Abstract:
A jewelry setting and method for manufacturing same are provided. The jewelry setting includes a frame configured to receive a gemstone, the frame including a base and at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving the gemstone; and at least two prongs soldered to the at least one sidewall, wherein the at least two prongs extend above an upper peripheral edge of the sidewall for securing the gemstone in the frame. The method includes the steps providing the frame configured to receive the gemstone; providing at least two prongs, each of the at least two prongs includes a layer of solder disposed thereon; placing the at least two prongs in contact with the at least one sidewall of the frame; and heating the frame and the prongs to a predetermined temperature, wherein the solder will reflow and form a joint between the prongs and the sidewall.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to an application entitled “JEWELRY SETTING” filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 20, 2005 and assigned Ser. No. 60/728,729, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field  
         [0003]     The present disclosure relates to jewelry findings, and more particular, a jewelry setting which provides maximum exposure of a gemstone, while providing a sturdy and attractive mounting for the gemstone. The jewelry setting may be incorporated in a ring, an earring, a pendant, or as a component of a bracelet and the like.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Jewelry findings are well known in the art and have been the subject of many issued patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,117 which issued to Lutrario on May 20, 1958 is entitled “GEM SETTING WITH GEM BIASED ORNAMENTAL SADDLE MEMBER”, and discloses a significant and massive gold setting construction, thereby shielding a large portion of the gemstone. Similarly, the patent to Engel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,510,774 which issued on Jun. 6, 1950 provides a stone mounting for bracelets and other articles wherein a major portion of the sides of the gemstone are hidden. Other similar findings or settings which obstruct a portion of the gemstone are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,090 to Santiago which issued on Jul. 18, 1995 and is entitled “VARIABLE FINGER RING WITH BIASED SHANK AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,574 to Ricci et al. which issued on Sep. 1, 1998 and is entitled “V-END SETTINGS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”.  
         [0006]     Even applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,701 which issued on Sep. 24, 2002 and is entitled “MULTI-PART JEWELRY SETTING” provides an aesthetically pleasing setting that appears to be of significant and massive gold construction whereas, in fact, applicant&#39;s patented setting is hollow and relatively inexpensive, as compared to its appearance which is expensive-looking.  
         [0007]     Although applicant&#39;s patented jewelry setting, as well as the other prior art settings have been well received in the marketplace, it is desirable to provide a setting which is sturdy, yet of minimal structure, thereby affording full exposure of the gemstone, not only on the top portion thereof, but along its sides, thereby providing an even more aesthetically pleasing jewelry.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it is an object of the subject disclosure to provide a jewelry setting, which provides maximum exposure of a gemstone disposed in the setting, while at the same time providing a sturdy mounting for the gemstone.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the subject disclosure to provide a jewelry setting which may be used with gemstones that are capable of being subjected to soldering temperatures in the range of 1,400° F. during mounting of the gemstone to the setting, as well as providing a stone setting which may be readily employed with gemstones that cannot be subjected to such elevated temperatures.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     The above and other objects are achieved by a jewelry setting or finding in accordance with the present disclosure wherein a very thin frame corresponding to a shape of a gemstone is provided, with an outer diameter of the frame substantially corresponding to an outer perimeter of the stone, whereby the stone may be placed on an upper peripheral edge of the frame and centered thereon. Next, prongs of generally square-shaped, cross-section are soldered to the peripheral sidewalls of the frame so as to extend above the surface of the gemstone, after which the prongs are bent radially inwardly, thereby establishing a sturdy setting for the stone, while affording maximum exposure of the stone thereby resulting in an aesthetically pleasing stone setting.  
