Abstract:
The present invention includes interchangeable jewelry pieces and an interchangeable jewelry product line comprising at least post style earrings, dangling earrings and pendants for necklaces. All of the jewelry items in the line have a base portion with a magnetic portion designed and dimensioned to receive and magnetically secure an interchangeable decorative cap portion. The decorative caps have a simple functional design making them relatively inexpensive to mass produce. The decorative cap portion includes a receiver portion, a substantially planar decorative material dimensioned for receipt in the receiver portion, a cover portion for protecting the decorative material, and downwardly projecting peripheral rim dimensioned to encompass the peripheral edge of a magnetic portion of the base of each of the pieces of jewelry in the product line.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to jewelry items and jewelry sets which include improved interchangeable decorative elements as well as methods of manufacture and use of same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Prior art attempts to design interchangeable jewelry systems have typically focused on relatively expensive fine jewelry market segment, rather than more affordable costume jewelry market. One example of such prior art systems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,764 which shows an earring body having a flat magnet permanently attached to it, surrounded by a collar, the collar having an opening on its periphery. The removable button, or other ornamentation fits into the cap created by collar, and has, on its inside a flat armature which rests on the flat magnet mounted on the body of the earring when the unit is assembled, as shown in FIG. 3 of the &#39;764 patent. The flat armature of the earring body is also made of a magnetizable material so that the earring design includes two magnets of opposite polarity. The ornamentation is disclosed as being a semi-precious or precious stone as is appropriate for a fine jewelry piece. The ornamental portion is held so tightly by the opposite polarity magnets and collar that an aperture is provided through the collar for the purposes of allowing entry of a prying element to permit separation of the ornamentation portion from the body of the body of the earring. The applicant believes that the relatively complex design of the heavy weight clip-on style interchangeable jewelry systems of the &#39;764 patent is too costly to be competitive in the more cost conscious costume jewelry market to which the present invention is primarily directed. 
         [0003]    Another prior art approach to interchangeable jewelry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,871, which shows jewelry pieces with replaceable ornamental elements having a decorative exterior surface and a frame. The &#39;871 patent further discloses that the replaceable ornamental element are readily removable yet securely fixed when engaged to allow the ready substitution of another element having an exterior surface of different decorative character. The &#39;871 patent asserts that the ornamental elements can be incorporated into “a cuff link, an earring, a stud for a tuxedo shirt, a ring or a pendant to the wearer&#39;s apparel and/or accessories.” The &#39;871 patent further discloses the use of a first magnet fixed to the bottom of said decorative element and least one other magnet being fixed to and arranged within the recessed portion of the frame for securing said decorative element therewithin. The connection between the two portions is so secure that magnetically attached portions of the designs include an aperture extending through the bottom of the recessed portion of the frame for providing access for a stylus for selectively dislodging the decorative element from the frame. In the applicant&#39;s view, the jewelry designs of the &#39;871 patent are also too complex and costly for use in the mass market costume jewelry field. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an interchangeable jewelry system and jewelry pieces having cost efficient designs that can be manufactured for sale as mass market costume jewelry. 
         [0005]    Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive interchangeable decorative jewelry elements that can be utilized across different jewelry pieces of a line to provide the opportunity for the jewelry wearer to color coordinate, complement or contrast with clothing, the wearer&#39;s physical attributes such as eye color, or other fashion accessories in a cost effective manner. 
         [0006]    Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive interchangeable jewelry line having decorative elements designed to be mass producible at sufficiently low cost that they are virtually disposable in order to satisfy the youth costume jewelry market. 
