Patent Application
20190014873
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
It is contemplated that the conventional pearl from which the pearl body 111 is formed may define a wild or a cultured pearl.
The exposed interior of the pearl body 111 includes a hollowed section 112 in which discrete decorative items 113 have been integrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the hollowed section defines a rim. The decorative items 113 typically define a single or plurality of discrete gemstones, pearls, or some combination thereof (or portions of the same). In the preferred embodiment, the decorative items 113 are integrated into the hollowed section 112 through a two part resin which adheres the decorative items 113 in a surface of the hollowed section 112. It is contemplated, however, that in other embodiments, other conventional adhesives may be employed. In
It is contemplated that hollowed section 112 may define either a crafted cavity which has been bored into or otherwise created on the interior surface of the pearl body 111 or an inherent cavity in a pearl which has been grown with a hollow interior (commonly referred to as a souffle pearl). In the illustrated embodiment, the hollowed section 112 defines a crafted cavity which is sized to substantially define the interior surface.
It is understood that in various embodiments, various styles of cultured pearls may be employed, including without limitation Tahitian, south sea, freshwater, saltwater pearls, and any other suitable method for pearl growth.
As illustrated in
Referring now to
As with the first embodiment, the conventional pearl from which the pearl body 211 is formed may define a wild or a cultured pearl. Moreover, it is contemplated that if a souffle pearl defines the pearl body 211, the opening section 212 is may be formed to reveal the hollow interior section (namely, the inherent cavity therein), in whole or in part, of the souffle pearl.
Integrated in the opening section 212 are discrete decorative items 213. As with the first embodiment, the decorative items 213 may define gemstones and/or pearls, and are preferably integrated into the opening Section 212 through a two part resin which adheres the decorative items 213 in a surface of the opening section 212. In
It is contemplated that in a third embodiment 400, a geode style pearl pendant defines a pearl member similar to the first and second embodiments in that it includes a pearl body 410 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface 411. In this third embodiment, preferably the pearl has been pierced all the way through, providing an aperture that extends all the way through the pearl 415, entering on one surface and exiting the opposite surface of the pearl, creating an aperture 415 extending out the far side of the pearl. This preferably allows a user to see through the pearl, looking through the cavity 412 and out the aperture 415 that extends through the pearl and out the opposite surface of the pearl. Similar to the other embodiments, discrete decorative items 413 are integrated in the aperture section, typically disposed on the interior edge 414. In a preferred variation, the interior edges of the aperture 414 can be set with one or more of gems, crystals, precious stones, and any other suitable form of decoration. This can preferably be included in a pendant jewelry assembly 420, with at least one of a chain and cord 422 looped through an attachment point 421 attached to exterior surface 411 of the pearl body 410.
Similar to the pearl member of the first embodiment, the pearl member 210 has a pearl body 211 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface. In the second embodiment, however, the pearl body 211 includes an opening section 212.
Illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
It is contemplated that the slicing of the target pearl may be performed with a handsaw or band saw.
Once the sliced pearl part is produced, a pearl cavity is prepared. It is contemplated that for the first embodiment, a solid pearl (not a souffle pearl) is preferably employed. As such, provided the sliced pearl part was from a Solid pearl, the pearl cavity is prepared by boring a hole into the interior surface of the sliced pearl part to create a crafted cavity. In such an embodiment, the cavity will generally define essentially all of the interior surface, leaving only a rim surrounding the cavity. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the cavity a smaller portion of the interior surface.
The boring of the sliced pearl part is typically performed with ball burs using flexible shaft tool.
In alternate embodiments, it is appreciated that if the sliced pearl part was from a souffle pearl, removing any earth matter utilized in growing the souffle pearl (or other conventional material used to grow souffle pearls) is removed to reveal an inherent cavity. It is contemplated that the removal of conventional earth matter is commonly accomplished using hydrogen peroxide and water and ball burs with a flexible shaft tool. The removal of the earth matter may, however, be carried out in any suitable manner.
The preparation of the pearl cavity next requires that the interior surface (which, if the cavity defines substantially all of the interior surface, will be the cavity and the surface of the rim) of the slice pearl part be sanded, typically with one or more of 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, this surface are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once polished, excess buffer compound is washed and cleaned off from the interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl cavity.
Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode style pearl, the sliced pearl part with a pearl cavity is then prepared for jewelry use. The preparation for jewelry use is defined by drilling holes to mount findings into the sliced pearl part and then attaching desired findings (or other jewelry attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is understood that attaching the findings may be accomplished with a conventional adhesive.
Any desired cavity decorative items, such as gemstones or seed pearls, are then integrated onto the sliced pearl part. The integration of decorative items into the sliced pearl part begins with the application of a multi-part adhesive, defined in the preferred embodiment as a two part resin, onto the interior surface of the sliced pearl part. It is appreciated that while the multi-part adhesive may be applied anywhere on the revealed interior surface of the sliced pearl part where it is desired to attach decorative items, the multi-part adhesive is applied to the surface of the pearl cavity to create a geode style pearl in accordance with the present invention. Gemstones, pearls, or other decorative items are then added to the interior surface of the sliced pearl part where the multi-part adhesive was applied, and the multi-part adhesive is then allowed to cure for a predetermined curing time period. In one embodiment, the curing time period defines 24 hours.
Following the curing time period, the integration of decorative items into the sliced pearl part is then completed by cleaning off the excess multi-part adhesive. It is contemplated that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may be performed a conventional solvent. In Some embodiments, a solvent that includes methylene chloride, such as Attack® is employed.
Once the integration of decorative items is completed to form a pearl member in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, if desired, such a pearl member may be assembled into a particular type of jewelry.
Referring now to
Once a bored pearl is produced, the preparation of the interior surface begins with the sanding of the interior surface and the rim of the bored pearl, typically with one or more of 220, 320, 400, 600, and 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, these surfaces are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once polished, excess buffer compound is washed and clean off from the interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl cavity.
Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode style pearl, the bored pearl is then prepared for jewelry use. The preparation for jewelry use is defined by drilling holes to mount findings into to bored pearl and then attaching desired findings (or other jewelry attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is understood that attaching the findings may be accomplished with a conventional adhesive.
To integrate any desired cavity decorative items, such as gemstones or seed pearls, onto the interior surface of the bored pearl, a multi-part adhesive, defined in the preferred embodiment as a two part resin, is first applied onto the interior surface of the sliced pearl part. Gemstones, pearls, or other decorative items are then added to the interior surface where the multi-part adhesive was applied, and the multi-part adhesive is the allowed to cure for a predetermined curing time period. In one embodiment, the curing time period defines 24 hours.
Following the curing time period, the integration of decorative items into the bored pearl is then completed by cleaning off the excess multi-part adhesive. As with the first embodiment, it is contemplated that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may be performed a conventional solvent.
Once the integration of decorative items is completed to form a pearl member in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, if desired. Such a pearl member may be assembled into a particular type of jewelry.
The present invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
