METHOD OF ENHANCING BRILLIANCE, FIRE AND SCINTILLATION OF GEMSTONES AND GEMSTONES MADE BY THE METHOD

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to gemstones, and envisages a method of enhancing brilliance, fire and scintillation of gemstones and gemstones (100) made by the method. The gemstone (100) comprises a metal collet (104) defined by a body having a substantially flat surface (116) and at least one pocket (114) defined in the flat surface (116). At least one jewel (118) secured in the at least one pocket (114). The gemstone (100) further comprises a dome-shaped crystal crown (102) defining an operatively substantially flat base (110), wherein the base (110) is complementary to the flat surface (116) of the collet (104). The dome shaped crystal crown (102) is securely mounted on the collet (104) to enhance the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the gemstone (100). The gemstone (100) comprises a girdle (106) defining the junction between the collet (104) and the dome-shaped crystal crown (102).

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to gemstones. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for improving the Enhancing Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation of gemstones.

Definition

The word ‘dome’ herein this specification refers to hemispherical shape, or a spherical shape which is more or less than the hemisphere.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Gemstones may be precious or semiprecious stones. Gemstones include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanites and the like which are the popular precious stones and they may also include semiprecious stones for example, topaz, quartz, aquamarines, garnets and the like. Precious stones and semiprecious stones for use as gemstones are made by carefully cutting and polishing rough generally mined crystals. The rough crystals are cut aesthetically in various cuts such as brilliant, heart shaped, marquise, pear, emerald and princess cut. The brilliance of the gemstone is also improved by careful faceting. The size of the gemstone is measured in carats and its value is increased by improvement of its color, brilliance, fire and scintillation. These qualities are enhanced on the basis of structural contrast in the facets to bounce light around within the crystal lattice of the gemstone and by the reflection and refraction of the external light falling on the gemstone.

A gemstone typically comprises a crown on the operative top surface, a pavilion in the operative bottom, and a girdle separating the crown from the bottom. The girdle is an intermediate edge between the crown and the pavilion. A gemstone is mounted with the help of the pavilion which is typically conical in the piece of jewelry with the help of optical glue. Optical glue is used so that the glue itself does not distort the brilliance and scintillation of the stone.

Large size gemstones can be expensive and finishing these stones can also be a difficult task as precise polishing, faceting, and finishing is required to bring out the brilliance, fire and scintillation of both natural and lab grown gemstones. This disclosure provides a method by which the brilliance, fire and scintillation of precious and semiprecious gemstones can be enhanced without much loss of the gemstone and by using a technique by which the value of the finished gemstone is enhanced.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gemstone having enhanced brilliance, fire and scintillation.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of enhancing the brilliance, fire and scintillation of a precious or semi-precious gemstone

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of enhancing the brilliance, fire and scintillation of a precious or semi-precious gemstone, said method being economical, and with less wastage.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a gemstone comprising a metal collet defined by a body having a substantially flat surface and at least one pocket defined in the flat surface. At least one jewel secured in the at least one pocket. The gemstone further comprises a dome-shaped crystal crown defining an operatively substantially flat base, wherein the base is complementary to the flat surface of the collet. The dome shaped crystal crown is securely mounted on the collet to enhance the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the gemstone. The gemstone comprises a girdle defining the junction between the collet and the dome-shaped crystal crown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A gemstone in accordance with the present disclosure and steps relating to a gemstone will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation of a typical gemstone in which the parts of the gemstone are marked;

FIG. 2a illustrates a front elevation of the first step of the method of the present disclosure showing an embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal.

FIG. 2b illustrates a front elevation of the first step of the method of the present disclosure showing another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal.

FIG. 2c illustrates a front elevation of the first step of the method of the present disclosure showing yet another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal.