         [0007]    It is a still further object of the invention to provide inexpensive interchangeable decorative elements adapted to detachable mount to standardized jewelry base items so that the end user can purchase different sets of matched decorative elements of the same design in order to create a plurality of different matched sets of jewelry items that have matched design elements all created from the same sets of jewelry base items. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One embodiment of the present invention includes a jewelry product line comprising at least post style earrings, dangling earrings and pendants for necklaces. All of the jewelry items in the line have a base portion with a magnetic portion designed and dimensioned to receive and magnetically secure an interchangeable decorative cap portion. The decorative caps have a simple functional design making them relatively inexpensive to mass produce. The decorative cap portion includes a receiver portion, a substantially planar decorative material dimensioned for receipt in the receiver portion, a cover portion for protecting the decorative material, and downwardly projecting peripheral rim dimensioned to encompass the peripheral edge of a magnetic portion of the base of each of the pieces of jewelry in the product line. Preferably, the substantially planar decorative material is paper or fabric upon which an attractive design has been printed. In this way, an enormous variety of decorative designs for the decorative cap portion can be easily and cheaply manufactured. Further, the cover portion may be manufactured from a variety of materials that include varying degrees of opacity and/or gloss to provide the decorative element with a different surface finish. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the invention, a method of creating a matched set of jewelry pieces to match, contrast, and/or complement a garment, physical attributes of the wearer or fashion accessory is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a plurality of matched sets of interchangeable decorative caps; (b) providing a plurality of interchangeable jewelry bases (including at least a pair of earrings and a jewelry piece other than earrings) each having base portions dimensioned for receipt and releasable coupling with each of the sets of interchangeable decorative caps; (c) selecting a color or pattern from a garment, wearer&#39;s physical characteristics, or fashion accessory to match, contrast with or complement; (d) selecting from the plurality of matched sets of decorative caps the matched set that best match, contrast or complement to the selected color or pattern from the garment, wearer&#39;s physical characteristics or fashion accessory; (e) selecting from the plurality of interchangeable jewelry bases a plurality of interchangeable jewelry bases to be worn on a particular occasion; and (f) releasably coupling the decorative elements of the selected matched set of decorative caps to each of the selected plurality of interchangeable jewelry base portions to form a plurality of matched jewelry pieces. Preferably, each of the decorative caps in each of the matched sets are dimensioned to be interchangeable with each of the plurality of jewelry pieces including both earrings and non-earring jewelry pieces such as rings, pendants, necklaces and the like. 
         [0010]    In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an improved pierced post style, earring is provided. The improved post style earring of this embodiment of the invention includes a post portion, backing portion, magnetic portion and an interchangeable cap portion with a design element. The post portion is dimensioned for insertion through the pierced portion of a pierced ear with the backing designed to engage the back surface of the earlobe. The magnetic portion is either permanently joined or integral with the base portion of the earring. The magnetic portion includes a peripheral edge that is dimensioned to be encompassed by an outer rim extending from the back surface of the periphery of the cap portion. At least a portion of the cap portion is formed from a magnetizable material such that the back surface of the cap portion is detachably coupled by force of magnetic attraction to the front surface of the magnetic portion of the base. The outer rim extending from the periphery of the cap portion provides additional security to the detachable coupling between the cap and base portion. Preferably, the outer rim is slightly larger in dimension than the peripheral edge of the magnetic portion so that a gap is formed therebetween which facilitates deliberate removal of the cap from the base portion in order to allow detachable coupling of a new cap with a different design element to the pierced post earring of the invention. 
         [0011]    In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, an improved dangling pierced earring is provided, which includes a clasp portion affixed to a loop portion adapted to pass through a pierced ear, a base portion attached to the loop portion, the base portion having a magnetic portion and an interchangeable cap portion with a design element. The magnetic portion includes a peripheral edge that is dimensioned to be encompassed by an outer rim extending from the back surface of the periphery of the cap portion. At least a portion of the cap portion is formed of a sufficient amount of a magnetizable material that the back surface of the cap portion is detachably coupled by the force of magnetic attraction to the front surface of the magnetic portion of the base. The outer rim extending from the periphery of the cap portion provides security against excessive lateral movement of the cap to prevent inadvertent decoupling between cap and base portion. Preferably, the outer rim is slightly larger in dimension than the peripheral edge of the magnetic portion so that a gap is formed therebetween, which gap facilitates purposeful decoupling of the cap from the base portion in order to detachably couple a new cap with a different design element to the dangling earring of the invention. 