         [0011]     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a jewelry setting is provided. The jewelry setting includes a frame configured to receive a gemstone, the frame including a base and at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving the gemstone; and at least two prongs soldered to the at least one sidewall, wherein the at least two prongs extend above an upper peripheral edge of the at least one sidewall for securing the gemstone in the frame. Each of the at least two prongs has a generally square cross-section.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the jewelry setting further includes a retainer member configured to center the received gemstone in the frame, the retainer member being disposed on the upper peripheral edge of the at least one sidewall. The retainer member may be flat or configured with an inwardly down-sloping angle.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect, each of the at least two prongs includes a planar generally rectangular portion for mating with the at least one sidewall and two prong members extending from the rectangular portion for gripping the received gemstone.  
         [0014]     In another aspect, the frame includes at least one cutout for exposing a lower portion of the gemstone received by the frame.  
         [0015]     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a jewelry setting is provided. The method includes the steps providing a frame configured to receive a gemstone, the frame including a base and at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving the gemstone; providing at least two prongs, each of the at least two prongs includes a layer of solder disposed thereon; placing the at least two prongs in contact with the at least one sidewall of the frame; and heating the frame and the at least two prongs to a predetermined temperature, wherein the solder will reflow and form a joint between each of the at least two prongs and the at least one sidewall. The method further includes the steps disposing a gemstone in the frame; and bending an upper portion of each of the at least two prongs inwardly relative to the frame to secure the gemstone in the frame.  
         [0016]     In another aspect, the method further includes the steps, before the heating step, providing a retainer member for centering the received gemstone, the retainer member including a layer of solder disposed thereon and disposing the retainer member on an upper peripheral edge of the at least one sidewall.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes, wherein the at least two prongs include an upper bent portion, the placing step further includes the step disposing a gemstone in the frame before the heating step, the upper bent portions contacting an upper portion of the gemstone and a lower portion of the at least two prongs contacting the at least one sidewall of the frame.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a finding according to the present disclosure, along with a round stone which is capable of being heated to a soldering temperature.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the assembly of the finding and stone as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembly of the subject finding and stone of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a finding employing a retainer member according to the present disclosure.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the assembly of the finding and stone as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the assembly of the subject finding and stone of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a finding according to the present disclosure which is designed to hold a round stone that is not capable of being heated to soldering temperatures.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is side elevational view of the finding of  FIG. 7  preparatory to receiving a stone.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the finding of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the finding of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the assembly of the subject finding and stone of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a finding according to the present disclosure, along with a square stone which is capable of being heated to a soldering temperature.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14 a  top perspective view of the assembly of the subject finding and stone of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the assembly of the finding and stone as illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the assembly of the subject finding and stone of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a finding according to the present disclosure which is capable of accommodating a square stone.  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is top perspective view of the assembly of the finding of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the finding of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present disclosure, which finding is designed to hold a round stone which is capable of being heated to soldering temperatures, and where the finding includes a post.  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is perspective view of the assembly of the finding and stone of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure, which finding is designed to hold a round stone which is not capable of being heated to soldering temperatures, and where the finding includes a post.  
         [0041]      FIG. 23  is perspective view of the finding of  FIG. 22  preparatory to receiving a round stone.  
         [0042]      FIG. 24  is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present disclosure, which finding is designed to hold a round stone which is not capable of being heated to soldering temperatures, and where the finding includes a post.  
         [0043]      FIG. 25  is perspective view of the assembly of the finding and stone of  FIG. 24 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 26  is a side elevational view of an assembly of the finding and cabochon stone employing a flat retainer member. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.  
         [0046]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , the subject setting or finding  1  comprises a cylindrical frame  12  for receiving a gemstone and a plurality of prongs  14  which include bent portions  15  for gripping of the stone  10 . The cylindrical frame  12  includes an annular sidewall  16  and an open bottom or base, designated by the numeral  18 , defining a cavity for receiving the gemstone. The aperture defining by the base  18  can be of any size and may vary in accordance with the stone selected for a particular setting. An upper peripheral edge  20  of the cylindrical frame substantially corresponds to an outer diameter of the round stone  10 . The prongs  14  are soldered to the sidewall  16  of the cylindrical frame  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , with the prongs  14  being equally spaced about the perimeter of the cylindrical frame  12 .  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stone  10  rests on the upper peripheral edge  20  of the cylindrical frame  12  of the setting, with the bent portions  15  of the prongs  14  engaging and tightly holding the stone  10  to the finding.  
