Patent Application
20050172667
The present invention relates to a multi-gemstone arrangement for attachment to a prong-type setting. More particularly, this multi-gemstone arrangement includes four (4) gemstone sections (each triangular-shaped) for forming a rectangular-shaped gemstone arrangement. This combined rectangular shape gemstone arrangement gives a larger appearance than that of a single rectangular gemstone of a similar carat weight.
Invisible gemstone settings are well known in the art and refer to a setting for gemstones in which the setting lies beneath the visible surface of the gemstones. Typically, to invisibly set a large number of gemstones, the approach of the prior art has been to notch the gemstones and to mount them in a setting having two or more parallel walls, with metallic projections, for example, prongs or the like, protruding from these walls for engaging the notches. Generally, these walls define channels in which the gemstones are set abutting one another in accordance with the invisible mounting method.
Invisible gemstone settings for jewelry products suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, casting of jewelry items with a gemstone region including a recess and walls and preparing T-shaped cross bars is relatively difficult and is therefore a costly process. Second, the assembly of the jewelry item requires considerable time of a skilled worker which adds greatly to the overall cost of the jewelry item. And third, the finished jewelry item cannot be readily downsized without disturbing the invisible gemstone setting.
Therefore, there remains a need for a novel invisible and multiple gemstone setting for attachment to rings which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional multi-stone, invisible settings for jewelry items. The multi-stone setting member should include a rectangular-shaped metal setting for holding four triangular-shaped cut gemstones so that the combined gemstone aggregate gives a larger appearance than that of a single gemstone of a similar carat weight. Additionally, the multi-stone setting should give the appearance that the rectangular shaped setting (metal) is essentially invisible to the eye of the wearer.
Invisible gemstone settings, multi-gemstone settings, jewelry settings, and multi-gemstone arrangements and the like having various designs, structures, configurations and functions have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,539 to OUZOUNIAN discloses an invisible, multiple precious stone setting for mounting two or more rows of rectangular-shaped precious stones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,017 to VIVAT discloses jewelry items with invisible gemstone settings, wherein the gemstone setting includes at least two walls so as to provide at least one groove. The groove slidably receives one or more rectangular-shaped precious stones therein. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,265 to RAMOT discloses an invisible gemstone setting, wherein the gemstone setting assembly includes one or more gemstones and a setting having a base formed with a plurality of ribs defining one or more sockets of polygonal configuration for receiving the gemstones. This prior art patent does not disclose the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 334,154 to BENDERLY discloses a round, pie-shaped gemstone arrangement. This pie-shaped/round gemstone arrangement includes six (6) gemstone sections for forming this rounded gemstone. This prior art design patent does not disclose or teach the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 372,883 to ADLER discloses a round, pie-shaped gemstone arrangement. This pie-shaped/rounded gemstone arrangement includes four (4) gemstone sections for forming this rounded gemstone, but does not use a princess-cut diamond. This prior art design patent does not disclose or teach the structure and configuration of the multi-gemstone setting of the present invention.
None of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose or teach the multi-gemstone setting member of the present invention for receiving therein four triangular-shaped gemstones which combine to give the appearance of a single large rectangular shaped gemstone with the setting having an invisible profile.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-gemstone setting member for holding therein four triangular-shaped gemstones so that the combined aggregate of the four gemstones gives a larger appearance than that of a single rectangular gemstone of a similar carat weight (i.e., a 1.2 carat presentation of the combined four gemstones appears as large as a 2.0 carat rectangular gemstone, as the present invention would have a larger table).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four triangular-gemstones therein that is less expensive than a single rectangular-shaped gemstone of a similar carat weight (i.e., the 1.2 carat presentation of the combined four gemstones is less expensive than an actual 1.2 carat single rectangular gemstone of the same carat weight).
