Abstract:
A jewelry setting for gemstones, including cabochons, faceted stones, or other stones, pearls, wood cabochons, or other decorative objects, having a mounting ring and multiple rear-mounted retaining arms is disclosed. A method for assembling a jewelry setting is also disclosed. The decorative object may be inserted through the rear of the mounting ring. The mounting ring has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of the decorative object, thus preventing the decorative object from passing completely through the mounting ring. The retaining arms may be bent inward and tightened against the decorative object, thus securing the decorative object within the setting.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is generally directed to a jewelry setting for gemstones, including cabochons, faceted stones, or other stones, pearls, wood, or other decorative objects. Generally, a cabochon is a polished stone or similar material which may have a convex front surface and a flat or slightly domed rear surface. 
         [0002]    Many different ways to set a gemstone are known so that the stone is secured and may be worn as jewelry. For example, a bezel setting utilizes a rim made of precious metal or other material that completely encircles the girdle of the stone to hold the stone in place. A channel setting secures a row of stones through two parallel rims, each of which touches the girdle of each stone. 
         [0003]    Another common type of setting utilizes prongs of precious metal or other material to secure the stone. Prong settings usually have three to six prongs, each of which grips the crown of the stone and is visible when looking directly at the crown. A setting with fewer prongs will hold a stone less securely than one with more prongs. Settings with only two prongs exist, but are generally regarded as insecure and are usually used only for smaller stones. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects disclosed herein. This summary is not an exhaustive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later. 
         [0005]    In one illustrative embodiment, a jewelry setting for an object is disclosed that includes a mounting ring and a plurality of rear-mounted retaining arms. The rear-mounted retaining arms are adapted to bend inward until abutting a rear surface of the object, thereby securing the object within the mounting ring. 
         [0006]    In another illustrative embodiment, a method of assembling an article of jewelry is disclosed. The method includes providing a mounting ring having a plurality of rear-mounted retaining arms, inserting a first decorative object into the mounting ring through a rear side of the ring, and bending the rear-mounted retaining arms in toward a rear surface of the first decorative object, thereby securing the first decorative object within the mounting ring. 
         [0007]    In another illustrative embodiment, an article of jewelry is disclosed that includes a mounting ring, an object mounted in the mounting ring, and a plurality of rear-mounted retaining arms. The rear-mounted retaining arms are adapted to bend inward until abutting a rear surface of the object, thereby securing the object within the mounting ring. 
         [0008]    These and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed more fully in the description. The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the claimed invention, or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    This disclosure may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a jewelry setting without a gemstone inserted therein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a rear view of the jewelry setting without a gemstone inserted therein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a jewelry setting having gemstones inserted therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the jewelry setting having gemstones inserted therein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a rear view of the jewelry setting having gemstones inserted therein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a front view of another illustrative embodiment of a jewelry setting having gemstones inserted therein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts an illustrative embodiment of the jewelry setting on a necklace; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts an illustrative embodiment of the jewelry setting on a ring; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts an illustrative embodiment of the jewelry setting on a bracelet; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  depicts an illustrative embodiment of the jewelry setting on a cufflink; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  depicts an illustrative embodiment of the jewelry setting on a brooch; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a jewelry setting having gemstones inserted therein. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Illustrative embodiments of the present subject matter are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with aesthetic-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0024]    The present subject matter will now be described with reference to the attached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase. 
         [0025]    The attached figures depict an illustrative jewelry setting  10  according to the present disclosure. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the jewelry setting  10  has a mounting ring  15 . In the illustrated embodiments, the mounting ring  15  may comprise a wire-like frame into which an object  20 , such as a gemstone or the like, may be placed, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The object  20  may be a natural or synthetic gemstone, including a cabochon or faceted stone, or may be any other type of decorative insert such as a wood cabochon or mabe pearl. 
         [0026]    At least one inside diameter of the mounting ring  15  is smaller than at least one corresponding diameter of the object  20 . For the purposes of this disclosure, a diameter of an object  20  is understood to be the distance between two opposite, substantially parallel lines tangent to the boundary of the cross section of the object  20 , wherein the cross section of the object  20  is in a plane perpendicular to a frontal viewing angle of the object  20 . In other words, the cross section of the object  20  lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the mounting ring  15  when the object  20  is mounted therein. Likewise, a diameter of a mounting ring  15  is understood to be the distance between two opposite, substantially parallel lines tangent to the inner boundary of the mounting ring  15 , wherein the substantially parallel lines lie in the same plane as the mounting ring  15 . To illustrate, an oval-shaped object  20  may have a long diameter and a short diameter corresponding to respective long and short diameters of the mounting ring  15 . Thus, an object  20  placed in a mounting ring  15  having at least one inside diameter that is smaller than at least one corresponding diameter of the object  20  will seat in the mounting ring  15  but will not pass completely through it. 