         [0048]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the peripheral portion  11  of the stone  10 , e.g. a girdle, is fully exposed, as is the top portion of the stone  10 , other than for the small protrusions of the bent portions  15  of the prongs  14 . Accordingly, maximum exposure of the stone  10  is effected, thereby resulting in an aesthetically pleasing assembly of the stone and the subject finding.  
         [0049]     The frame  12  may be formed from any precious or non-precious metal by any known metal forming process, e.g., a stamping process, to correspond to the shape of the gemstone to be set, e.g., round, oval, square, triangle, emerald, pear, marquise, heart, etc.  
         [0050]     Each prong  14  has a generally square cross-sectional configuration, of approximate one half millimeter on each side, and is preferably made of the same metal or material as is the cylindrical frame  12 , e.g. gold, silver, platinum, etc.. The prongs are manufactured as a generally square wire which is cut into desired lengths. The wire includes a layer of solder around and along an entire length of the wire. Preferably, the color of solder will approximately match the color of the setting, i.e., the frame and prongs.  
         [0051]     It is to be appreciated that the wire may be of other shapes to effect different looks of the setting. For example, the wire may be circular and cut to the desired length. The cut lengths of the wire will vary and will depend on the size and/or the shape of the stone to be set.  
         [0052]     In the assembly of the stone and finding as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the stone  10  is placed on the cylindrical frame  12  so as to engage the upper peripheral edge  20 , and because of this configuration, the stone  10  is essentially self-centered. Next, the cylindrical frame  12 , the stone  10 , and the prongs  14  are arranged as shown in  FIG. 2  and placed in a suitable jig for holding the assembly. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a lower portion  13  of the prong will be placed in contact with the sidewall  16  and the bent portion  15  of the prong will be placed in contact with an upper portion of the stone above the peripheral portion  11  of the stone  10 . The finding assembly will then be subjected to a sufficient predetermined temperature, e.g., on the order of 1,400° F., so as to solder the prongs  14  to the frame  12 , e.g., to allow the solder to reflow and form a joint between the prongs and the frame, and to provide a sturdy grip by the bent portions  15  of the prongs  14  against the upper portion of the stone, thereby resulting in the assembled stone and finding as shown in  FIG. 3 . By this arrangement, the objective of obtaining maximum exposure of the stone is achieved, at a cost less than the cost of existing findings.  
         [0053]     It is to be appreciated that in assembling the setting of  FIGS. 1-3 , the gemstone  10  employed must be able to withstand high temperatures without becoming damaged. The lowest tolerable temperature of the gemstone must be at least a predetermined amount of degrees higher than the melting point, or reflow temperature, of the solder being employed. Furthermore, the melting point of the solder must be lower than a melting point of the metal of frame  12 .  
         [0054]     In a further embodiment, a retainer member is employed to center the gemstone received in the frame. Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a retainer member is generally designated by reference numeral  22 . In this embodiment, the retainer member  22  is annular shaped and has an outer circumference  24  corresponding to the upper peripheral edge  20  of the frame  12 . The retainer member  22  is formed with a layer of solder for bonding the retainer member  22  to the frame. The setting shown in  FIGS. 4-6  will be assembled as described above with the further step of disposing the retainer member  22  on the frame  12  before disposing the stone on the frame. By employing the retainer member  22 , a gemstone having a girdle circumference  11  less than the circumference of the frame may be used in the setting  1  of the present disclosure.  
         [0055]     It is to be appreciated that other shapes and configurations of the retainer member may be employed depending on the size and/or shape of the stone to be set, i.e., a shape of the retainer member will substantially correspond to the shape of the stone, e.g., square, oval, etc.. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the retainer member is configured with an inwardly down-sloping angle best suited for faceted stones. Another exemplary retainer member will include a flat annular ring  130  which will be disposed on the upper peripheral edge  20  of the frame  12  as shown in  FIG. 26 . In this embodiment, the stone  132  will rest on the retainer member  130  whereby virtually no part of the stone  132  will be disposed in the frame  12  to effect full exposure of the stone. Such a retainer member might be employed with a cabochon stone. The prongs  134  will securely hold the stone in place as described in the various embodiments.  