FIGS. 3a & 3b illustrates an isometric view of a metal base in accordance with a second step of the method of the present disclosure

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate isometric views of two embodiments of the third step, in accordance with the present disclosure in which in FIG. 4a a single stone is embedded in the metal base and in FIG. 4b multiple stones are embedded in multiple pockets in the metal base;

FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate isometric views of two embodiments of the fourth step, in accordance with the present disclosure in which in FIGS. 5a and 5b the cut and polished gemstone crystals of FIG. 2b are being mounted on the metal bases containing the embedded stones in accordance with the third step of the method shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the final step of the method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the mounting of the crystal on the metal base is complete after a gluing process;

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the final gemstone in accordance with the present disclosure with enhanced brilliance, fire and scintillation; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a graph depicting the dispersion of light through the jewel embedded in the crown, of FIG. 1, of the present disclosure for obtaining the desired brilliance, fire and scintillation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING

10   Gemstone
12   Crown of the gemstone
14   Pavilion of the gemstone
16   Girdle of the gemstone
100  Composite gemstone according to this disclosure
102  A crystal crown of the composite gemstone 100
104  A metal base or collet of the composite gemstone 100
106  Girdle of the composite gemstone 100
102a An embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal
     crown
102b Another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone
     crystal crown
102c Yet another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone
     crystal crown
110  Flat base for the crystal crown 102
114  Pocket in the collet 104
116  Upper flat surface of collet 104
118  Jewel to be embedded in the pocket/pockets 114 in the
     collet 104
120  Incident light rays
122  Refracted light rays

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The present disclosure relates to gemstones. More particularly, the present disclosure provides methods for improving the Enhancing Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation of gemstones.

Gemstones may be precious or semiprecious stones. Gemstones include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanites and the like which are the popular precious stones and they may also include semiprecious stones for example, topaz, quartz, aquamarines, garnets and the like. Precious stones and semiprecious stones for use as gemstones are made by carefully cutting and polishing rough generally mined crystals. The rough crystals are cut aesthetically in various cuts such as brilliant, heart shaped, marquise, pear, emerald and princess cut. The brilliance of the gemstone is also improved by careful faceting. The size of the gemstone is measured in carats and its value is increased by improvement of its color, brilliance, fire and scintillation. These qualities are enhanced on the basis of structural contrast in the facets to bounce light around within the crystal lattice of the gemstone and by the reflection and refraction of the external light falling on the gemstone.

A gemstone typically comprises a crown on the operative top surface, a pavilion in the operative bottom, and a girdle separating the crown from the bottom. The girdle is an intermediate edge between the crown and the pavilion. A gemstone is mounted with the help of the pavilion which is typically conical in the piece of jewelry with the help of optical glue. Optical glue is used so that the glue itself does not distort the brilliance and scintillation of the stone.

Large size gemstones can be expensive and finishing these stones can also be a difficult task as precise polishing, faceting, and finishing is required to bring out the brilliance, fire and scintillation of both natural and lab grown gemstones. This disclosure provides a method by which the brilliance, fire and scintillation of precious and semiprecious gemstones can be enhanced without much loss of the gemstone and by using a technique by which the value of the finished gemstone is enhanced.

A gemstone in accordance with the present disclosure and steps relating to a method for making the gemstone are described in the accompanying drawing, FIGS. 1 through 7:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation of a typical gemstone in which the parts of the gemstone are marked. Referring to FIG. 1 a gemstone generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 comprises a crown 12, a pavilion 14, and a girdle 16, separating the pavilion from the crown 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the crown 12 is dome shaped, the pavilion 14 is conical and is separated from the crown by the girdle 16. The gemstone 10 as disclosed herein may be natural or lab grown.

The present disclosure depicts herein a composite gemstone 100 shown in FIG. 7 comprising a crystal crown 102, a metal base or collet 104 separated by a girdle 106. The composite gemstone 100 has enhanced brilliance, fire and scintillation as compared to the gemstone 10 of the prior art.

An exemplary method of making the composite gemstone 100 is described and illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2a-6.

FIG. 2a through FIG. 2c illustrates, in accordance with the first step of the method of the present disclosure, the front elevation of a cut and polished gemstone crystal crown 102. The crystal 102a may be cut and polished from a natural or a lab grown crystal to obtain a flat base 110.

FIG. 2b illustrates showing one embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal 102a, having a geodesic configuration.

