Abstract:
The present invention is a novel technique for setting a multiplicity of precious stones such as diamonds into a unique setting to enhance the beauty and presentation of the multiplicity of set stones, with the technique including setting a center stone held by small prongs, an outer series of stones wherein each outer stone is held by a pair of large prongs, and an intermediate series of stones held by the larger outer prongs which hold the small stones so that the intermediate stones partially cover the center stone and outer series of stones in a manner which conceals the way the outer stones are held.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the field of jewelry and more particularly to precious stones such as diamonds. The present invention focuses on the area ofjewelry which is involved with setting precious stones such as diamonds into a mounting. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   In general, the techniques for setting diamonds and other precious stones have been known for many centuries. The following ten (10) patents are relevant to the present invention:
     1. U.S. Pat. No. 677,075 issued to R. Fuchs on Jun. 25, 1901 for “Cluster Setting” (hereinafter the “Fuchs patent”);   2. U.S. Pat. No. 736,022 issued to F. W. Rhode on Aug. 11, 1903 for “Cluster Setting for Rings, Brooches, or the Like” (hereinafter the “Rhode patent”);   3. U.S. Pat. No. 1,818,324 issued to S. A. Hamin on Aug. 11, 1931 for “Means and Method for Mounting Stones and the Like” (hereinafter the “&#39;324 Hamin patent”);   4. U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,978 issued to S. A. Hamin on Sep. 14, 1935 for “Jewel Mounting” (hereinafter the “&#39;978 Hamin patent”);   5. U.S. Pat. No. 2,774,231 issued to H. Peterson on Dec. 28, 1953 for “Mounting Having a Large Central Gem Overlying Adjacent Small Gems” (hereinafter the “Peterson patent”);   6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,660 issued to Dostourian on Mar. 31, 1992 for 9 “Mounting for Gem Stones” (hereinafter the “Dostourian patent”);   7. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 409,518 issued to Nelson Chi Kai Ho on May 11, 1999 for “Diamond Article of Jewelry” (hereinafter the “Ho patent”);   8. U.S. Pat. No. D480,659 S issued to Werner Pachauer on Oct. 14, 2003 for “The Ornamental Design for Overlap Setting” (hereinafter the “Pachauer patent”);   9. U.S. Pat. No. D485,509 S issued to Simon Shagalov on Jan. 20, 2004 for “Jewelry Precious Stone Arrangement” (hereinafter the “&#39;509 Shagalov patent”);   10. U.S. Pat. No. D498,699 S issued to Simon Shagalov on Nov. 23, 2004 for “Precious Stone Arrangement” (hereinafter the “&#39;699 Shagalov patent”).   

   The Fuchs patent which issued in 1901 has as its concept the use of a sheet metal ring with annular series of extending prongs which support the stones. The sheet metal ring is shown in FIG. 4. 
   The Rohde patent which issued in 1903 discloses a cluster setting. 
   The &#39;324 Hamin patent has a base member 11 is secured to a shank of the ring and the base comprises a shell having an upstanding wall 12 which is struck or serrated so as to generally conform to the outer edges of the series of encircling stones. The central stone member illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided with an upstanding wall 21 having a plain or pointed top from which extends an inwardly directed shoulder 22 and a depending inwardly inclined wall or flange 23. 
   The &#39;978 Hamin patent which issued in 1936 has a jewelry mounting as best illustrated in FIG. 3 where one stone is mounted above another. 
   The Peterson patent is a mounting having a large central gem overlying adjacent small gems. In this case as you can see, the smaller gems are supported by prongs and then the large overlying gems partially cover those smaller gems. 
   The Dostourian patent is a mounting for gem stones which basically shows a plurality of large round diamonds and small round diamonds with the pavilion portion of the large round diamonds bearing directly upon and overlying, at least a portion, of the crown of the smaller round diamonds such that individual metallic prongs for the diamonds are eliminated. 
   The Ho patent is a design patent which protects the shape of the object wherein there are a multiplicity of smaller stones with a large stone covering a portion of the smaller stones. 
   The Pachauer patent is also a design patent that protects the shape of the jewelry design. The design is that of an overlapping setting which shows a center stones surrounded by six stones, one above, one below and two on each side. 
   The &#39;509 Shagolov patent is a jewelry arrangement of precious stones which is also a design patent. This design arrangement has the center stone above the other stones. 
   The &#39;699 Shagalov patent is a design patent that protects the concept of overlaying stones wherein the center stone is supported by four stones on the outside and there are four lower stones which the center stone covers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a novel technique for setting a multiplicity of precious stones such as diamonds into a unique setting to enhance the beauty and presentation of the multiplicity of set stones, with the technique including setting a center stone held by small prongs, an outer series of stones wherein each outer stone is held by a pair of large prongs, and an intermediate series of stones held by the larger outer prongs which hold the small stones so that the intermediate stones partially cover the center stone and outer series of stones in a manner which conceals the way the outer stones are held. 
