BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of an encrusted gemstone in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a schematic exploded view of the gemstone of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an encrusted gemstone with frustum-shaped insert diamond;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an encrusted gemstone with dark base diamond and deeply set insert diamond;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic side views of an encrusted gemstone with spherically shaped interface between the base and the insert diamonds, at different depths;
FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a base diamond of an encrusted diamond as part of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B schematically illustrated a shaft for use with the base diamond illustrated in FIG. 5A;
FIGS. 5C and 5D are schematic cross-sectional views of different modifications of the gemstone according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A;
FIG. 5E schematically illustrates the shaft seen in FIG. 5B before assembly;
FIG. 5F schematically illustrates the gemstone according to another modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A;
FIG. 5G schematically illustrates the gemstone according to another modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A; and
FIGS. 6A through 6C schematically illustrate a sequence for assembling the diamond according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5G.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown in schematic side view and in exploded view an encrusted (enhanced) gemstone 10 comprising a base diamond 12 and an insert diamond 14, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
The base diamond 12 has crown 16 with a table surface 18, a pavilion 20 and girdle 22. The table surface 18 has a recessed seat 24 carved therein. The recessed seat is drilled by means of a laser drill known in the art of diamond processing. After that, final polishing of the diamond facets may be made as necessary.
The insert diamond 14 has a pavilion 26 matching the recessed seat 24. The insert diamond is set in the seat by means of special glue, but may be mounted in metallic setting (see below). Preferably, the base diamond and the insert diamond are of different colors.
For example, the insert diamond 14 may be of more intensive color than the base diamond 12. When the base diamond 12 is of light color, the recessed seat 24 preferably does not go deeper than the higher level of the base pavilion 20; else the brilliancy may be lost.
FIG. 2 shows an encrusted gemstone 30 with a light color base diamond 32 and dark color insert diamond 34. The pavilion 36 of the insert diamond 34 and the recessed seat 38 of the base diamond in such case may be frustum-shaped, for the insert diamond to be fully disposed above the pavilion of the base diamond 32. This allows the insert diamond 34 with such a disposition to have a greater area than it could have were its pavilion in the form of a cone with an apex.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an encrusted gemstone 40 comprises a base diamond 42 which is of more intensive color than the insert diamond 44. If the base diamond 42 is of dark color, its recessed seat 46 may be deeper than the higher level of the base diamond pavilion 48. As an example, the insert diamond 44 is shown mounted in metallic bezel setting 50 accommodated in the base diamond 42.
FIG. 4A shows a further embodiment of the present invention, encrusted gemstone 60, comprising a base diamond 62 and an insert diamond 64. Both diamonds are of light but of different, preferably contrasting colors. The insert diamond pavilion 66 and the recessed seat 68 are spherically shaped and the insert is set by means of clear glue, for example UV setting glue. This arrangement allows light to pass the interface between the diamonds substantially without reflection at the interface, and the difference in the color shades creates original contrasts and play of light.
With both the insert and base diamonds being of light color, the insert may be set deeper than the level of the base pavilion 20, as shown in the encrusted gemstone 70 in FIG. 4B.
The base diamond and the insert diamond may be of different shapes, for example a heart-shaped light color diamond encrusted in a dark base diamond of round or emerald shape.
As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the base diamond 12 may be formed with a bore 74 extending axially from the culet 76 thereof through the center of the recessed seat 24. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a shaft 78 adapted to hold the insert diamond 14, is inserted through the bore 74. The shaft 78 comprises an insert retaining portion 80 at a proximal end 78a thereof, and a securing arrangement 82 at a distal end 78b thereof.
The insert retaining portion 80 may be, e.g., in the form of prongs 82, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, each comprising inwardly (i.e., toward the insert diamond 14) directed ends 84 to retain the insert diamond thereby. The prongs 82 may be adapted to form a bezel setting (FIG. 5C), wherein the inwardly directed ends 84 project above the table of the base diamond 12, when the insert diamond is set within the base diamond, or they may be adapted to form an invisible setting (FIG. 5D), wherein the inwardly directed ends 84 are received within notches (not seen) formed therein, and are not seen when the insert diamond 14 is set within the base diamond 12.
The securing arrangement 82 has an abutting surface 90 which has a maximum dimension d which is larger than that of that of the bore 74, (i.e., it is formed so as to be blocked by the portion of the diamond which immediately surrounds and defines the bore, such that prevent entering of the securing arrangement therein is prevented) in order to prevent sliding of the shaft 78 proximally therethrough. The securing arrangement 82 may constitute a separate piece, as seen in FIG. 5E, comprising a cavity 86 adapted to receive the distal end 78b of the shaft 78. The arrangement 82 may be affixed on the distal end 78b in any appropriate manner, such as by welding, or by forming the two parts with cooperating screwingly engaging portions. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 5F, the distal end 78b of the shaft may be deformed, such as by melting or bending to form the securing arrangement.
As seen sin FIG. 5G, the insert diamond 14 may be set within the base diamond 12 such that there is gap 88 therebetween accommodating the insert retaining portion 80. Alternatively, the insert diamond 14 may be set such that it substantially contacts the base diamond 12, as in FIGS. 5C and 5D. In such a case, grooves (not seen) or another appropriate arrangement adapted to receive therein the insert retaining portion 80 may be formed within the contacting surfaces 12a, 14a of the base and insert diamonds.
As illustrated in FIG. 6A, during assembly, the insert diamond 14 is typically secured within the insert retaining portion 80 of the shaft 78, before the securing arrangement 82 is attached. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the distal end 78b of the shaft 78 is inserted through the bore 74. As illustrated in FIG. 6C, once the shaft 78 is fully inserted, the securing arrangement 82 is attached or formed, as described above.
The shaft 78 may be formed as an integral part of a piece of jewelry of which the encrusted gemstone 10 is a part. For example, it may constitute the post of an earring, the pin of a pendant, or the post of a cufflink or shirt stud. The shaft 78 may thus serves a dual role, both securely retaining the insert diamond 14 within the recessed seat 24 of the base diamond 12, as well as serving as a functional element of a piece of jewelry.
Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.
Patent Application
20070266732