FIG. 2b illustrates showing another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal 102b having a hemispherical configuration.

FIG. 2c illustrates yet another embodiment of a cut and polished gemstone crystal 102c having an ellipsoidal cap configuration.

The flat base 110 is not to be considered as a pavilion.

FIGS. 3a & 3b illustrates in accordance with a second step of the method of the present disclosure an isometric view of a collet 104 for mounting the flat base of the crystal crown 102. A pocket 114 is drilled in the metal collet as seen in FIGS. 3a & 3b. Alternatively, multiple pockets 114 can be drilled on the upper flat surface 116 of the collet 104 for embedding one or multiple brilliant small sized natural or lab grown gemstones such as diamonds or other variety of gemstones therein.

In an embodiment, the collet (104) is of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold alloy, silver alloy, copper alloy, platinum alloy, titanium, and steel.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate in accordance with the third step of the present disclosure isometric views of two embodiments of the third step, in which in FIG. 4a a single jewel 118 is embedded in the pocket 114 of the collet 104 and in FIG. 4b multiple jewels 118 are embedded in multiple pockets 114 in the collet 104. The jewels 118 can be brilliant small sized stones compared to the size of the composite gemstone 100. The jewels 118 are embedded and fixed within the pocket/pockets 114 with the help of optical glue, tradition flush or pave setting. In the case of optical glue, the surfaces of the pocket/pockets 114 and the pavilion of the jewels 118 are coated with an optical glue and the coated jewels 118 are embedded in the pocket/pockets 114. After embedment, the assembly of the jewels 118 and the collet 104 are cured by ultra violet radiation having wavelength 365 to 400 nm. The glue is typically a single part fast curing glue with excellent optical clarity and resistance to yellowing. In one embodiment, the glue is metha-acrylate glue. As can be seen in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the stone/jewels 118 are embedded such that the top surface of the crown of the stone/jewels 118 are below the surface 116 of the collet 104.

In other embodiments, the crown of the stone/jewels 118 may be flush or paved. In yet another embodiment when multiple jewels 118 are used, some jewels 118 may be embedded, some jewels 118 may be flush, and some jewels 118 may be in paved setting, while others may be glued.

FIGS. 5a-5b illustrate in accordance with the fourth step the present disclosure, isometric views of two embodiments in which in FIGS. 5a and 5b the cut and polished gemstone crystal 102 of FIGS. 2a-2c are being mounted on the metal bases 104 containing the embedded stone/jewels 118 in accordance with the third step of the method shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b respectively.

FIG. 6 illustrates the final step of the method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the mounting of the crystal on the metal base is complete after the gluing process, where the upper visible crystal 102 is placed carefully on the flat surface 116 of the collet 104 in which the brilliant cut stone/jewels 118 are fixed inside and the flat base 110 of the crystal crown 102 and the flat surface 116 of the collet 104 are glued together with optical glue to form a single clean girdle 106 as seen as in FIG. 6 of the composite gemstone now formed.

In an embodiment, the glue is a UV curable adhesive, which allows the crown crystal 102 to be adhered to the collet 104 using a UV lamp to cure the adhesive bonding therebetween.

The brilliance, fire and scintillation increases significantly by placing stone/jewels 118 on the collet 104. The composite gemstone 100 maybe of any size based on the design of the product/demand from the customers. Because of the brilliant cut stone/jewels 118 embedded in the metal base, there is increased light reflection on the surface of the primary composite gemstone 100. The stone/jewels 118 may be round or other shaped and may have a brilliant cut or other cuts.

Any transparent or translucent crystal, lab grown or natural diamond or color stones which can be precious or semi-precious irrespective of the size, shape and cut can be used for making the crystal crown 102 of the composite gemstone 100. The brilliance, fire and scintillation of the embedded jewels 118 is combined with the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the primary stone that is the crystal crown 102, enhancing the appearance and the effective brilliance, fire and scintillation of the composite gemstone 100.