         [0012]    In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, an improved pendant is provided, which includes a chain attachment, a base portion having a magnetic portion and an interchangeable cap portion with a design element. The magnetic portion includes a peripheral edge that is dimensioned to be encompassed by an outer rim extending from the back surface of the periphery of the cap portion. At least a portion of the cap portion is formed of a sufficient quantity of magnetizable material that the back surface of the cap portion is detachably coupled by the force of magnetic attraction to the front surface of the magnetic portion of the base. The base portion further including a peripheral ridge extending outwardly from the front surface of the pendant base portion. The outer rim extending from the back surface of the periphery of the cap portion is seated in a channel formed between the outer surface of the magnetic portion and the peripheral ridge on the base portion of the pendant. The seating of the outer rim of the cap in the channel secures the cap from excessive lateral movement to prevent unintentional decoupling of the cap from the base portion of the pendant. Preferably, the outer rim on the back surface of the cap is slightly larger in dimension than the peripheral edge of the magnetic portion and slightly smaller than the dimension of the peripheral ridge so that there is a gap between the outer rim and both the peripheral edge and peripheral ridge forming the channel. The gap facilitates purposeful decoupling of the cap from the base portion of the pendant in order to allow for the detachable coupling of a new cap with a different design element to the pendant of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side perspective view of a post-style earring in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the cap portion of the post-style earring of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the cap portion of  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the cap portion in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a back plan view of the cap portion shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a partial side view of the base portion of the post-style earring of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the base portion shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the base portion shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the backing portion shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of backing portion show in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a partially exploded plan view of a dangling earring in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the interchangeable jewelry of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a dangling earring in accordance with in accordance with  FIG. 11  with the hinge shown in the open position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a partially exploded plan view of an interchangeable pendant in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a carrier for multiple matched sets of the decorative cap portions in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    A first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , which depict an interchangeable post-style earring  20  of the invention. This style earring includes a base  40  including a post portion  21 , backing  22 , planar surface  23 , and magnetic portion  24 . The base portion  40  is releasably coupled to decorative cap  25 . The post  21  is for placement through a pierced ear with backing  22  designed to engage the back surface of the earlobe and planar surface  23  contacting the front surface of the earlobe. A magnetic portion  24  is permanently joined to the planar surface  23  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , but the base portion and magnetic portion could be integrally formed in one piece. The magnetic portion  24  has a peripheral edge  29  which is dimensioned for receipt within an outer rim  30  formed at the periphery of the back surface  31  of the decorative cap portion  25 . The back surface  31  of the decorative cap  25  is held against the front surface  32  of the magnetic portion  24  by the force of magnetic attraction since the receiver portion  26  of the decorative cap  25  is formed from a magnetizable material. When outer rim  30  engages peripheral edge  29 , it helps to seat the decorative cap portion on the magnetic portion  24 . Preferably, the inner diameter of the outer rim  30  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the magnetic portion  24  so that a small gap is formed between the peripheral edge  29  of the magnetic portion  24  and the outer rim  30  of the decorative cap  25 . The presence of this gap facilitates purposeful decoupling of the decorative cap  25  from the base  40  of the earring  20 . The preferred gap is about 1 mm with gaps of about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm being acceptable. Magnet  24  preferably has an external diameter of 10 mm, with external diameters between about 9 mm and 11 mm being acceptable. Cap  25  preferably has an internal diameter of about 11 mm with between about 10.5 mm and 12 mm being acceptable, and cap  25  further has a preferred external diameter of about 12 mm with 11.5 to 13 mm being acceptable. 