         [0056]     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the setting  30  is designed to be used with a stone that is not capable of being subjected to elevated temperatures for soldering the prongs  34  to the frame  32 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the finding  30  includes a retainer member  36  which is soldered to the upper peripheral edge  38  of the frame  32 , at the same time that the prongs  34  are soldered to the frame  32 . The resulting finding  30  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10 . In this embodiment, the prongs  34  are straight and are not formed with bent portions as in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0057]     The straight leg prongs  34  are soldered to the frame  32  without the bent portions so a gemstone may be set in the frame after the soldering has taken place. Since the prongs  34  have solder on all sides, the prongs may be placed in the jig with any side of the prong coming into contact with the frame  32 , allowing quick and easy placement of the components into the jig without having to determine which side of the prong has solder disposed on it. After the retainer ring  36  and the prongs  34  are soldered to the frame  32  as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , a stone is placed on the retainer ring  36 , and is self-centered, after which the prongs  34  are bent inwardly to firmly grip the stone. The prongs may be bent to grip the stone by a modified drill press such as the DP-30 Drill Press commercially available from The Foredom Electric Company of Bethel, Conn. The resulting setting with gemstone in place is similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , another embodiment of the jewelry setting of present disclosure is illustrated. Here, the setting  40  includes a cylindrical frame  42  including a sidewall  44  and a bottom or base  46  with an aperture, a retainer member  48  and two prongs  50 . Each prong  50  includes a generally rectangular portion  52  for mating with the sidewall  44  and two prong members  54  for securely gripping a gemstone received in the frame  42 . The rectangular portion  52  will be curved to substantially correspond to the curvature of sidewall  44  so when mated the rectangular portion  52  is in full contact with sidewall  44  which in turn will form a stronger joint during the soldering step. In  FIG. 11 , the prong members  54  include a bent portion  56  and will be utilized with gemstones that can withstand the high temperatures of the soldering process. It is to be appreciated the prongs  50  can be manufactured with straight prong members  54  wherein the prongs  50  will be soldered to the frame  42  without the gemstone in place and, after the gemstone is received in the setting, the prong members  54  will be bent inward to secure the gemstone. In either case, the resulting setting with gemstone in place is illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0059]     Turning to  FIG. 13 , a further embodiment of the subject setting  60  is designed to accommodate square stones, and includes a square-shaped frame  62  and a plurality of prongs  64 . Each of the plurality of prongs  64  includes a bent portion  66 . In assembling the setting  60 , a square stone is placed on the upper peripheral rim  68  of the frame  62  so as to be self-centered, after which the frame  62  and the prongs  64  are placed in a suitable jig. The assembly is subjected to a high temperature for soldering the prongs  64  to the frame  62 . The assembly of the prongs  64  to the frame  62  is illustrated in  FIGS. 14-16 .  
         [0060]     In a further related embodiment, the prongs  70  are straight as illustrated in  FIGS. 17-19 . In this embodiment, a retainer member  72  is employed. Although shown as having an inwardly down-sloping angle, the retainer member  72  may be flat for a stone with a flat bottom so no portion of the gemstone is inside the frame and is therefore fully exposed. In assembling the setting  60 , the frame  62 , prongs  70  and retainer member  72  are placed in a suitable jig, after which the assembly is subjected to a high temperature for soldering the prongs  70  and retainer member  72  to the frame  62 . Thereafter, a square stone is placed on the upper peripheral rim  68  of the frame  62  where the retainer member  72  sits so as to be self-centered and the prongs  70  are bent inwardly to grip the stone by a suitable drill press as described above.  