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four triangular-shaped gemstones therein which gives the appearance that the setting is substantially invisible at distances greater than 12 inches from the jewelry product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member that can be varied in size depending upon the total combined carat weight of the four gemstones within the setting member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member that can be made from precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium for setting precious gemstones including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four gemstones therein for use in personal adornment in the form of ornamental jewelry such as rings.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-gemstone setting member having four gemstones thereon that can be produced in an economical manner and is readily affordable by the jewelry consumer.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-stone gemstone or diamond arrangement and a prong setting for receiving four substantially triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds in the setting for forming a substantially rectangular-shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement. The prong setting includes a prong assembly having four prong members. The prong setting also includes an upper rail assembly having four side rail members and four corner rail members; the four corner rail members being attached to the four prong members, respectively. The prong setting further includes an upper frame assembly having first and second crossbar members, the first crossbar member having first outer ends and the second crossbar member having second outer ends. The first and second crossbar members form an X-shaped configuration and each is connected at its respective first and second outer ends thereof to the corner rail members for forming four seating areas. Each of the four seating areas is for receiving therein one of four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds within each of the four seating areas. The four triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds each have three side walls and each have first and second retaining corners and a third apex corner, respectively; each of the first and second retaining corners form a corner retaining angle with at least two of the side walls. Each of the four prong members have a retaining insert slot therein for receiving and engaging at least a portion of the first and second retaining corners of two adjacent gemstones or diamonds to keep the four gemstones or diamonds seated within each of the four seating areas of the prong setting.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention win become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; wherein:
The multi-stone rectangular shaped gemstone and diamond arrangement 10 and prong setting 30 and their component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by
Each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 include three beveled side walls 22a, 22b and 22c; 24a, 24b and 24c; 26a, 26b and 26c; and 28a, 28b and 28c, respectively, as shown in
Additionally, each of the triangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28 include an upper beveled facet 22g, 24g, 26g, 28g, a middle beveled facet 22h, 24h, 26h and 28h and a lower girdle facet 22i, 24i, 26i and 28i, as shown in
Gemstone or diamonds 22 and 26 are identically shaped, each having an acute arc angle alpha (α) of less than 90° at the third inner corners 22f and 26f, respectively. Gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28 are identically shaped, each having an obtuse arc angle beta (β) of greater than 90° at the third inner corners 24f and 28f, respectively. Acute arc angle alpha (α) is in the range of 60° to 75° with a preferred acute arc angle alpha (α) of 70°, and obtuse arc angle beta (β) is in the range of 105° to 115° with a preferred obtuse arc angle beta (β) of 110°. Each of the gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 are made from a rough gemstone or diamond (not shown) having a substantially flat and long shape or having a substantially flat triangular shape. The gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28 are then cut (by laser cutting) to the specified triangular shapes as previously designated, each having the specified acute arc angle alpha (α) for gemstones or diamonds 22 and 26 and having the specified obtuse arc angle beta (β) for gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28, respectively.
Each of the outer or exterior front side walls 22b, 24b, 26b and 28b includes a corner retaining angle for the first and second retaining corners 22d, 22e, 24d, 24e, 26d, 26e, 28d and 28e, respectively, such that gemstones or diamonds 22 and 26 include corner retaining angles gamma (γ) relative to the outer front side wall 22b and 26b, respectively, and that gemstones or diamonds 24 and 28 include corner retaining angles delta (δ) relative to the outer front side walls 24b and 28b, respectively, as shown in
The rectangular shaped prong setting 30, as shown in
The first crossbar member 42 includes outer ends 42a and 42b, and the second crossbar member 44 includes outer ends 44a and 44b. Each of the first and second crossbar members 42 and 44 at their respective outer ends 42a and 42b, and 44a and 44b are connected to opposing upper corner rail members 53 and 57, and 55 and 59, respectively, as depicted in
Each of the upper side rail members 52,54,56 and 58 include outer ends 52a and 52b, 54a and 54b, 56a, and 56b, and 58a and 58b, respectively, as shown in
Each of the prong members 62,64,66 and 68 of prong assembly 60 includes an upper prong end 62a, 64a, 66a and 68a and a lower prong end 62b, 64b, 66b and 68b, respectively. Each of the upper prong ends 62a, 64a, 66a and 68a of prong members 62, 64, 66 and 68 include first, second, third and fourth retaining insert slot members 72, 74, 76 and 78 for holding portions of the outer corner sections of gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, thereon, as depicted in
Each of the lower frame side rail members 82, 84, 86 and 88 include outer ends 82a and 82b, 84a and 84b, 86a and 86b, and 88a and 88b, respectively, as shown in
The seating areas 92, 94, 96 and 98 are used to retain, nest and hold in place gemstones or diamonds 22,24,26 and 28, respectively, within the prong setting 30, as shown in
The multi-stone prong setting 30 can be made of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or other precious metals. The multi-stone prong setting 30 can also be made into different size settings depending upon the size (carat weight) of the triangular-shaped and rectangular-shaped gemstones or diamonds 22 to 28 being mounted therein. The total carat weight for the gemstones or diamonds 22 to 28 typically are in the range of 0.36 carats to 4.0 carats per multi-gemstone prong setting 30. Additionally, other types of gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds or other precious gems can be used for the multi-stone prong setting 30 of the present invention. Prong setting 30 can be used to form a piece of jewelry in the form of a ring, a pin, a broach, a pendant, a clasp, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet or earrings.
The operation and method for mounting the multi-stone rectangularly shaped gemstone or diamond arrangement 10 within the prong setting 30 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
Next, the jeweler slightly bends each of the retaining insert slot members 72, 74, 76 and 78 to frictionally engage the corresponding outer corners, as previously described, of gemstones or diamonds 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, as shown in
A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