If the jewels 118 are not placed on the metal base, the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the primary stone is comparatively lower and at times even blackish or yellowish reflection in appearance depending on the metal used for the metal base. The increased brilliance, fire and scintillation gives a magical appearance to the composite stone. The composite gemstone may be mounted in a piece of jewelry such as for example in pendants, earrings, fingerings and bracelets.

FIG. 8 illustrates a graph depicting the dispersion of incident light rays 120 refracted through the gemstone, of the present disclosure, as refracted light rays 122 for obtaining the desired brilliance, fire and scintillation. For representation purposes, only the crown 102 and the jewel 118 are considered for showing the passage of the light ray.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Technical Advancements

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a composite gemstone that:

• • provides enhanced brilliance, fire and scintillation and
  • improves the value of jewelry in which the composite gemstone is mounted

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

1.-34. (canceled)

35. A gemstone (100) comprising: a metal collet (104) defined by a body having a substantially flat surface (116) and at least one pocket (114) defined in said flat surface (116);at least one jewel (118) secured in said at least one pocket (114);a dome-shaped crystal crown (102) defining an operatively substantially flat base (110), said base (110) being complementary to the flat surface (116) of the collet (104),wherein said dome shaped crystal crown (102) is securely mounted on said collet (104) to enhance the brilliance, fire and scintillation of said gemstone (100);a girdle (106) defining the junction between said collet (104) and the dome-shaped crystal crown (102).

36. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said collet (104) has a hemispherical configuration.

37. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said collet (104) is of a metal selected from the group consisting of gold alloy, silver alloy, copper alloy, platinum alloy, titanium, and steel.

38. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said flat surface (116) and the outer surface of said collet (104) is finely polished or wherein said flat surface (116) and the outer surface of the collet (104) is mirror finished.

39. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 38, wherein the outer surface of the collet (104) is surface treated.

40. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein multiple pockets (114) are configured on said flat surface (116) of said collet (104).

41. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 40, wherein said pockets (114) are drilled on said flat surface (116) of said collet (104).

42. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 40, wherein said pockets (114) are of the same size or wherein said pockets (114) are of varying sizes.

43. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said jewels (118) are cut from natural or lab grown crystal.

44. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 43, wherein said jewels (118) are of the same colour or wherein said jewels (118) are of different colours.

45. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 43, wherein said jewels (118) are selected from a group consisting of transparent stones, translucent stones or opaque stones.

46. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said jewels (118) are secured in said pockets (114) such that the table of each of said gemstone (100) s is flush with said flat surface (116).

47. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 46, wherein said jewels (118) are embedded in said pockets (114) or wherein said jewels (118) are flush set in said pockets (114) or wherein said jewels (118) are pave set in said pockets (114) or wherein said jewels (118) are glued to said pockets (114) or combinations thereof.

48. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 47, wherein said glue is an optical glue or wherein said glue is Metha-acrylate glue or wherein said glue is a UV curable adhesive.

49. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) is cut from natural or lab grown stone crystal or wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) is formed from a portion of the stone crystal having a spherical configuration.

50. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 49, wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) has a hemispherical configuration or wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) has a geodesic configuration or wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) has an ellipsoidal cap configuration or wherein said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) has multiple facets configured thereon.

51. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the flat base (110) of said dome-shaped crystal crown (102) is finely polished.

52. The gemstone (100) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the flat surface (116) of said collet (104) and the flat base (110) of said dome-shaped crystal crown (102), each have a circular configuration or wherein the flat surface (116) of said collet (104) and the flat base (110) of said dome-shaped crystal crown (102), each have an elliptical configuration.

53. A method for enhancing brilliance, fire and scintillation of gemstone (100) s, said method comprising the steps: a. forming a metal collet (104) having a substantially flat surface (116);b. configuring at least one pocket (114) in said flat surface (116) of said collet (104);c. securing at least one jewel (118) in said at least one pocket (114); andd. cutting and polishing a crystal crown (102) to obtain an operatively substantially flat base (110), said base (110) being complementary to the flat surface (116) of the collet (104).

54. The method as claimed in claim 53, wherein step (c) includes the step of securing said jewel (118) in said pocket (114) such that the table of said jewel (118) is flush with the flat surface (116) of said collet (104).