         [0028]    The receiver portion  26  of the cap portion (best seen in  FIG. 3 ) can be formed from a variety of magnetizable metal materials including alloys of iron, nickel, cobalt and/or manganese. The receiver portion may be molded from liquefied metal by a forging process or molded from a flowable metallic powder by metal injection molding. Alternately, the receiver  26  can be formed stamped from metal disk blanks of magnetizable metallic material. Preferably, the receivers of the invention can be manufactured with different surface finishes and colors. For this purpose, coloring agents may be added to the liquefied or flowable magnetizable material prior to molding. Alternately, the receivers of the invention may also be brushed or dipped in a surface finish agent after molding to provide an antique finish or a brushed metal look. 
         [0029]    As can be best seen in  FIGS. 2-5 , the decorative cap  25  includes a thin layer of decorative material  27  that is permanently affixed or adhered to the front surface  33  of the cap. The decorative material  27  may be any thin layer of material that is inherently decorative (such as a thin sliced layer of a semi-precious gemstone) or may be any material that can receive a decorative pattern thereon. In order to minimize the cost of production for the mass market or youth market, the preferred decorative material  27  is a paper piece upon which an attractive decorative pattern has been printed. If the decorative material  27  is paper, it is preferably enclosed by cover  28 , which is either transparent or translucent. The cover  28  may be made from a material that imparts a gloss, sheen, brushed metallic look or other desirable surface finish to the decorative material  27 . The cover  28  can be omitted if the decorative material is sufficiently durable to be exposed directly to the environment and if its surface finish is sufficiently aesthetically appealing. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the receiver portion  33  of the decorative cap  25  is slightly recessed from raised edge  37  and joined to the receiver portion  33  by transition portion  35 . The inner-diameter of receiver portion  33  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of decorative element  27 . The dimensions and arrangement of the inwardly angled transition portion  35  help to center and seat the decorative element  27  in the receiver portion  33 . The outer diameter of cover  28  is slightly smaller than the inner dimension of the raised edge  37 . The cover portion  28  may be deposited as a flowable liquid resin that cover the entire decorative element  27  and at least a portion of the transition portion  35 , but is deposited in a small enough quantity that it does not cover the raised edge  37 . The flowable liquid resin would then be cured to harden it and assist in bonding it to the decorative element  27  and transition portion  35 . Alternately, the cover  28  can be a thin translucent or transparent plastic disk that is adhesively affixed to decorative element  27  and/or transition portion  35 . 
         [0030]    The decorative cap  25  of the stud earring  20  is dimensioned to be interchangeable with the other interchangeable jewelry bases in the jewelry pieces or matched sets of the invention, for example, the dangling earring base  140  of  FIG. 11  or the pendant jewelry base  240  of  FIG. 12 . To accomplish the interchangeable nature of these jewelry pieces, the peripheral edges  129  and  229  of the magnet  124  of dangling earring  120  ( FIG. 11 ) and magnet  224  of pendant  220  ( FIG. 12 ) are dimensioned to be slightly smaller than the outer peripheral dimension of outer rim  30  of decorative cap portion  25 . In this way, the same decorative cap  25  can be used interchangeably with each of these three different jewelry bases  40 ,  140 , and  240  to form three different jewelry pieces  20 ,  120 , and  220 . 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the interchangeability feature allows for the matching of multiple interchangeable base jewelry pieces with sets of caps bearing the same design. Thus, a customer who has purchased multiple interchangeable bases of the invention could also purchase a set of four identical caps and have matching earring (either with the dangling or post type earring) and a pendant to wear as a matched set. The purchase and use of multiple sets of matched decorative caps each having the same decorative elements within a set, but different decorative elements between different matched sets, allows the purchaser to inexpensively match, contrast and/or complement a garment, physical attribute of the wearer or fashion accessory. The decorative cap in a matched set can be worn with any of the different interchangeable jewelry bases of the invention whether post-style earrings, dangling earrings, pendants, rings (not shown), or necklaces (not shown). Thus the wearer can choose a matched set of decorative caps that best matches, contrasts with or complements a given