Patent ID: 6484537
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A44C

Abstract:
A jewelry piece having a gem stone and a replaceable gem stone setting, said gem stone setting comprising:a casing defining a cavity for receiving said gem stone, said casing open at opposite ends, with an open top end having a portion abutting an upper portion of said gem stone when said gem stone is received in said casing so as to display a crown thereof in said open top end of said casing; a bottom cover and a hinge connecting said bottom cover to an open bottom end of said casing to be movable to a closed position overlying said bottom end of said casing; a latch for securing said bottom cover in said closed position; and said bottom cover having a plurality of radially extending convergent and cantilevered spring blades, connected at one end to said bottom cover and having a free end, said plurality of said spring blades surrounding and engaging said gem stone when said gemstone is received in said casing to confine said stone and urge the same against said casing top end portion, each spring blade resiliently deflected by engagement with said gem stone when said bottom cover is moved to said closed position, whereby said gem stone is resiliently held in abutment against said casing top end portion by a spring force generated by said deflection of said spring blades, said gem stone being located laterally with respect to said bottom cover by said engagement with said surrounding spring blades.