorator, the engagement portion comprising an exterior semi-annulus having an exterior surface less than or equal to the first radius; anda magnet fixedly coupled to either the ring decorator or the ring,wherein one or more of the ring decorator and the ring comprises magnetically permeable material, wherein, when the ring decorator is received by the engagement portion of the ring, the ring decorator is maintained in engagement with the ring by a reluctance force established between the magnet and the magnetically permeable material.

2. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the ring decorator has a ring securing member at each of opposite ends of the semi-annulus, wherein the ring has complementary ring decorator securing members, wherein when the ring decorator is secured to the ring, the ring securing members and the ring decorator securing members engage so as to resist non-radial translations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring.

3. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the ring decorator has a ring securing member at each of opposite ends of the semi-annulus, wherein the ring has complementary ring decorator securing members, wherein when the ring decorator is secured to the ring, the ring securing members and the ring decorator securing members engage so as to resist rotations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring, the resisted rotations having axes that intersect a central axis of the ring.

4. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the magnet is fixedly coupled to the ring decorator.

5. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the magnet is fixedly coupled to the ring.

6. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the magnet is a first magnet, the decoratively-configurable ring further comprising a second magnet that is fixedly attached the ring or the ring decorator that is not fixedly coupled to the first magnet.

7. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the semi-annulus of the ring decorator spans approximately 180 degrees.

8. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 1, wherein the semi-annulus of the ring decorator spans between approximately 120 degrees to approximately 180 degrees.

9. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 8, wherein one of the ring securing members comprises a recess and one of the ring decorator securing members comprises a protrusion.

10. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 8, wherein one of the ring securing members comprises a protrusion and one of the ring decorator securing members comprises a recess.

11. An decoratively-configureable ring set comprising: a set of two or more substantially-rigid semi-cylindrical ring decorators, each ring decorator comprising a semi-annulus spanning between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 180 degrees, the ring decorator having an interior surface having a first radius and a decorative exterior surface having a second radius greater than the first radius;a substantially-rigid cylindrical ring configured to be worn on a person's finger, the ring having an interior surface having third radius less than the first radius, the cylindrical ring having an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, the non-engagement portion comprising a semi-annulus having an exterior surface having a radius substantially equal to the second radius, the engagement portion configured to receive the ring decorator, the engagement portion comprising an exterior semi-annulus having an exterior surface less than or equal to the first radius; anda magnet fixedly coupled to the ring,wherein each of the ring decorators comprises magnetically permeable material, wherein, when one of the ring decorators is received by the engagement portion of the ring, the received ring decorator is maintained in engagement with the ring by a reluctance force established between the magnet and the magnetically permeable material.

12. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 11, wherein the ring decorator has a ring securing member at each of opposite ends of the semi-annulus, wherein the ring has complementary ring decorator securing members, wherein when the ring decorator is secured to the ring, the ring securing members and the ring decorator securing members engage so as to resist non-radial translations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring.

13. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 11, wherein the ring decorator has a ring securing member at each of opposite ends of the semi-annulus, wherein the ring has complementary ring decorator securing members, wherein when the ring decorator is secured to the ring, the ring securing members and the ring decorator securing members engage so as to resist rotations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring, the resisted rotations having axes that intersect a central axis of the ring.

14. The decoratively-configurable ring set of claim 11, wherein the semi-annulus of the ring decorator spans approximately 180 degrees.

15. The decoratively-configurable ring set of claim 11, further comprising a ring-decorator storage device, the ring decorator storage device comprising a plurality of engagement portions, each of the engagement portions comprising an exterior semi-annulus having an exterior surface less than or equal to the first radius, wherein, when one of the ring decorators is received by one of the engagement portions of the ring-decorator storage device, the received ring decorator is maintained in engagement with the ring by a reluctance force established between the magnet and the magnetically permeable material.

16. An decoratively-configureable ring comprising: a substantially-rigid semi-cylindrical ring decorator comprising a semi-annulus spanning between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 180 degrees, the ring decorator having an interior surface having a first radius and a decorative exterior surface having a second radius greater than the first radius;a substantially-rigid cylindrical ring configured to be worn on a person's finger, the ring having an interior surface having third radius less than the first radius, the cylindrical ring having an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, the non-engagement portion comprising a semi-annulus having an exterior surface having a radius substantially equal to the second radius, the engagement portion configured to receive the ring decorator, the engagement portion comprising an exterior semi-annulus having an exterior surface less than or equal to the first radius; andmeans for releasably coupling the ring decorator to the ring.

17. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 16, wherein means for releasably coupling the ring decorator to the ring comprises means for aligning the ring decorator with the ring.

18. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 17, wherein means for aligning includes a complementary alignment features on the ring decorator and the ring.

19. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 17, wherein the means for aligning includes means for resisting non-radial translations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring.

20. The decoratively-configurable ring of claim 17, wherein the means for aligning includes means for resisting rotations of the ring decorator with respect to the ring, the resisted rotations having axes that intersect a central axis of the ring.