garment, wearer&#39;s physical characteristic, or accessory from among the plurality of matched sets of decorative caps. Then, the wearer can create the matched set of jewelry items by choosing a plurality of interchangeable jewelry bases for receipt of one of the matched set of decorative caps. Next, the selected set of decorative caps is detachably coupled to the selected set of interchangeable jewelry bases to form a matched set of jewelry pieces. Furthermore, the matched sets of decorative caps can be organized and held for easy storage and visualization on a magnetic board  60  illustrated in  FIG. 13 . This allows the owner of the decorative jewelry pieces to easily visualize the possible matches and/or combination of mismatched cap sets that the owner may utilize. For example, the owner may decide to use mismatched decorative cap sets that share a common design theme, color or pattern. Moreover, the magnetic board  60  is sufficiently portable that the entire unit with all the decorative cap sets can be packed in a suitcase so that the owner has the full range of choices of decorative caps when traveling. This can facilitate the process of packing for a trip by allowing the owner to bring a full range of matched decorative cap sets. In this way, the owner can avoid the laborious task of selecting complementary or matching jewelry for each outfit packed for a trip. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIGS. 6-10  which best show base portion  40  of the earring  20 , magnetic portion  24  is preferably formed from a permanent magnet that is formed from a rare earth alloy such as Neodymium or Samarium alloys, but may also be formed of iron oxide, strontium carbonate, or barium carbonate (ceramic magnetic materials), Alinco (alloys of Aluminum, Nickel and Cobalt). Permanent Magnet  24  is affixed to planar surface  23  via a suitable industrial adhesive. Base portion  40  is preferably formed of a material matched in color and surface treatment with cap  25 . Typically, both the receiver portion  26  of decorative cap  25  and the base  23  are formed from a nickel alloy to provide a shiny surface finish and provide corrosion resistance to the jewelry. 
         [0033]    The backing portion  22  (best seen in  FIGS. 9-10 ) is formed from a thin, resilient metallic blank which retains a spring like memory when arms  22   a  are curled inwardly to form a narrow gap therebetween for receipt of post  21  of base  23 . Post  21  has a slightly larger external diameter than the narrow gap so that arms  22   a  grasp post  21  when it is inserted through aperture  22   c . Further, arms  22   a  each have a central groove  22   d  that helps to center and align  21  when it is passing between spring arms  21   a . Backing portion  22  also preferably includes a pair of small peripheral apertures (not shown) which are designed to be received by a pair of retainers to facilitate bending of the arms  22   a  during manufacture of same. The earring backing may be formed from thin metallic blanks that are bent into the curled arm position by inserting the blank into posts and then bending them over a pair of rod structures to form spring arms  21   a.    
         [0034]      FIG. 11  depicts the interchangeable dangling earring  120  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. The earring  120  includes an interchangeable base portion  140 , which consists of a clasp  121  joined to a loop  124  for passing through a pierced ear and being secured thereto, a link portion joining the  141  for joining the clasp  122  and loop  124  to the dangling portion  141 . The magnetic portion  124  is dimensioned for releasably coupling with the decorative cap  25  previously described above. The magnetic portion  124  is preferably adhered to the dangling portion  141  via an adhesive and magnetic portion  124  includes a peripheral edge  129  that is dimensioned to encompass by the outer rim  30  of the decorative cap  25 . The outer rim  30  extends from the back surface  31  of the decorative cap  25 . Preferably, the inner diameter of the outer rim  30  is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral edge  129  of the permanent magnetic  124  to form a gap therebetween, which is sufficiently large to facilitate removal of the decorative cap  25  from the earring  120 , but sufficiently small to prevent excessive lateral movement of the decorative cap in order to prevent unintentional decoupling of the decorative cap  25  from earring base  140 . Dangling portion  141  and linking portion  123  are preferably manufactured utilizing metals with similar coloration, gloss, and surface finishes. Dangling portion  14  is formed by similar processes and utilizing similar materials as set forth above for base portion  40 . 