         [0027]    The relationship between diameters of the object  20  at certain cross sections and the corresponding inner diameters of the mounting ring  15  may determine how far the object  20  may be inserted into the mounting ring  15 . For example, the object  20  depicted in  FIG. 4  has a diameter roughly equal to the corresponding inner diameter of the mounting ring  15  at a cross section at about half of the depth of the object  20 . Thus, about half of the object  20  protrudes from the front of the mounting ring  15  when seated therein. A jewelry designer may selectively combine a mounting ring  15  and object  20  to result in a jewelry setting  10  with practically any percentage of protrusion of the object  10 , as desired. For the purposes of this disclosure, the percentage of protrusion is understood to be the distance the object  20  protrudes past the front of the mounting ring  15 , calculated as a percentage of the overall depth of the object  20 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the mounting ring  15  has approximately the same shape as the object  20  mounted within it. For example,  FIG. 6  depicts three sizes and shapes of mounting rings  15 , each with a different size and shape (round, diamond, and oval). In some cases, the outer profile of the mounting ring  15  is approximately the same size as the outer profile of the object  20 , so that as one is viewing the jewelry setting  10  from the front, the profile of the mounting ring  15  does not substantially surpass the outer profile of the object  20 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
         [0029]    If the mounting ring  15  is made of wire, such wire may vary in diameter depending on the size of the object  20  or other aesthetic factors. For example, the mounting ring  15  may be made of 18 gauge jewelry wire; however, the gauge may be altered to suit the strength and weight requirements of particular jewelry settings  10 . For larger or heavier objects  20 , the wire used in the mounting ring  15  may be 16 gauge or thicker, if desired. Likewise, a jewelry designer may use thicker gauge wire if a heavy look is desired. For example, the mounting ring  15  may have a thickness between 10 gauge and 20 gauge. 
         [0030]    The jewelry setting  10  includes retaining arms  25 , which secure the object  20  from the rear of the jewelry setting  10 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the retaining arms  25  can each terminate with an arm termination  30  or  35 , or “T” bar. Such arm terminations  30  or  35  may consist of straight bars  30  or curved bars  35 , thus conforming to the shape of the object  20 . Alternatively, the retaining arms  25  may terminate abruptly, having no “T” bar, or they may terminate with other aesthetically-pleasing shapes or designs, such as a “Y” or circular shape. The arm termination  30  or  35  of the retaining arms  25  may provide increased stability to maintain the object  20  securely within the mounting ring  15 . The jewelry setting  10  may include only two retaining arms  25 , as shown in the attached figures, or may have a greater number of retaining arms  25  as desired for aesthetic reasons or to secure the object  20 . The mounting ring  15  and retaining arms  25  may be cast together, forming a single, integral jewelry setting  10 , or may be manufactured as separate elements that are later combined. The mounting ring  15 , retaining arms  25 , or arm terminations  30  or  35  may have settings mounted thereon for holding faceted or non-faceted stones. 
         [0031]    As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the retaining arms  25  may be an aesthetic design element of the jewelry setting  10 . Alternatively, the retaining arms  25  may be positioned between a split ring shank (not shown) to be hidden from side viewpoints. For jewelry settings  10  holding a translucent or transparent object  20 , the retaining arms  25  may be visible through the object  20 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the retaining arms  25  are manufactured from jewelry wire. Such wire may have a cross section of any one of a variety of shapes including round, half round, square, and flat. The inside surfaces of the retaining arms  25  may have a seat or notch thereon (not shown) to receive the object  20  when the retaining arms  25  are bent down against the object  20 . 
         [0033]    To create jewelry using the jewelry setting  10  of the present disclosure, one may insert a cabochon, faceted gemstone, pearl, or other similar object  20  through the rear of a mounting ring  15  having a size and shape corresponding to the object  20 . One may orient the object  20  to match the shape of the mounting ring  15 . After seating the object  20  within the mounting ring  15 , one may then bend the retaining arms  25  inward until they contact the object  20 . The retaining arms  25 , once bent, will remain in place and will thereby secure the object  20  in the mounting ring  15 . Because an inner diameter of the mounting ring  15  is smaller than a corresponding diameter of the object  20  at a particular cross section, the object  20  will not pass through the mounting ring  15 . If the jewelry setting  10  comprises multiple mounting rings  15 , one may insert an object  20  into each mounting ring  15  as desired. 
         [0034]    The jewelry setting  10  of the present disclosure may provide one or more of the following advantages over prior art jewelry settings: the jewelry setting  10  may use less precious metal, making it lighter and less expensive to manufacture; the object  20  may be more secure in the jewelry setting  10  than in traditional jewelry settings due to the combination of the mounting ring  10  and retaining arms  25 ; the jewelry setting  10  may allow more of the object  20  to be exposed and thus may give a lighter look as if the object  20  is floating; because the jewelry setting  10  does not have a rear plate or other solid backing as is common in traditional settings, the jewelry setting  10  may allow more light to pass through a translucent or transparent object  20  than traditional jewelry settings; the jewelry setting  10  may provide an easy and inexpensive method for amateur or hobbyist jewelry makers to design, create, customize, and modify their own jewelry; or the jewelry setting  10  may be used to secure any shape or type of object  20 , including curved (for example, a cabochon) or faceted gemstones, or artificial decorative inserts. 
         [0035]    The jewelry setting  10  may be used in a wide variety of jewelry articles, such as, for example, earrings, necklaces and pendants, rings, bracelets, cufflinks, brooches, and the like, as shown in  FIGS. 6-11 . Any number of individual jewelry settings  10  may be connected to other jewelry settings  10  by use of suitable connectors, such as connectors  40  already known in the art, which include rigid soldered connectors  40  as depicted in  FIGS. 1-5  or linked chain connectors  40  as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Connectors  40  may comprise jump rings  50  attached to the mounting ring  15  or retaining arms  25  to connect to other jewelry settings  10  or any other jewelry components, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Jump rings  50  may be cast together with the mounting ring  15  and retaining arms  25  to form an integral jewelry setting  10 . Jewelry settings  10  used as earrings may be fixed to an earwire  45  as depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 . The earwire  45  may be made of 22 gauge wire or other suitable wire sizes, as desired.  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict unbent earwire  45 , and  FIGS. 3-5  show earwire  45  that has been shaped for use as an earring. 
         [0036]    The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. For example, process steps set forth above may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.