         [0061]     Turning to  FIG. 20 , a further embodiment of the subject setting  80  is designed to be employed as an earring. The setting  80  includes a generally cylindrically shaped frame  82 , a plurality of prongs  88  and a retainer member  90 . The frame  82  includes a sidewall  84  and a spherical shaped bottom  86 . Each of the plurality of prongs  88  includes a bent portion  92 . The setting further includes a post  94  which will be soldered to an underside of the bottom  86  of the frame  82 . In assembling the setting  80 , the frame  82  and retainer member  90  are placed in a suitable jig, after which a stone  96  is placed on the upper peripheral rim of the retainer member  90  so as to be self-centered. The prongs  88  are then placed in the jig, after which the assembly is subjected to a high temperature for soldering the prongs  88  and retainer member  90  to the frame  82 . Next, the post  94  is soldered to the frame  82 . The assembly of the prongs  88  to the frame  82  with stone in place is illustrated in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0062]      FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate another embodiment of the setting or finding of the present disclosure, which embodiment is designated by the numeral  100 .  
         [0063]     Setting  100  is also designed to accommodate stones which are not capable of being subjected to elevated soldering temperatures, with the setting  100  including a frame  102 , retaining member or ring  104  and straight leg prongs  106 , as well as a post  108 . As described above, the retainer member  104  and prongs  106  will be provided with a layer of solder colored to match the color of the frame  102 . The frame  102 , retainer member  104 , prongs  106  and post  108  will be assembled in a suitable jig and subjected to an elevated temperature to allow the solder to reflow and join the components together. The assembled setting  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 23 .  
         [0064]     After the setting  100  is assembled, a stone is placed on the frame  102 , and then the prongs  106  are bent radially inwardly to grip the stone as described above.  
         [0065]     Turning to  FIG. 24 , a further embodiment of the subject setting  110  is illustrated. The setting  110  includes a generally cylindrically shaped frame  112 , a plurality of prongs  114  and a retainer member  116 . The frame  112  includes at least one sidewall  118  and a spherical shaped bottom  120 . The sidewall  118  includes at least two cutouts  122  for exposing a bottom portion of the gemstone. In the illustrated non-limited embodiment, the frame  112  has three cutouts resulting in three sidewalls  118 . It is to be appreciated the number of cutouts and sidewalls may vary based on the size and shape of the gemstone.  
         [0066]     The setting further includes a post  126  which will be soldered to an underside of the bottom  120  of the frame  112 .  
         [0067]     In assembling the setting  110 , the frame  112 , prongs  114 , retainer member  116  and post  126  are placed in a suitable jig, after which the assembly is subjected to a high temperature for soldering the prongs  114 , retainer member  116  and post  126  to the frame  112 . After a gemstone is disposed on the retainer member  116 , the prongs  114  will be bent by a suitable drill press at a portion of the prong above the girdle of the gemstone to secure the gemstone in place. The assembly of the prongs  114  to the frame  112  is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . In other embodiments, the assembly could be made without the post  126  which could be soldered to the frame at a later time by applying solder paste to one end of the post.  
         [0068]     It is to be appreciated that the setting  110  may employ prongs with an upper bent portion as described in the various embodiments above. In assembling the setting  110  with bent prongs, the frame  112 , retainer member  116  and post  126  are placed in a suitable jig, after which a stone  128  is placed on the upper peripheral rim of the retainer member  116  so as to be self-centered. The prongs with upper bent portions (not shown) are then placed in the jig, after which the assembly is subjected to a high temperature for soldering the prongs, retainer member  116  and post  126  to the frame  112 . The assembly of the prongs to the frame  112  with stone in place is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . As can be seen, whether straight prongs or bent prongs are used, the resulting setting after gemstone placement is the same.  
         [0069]     In all of the embodiments of the subject disclosure, the resulting finding ensures maximum exposure of the stone including maximum exposure of the peripheral side edges of the stone, as well as providing an inexpensive, but sturdy finding for griping of the stone.  
         [0070]     While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.