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIG. 12  which depicts the interchangeable dangling earring  220  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. The earring  220  includes an interchangeable base portion  240 , which consists of a clasp  11  joined to a loop  124  for passing through a pierced ear and being secured thereto, a link portion joining the  141  for joining the clasp  122  and loop  124  to the dangling portion  141 , which includes magnetic portion  124  and to which decorative cap  25  can be releasably coupled. The magnetic portion  24  is preferably adhered to the dangling portion  141  via an adhesive and magnetic portion  124  includes a peripheral edge  129  that is dimensioned to encompass by the outer rim  30  of the decorative cap  25 . The outer rim  30  extends from the back surface  31  of the decorative cap  25 . Preferably, the inner diameter of the outer rim  30  is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral edge  129  of the permanent magnetic  124  to form a gap therebetween, which is sufficiently large to assist in removal of the decorative cap  25  from the earring  120 , but sufficiently small to prevent excessive lateral movement of the decorative cap to assist in preventing unintentional decoupling of the decorative cap  25  from earring base  140 . The preferred gap is about 1 mm with gaps of about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm being acceptable. Magnet  124  preferably has an external diameter of 10 mm, with external diameters between about 9 mm and 11 mm being acceptable. Cap  25  preferably has an internal diameter of about 11 mm with between about 10.5 mm and 12 mm being acceptable, and cap  25  further has a preferred external diameter of about 12 mm with 11.5 to 13 mm being acceptable. Dangling portion  141  and linking portion  123  are preferably manufactured utilizing metals with similar coloration, glass, and surface finishes. Dangling portion  141  may be formed by similar processes and utilizing similar materials as set forth above for base portion  40  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10 . 
         [0036]    The backing portion  122  (best seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of the dangling earring  120  is formed from a thin, resilient wire piece  121  joined to a hinging portion  122 , which is spring biased toward wire piece  121 , when in the closed position shown in  FIG. 11 . In the open position shown in  FIG. 12 , the wire portion may be passed through the pierced portion of the wearer&#39;s ear and then closed to secure the earring to the wearer&#39;s ear. Wire portion  121 , hinging portion  122  and linking portion  123  may all be formed of similar materials as dangling portion  123 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 13  depicts the interchangeable pendant  220  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. The pendant  220  includes an interchangeable base portion  240 , which consists of a loop portion  222  for connection to a chain (not shown) for passing over the wearer&#39;s head and around their neck, and a magnetic portion  224 . The interchangeable base  240  is designed to be releasably coupled to decorative cap  25 . The magnetic portion  224  is preferably adhered to the pendant portion  241  via an adhesive and magnetic portion  224  includes a peripheral edge  129  that is dimensioned to encompass by the outer rim  30  of the decorative cap  25 . The outer rim  30  extends from the back surface  31  of the decorative cap  25 . Preferably, the inner diameter of the outer rim  30  is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral edge  129  of the permanent magnetic  224  to form a gap therebetween, which is sufficiently large to assist in removal of the decorative cap  25  from the earring  120 , but sufficiently small to prevent excessive lateral movement of the decorative cap to assist in preventing unintentional decoupling of the decorative cap  25  from earring base  140 . The preferred gap is about 1 mm with gaps of about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm being acceptable. Magnet  224  preferably has an external diameter of 10 mm, with external diameters between about 9 mm and 11 mm being acceptable. Cap  25  preferably has an internal diameter of about 11 mm with between about 10.5 mm and 12 mm being acceptable, and cap  25  further has a preferred external diameter of about 12 mm with 11.5 to 13 mm being acceptable. Pendant base portion  241  is preferably manufactured utilizing metals with similar coloration, glass, and surface finishes. Pendant base portion  241  may be formed by similar processes and utilizing s            
         [0038]    Of course other jewelry pieces such as rings or necklaces can fashioned to releasably and interchangeably couple with the decorative caps of the invention. Such pieces would of necessity include a permanent magnet which is dimensioned to include a peripheral edge that is encompassed by the outer rim  30  of the decorative cap  25 . 
         [0039]    Other modifications or variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings of the invention. The invention may be practiced in other forms than described herein and be covered by the scope of the claims for this invention.