   It is an object of the present invention to create a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting so that a large center stone is held by a multiplicity of small prongs, an outer series of preferably small stones are respectively held by pairs of large prongs, and an intermediate series of stones are held by the same large prongs which hold the small stones by each intermediate stone is held by two prongs selected form one each of an from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each of the intermediate stones at least partially cover a portion of two adjacent outer stones so that the way the outer stones are held is concealed. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to vary the size of the stones so that the center stone can be the smallest stone or the intermediate stones and the outer stones can be the same size or larger than the center stone. 
   It is further object of the present invention to vary the size of the stones proportionately so to make the outer dimension smaller or larger. The stones  78  through  88  will be the smallest in the entire mounting. The stones  90  through  100  will be the medium size stones in the entire mounting. And the center stone  76  will be the largest stone in the entire mounting. Further this proportion will always remain the same and will vary accordingly to achieve larger or smaller outer dimension. 
   Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the jewelry mounting without any precious stones retained thereon; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the jewelry mounting with a center large diamond set in place and six smaller diamonds also set in place and in the same row as the center large diamond; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the jewelry mounting with a center large diamond set in place, six outer smaller diamonds also set in place and in the same row as the center large diamond, and four of the intermediate upper group of diamonds set in place; and 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the completed jewelry setting with a center large diamond set in place, six outer smaller diamonds also set in place and in the same row as the center large diamond, and six intermediate diamonds on the upper layer which partially cover the large center stone and the six outer smaller stones, and which are respectively held in place by the same prongs which hold the outer smaller stones. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the completed jewelry setting with a center large diamond set in place, six outer smaller diamonds also set in place and in the same row as the center large diamond, and six intermediate diamonds on the upper layer which partially cover the large center stone and the six outer smaller stones, and which are respectively held in place by the same prongs which hold the outer smaller stones. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
   The present invention technique for setting diamonds and other precious stones begins with a mounting base  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mounting base  10  has a floor  12  onto which is formed a large centrally disposed receiving member or cavity  14 . The center cavity  14  is surrounded by six small embedded prongs  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  which are spaced around center cavity  14 . Looking down on the setting base  10 , one small prong  16  is above the center cavity  14 , one small prong  22  is oppositely disposed to small prong  16  and is below the center cavity  14 , two small prongs  18  and  20  are to one side of the center cavity  14  and the two remaining small prongs  24  and  26  are set to the opposite side of the center cavity  14  and are respectively aligned with small prongs  18  and  20 . Spaced between each pair of small prongs and positioned radially outward from the small prongs are six medium sized cavities  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Medium sized cavity  28  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  26  and  16 . Medium sized cavity  30  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  16  and  18 . Medium sized cavity  32  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  18  and  20 . Medium sized cavity  34  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  20  and  22 . Medium sized cavity  36  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  22  and  24 . Medium sized cavity  38  is positioned between and radially outward from small prongs  24  and  26 . Spaced between each pair of medium sized cavities and positioned radially outward from the six medium sized cavities are six small cavities  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50 . Small cavity  40  is positioned between and radially outward from medium sized cavities  28  and  30 . Small cavity  42  is positioned between and radially outward from medium sized cavities  30  and  32 . Small cavity  44  is positioned between and radially outward from medium sized cavities  32  and  34 . Small cavity  46  is positioned between and radially outward from medium sized cavities  34  and  36 . Small cavity  48  is positioned between and radially outward from medium sized cavities  36  and  38 . Positioned radially outward from and on opposite upper sides of the small cavities are six pairs of larger outer prongs. The larger outer prongs are  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  74 . Larger outer prongs  52  and  54  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  40 . Larger outer prongs  56  and  58  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  42 . Larger outer prongs  60  and  62  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  44 . Larger outer prongs  64  and  66  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  46 . Larger outer prongs  68  and  70  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  48 . Larger outer prongs  72  and  74  are radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of small cavity  50   
   By way of example only, the diameter for the large center cavity can be 1.60 mm for 0.25 carat models and 1.70 mm for 0.50 carat models. The diameter for the medium sized cavities can be 1.10 mm for 0.25 carat models and 1.20 mm for 0.50 carat models. The diameter for small sized cavities can be 0.30 mm for 0.25 carat models and 0.60 mm for 0.50 carat models. For 0.25 carat models, the small inner prongs can be 0.50 mm in diameter and the larger outer prongs can be 0.75 mm in diameter. For 0.50 carat models, the small inner prongs can be 0.45 mm and the larger outer prongs can be 0.80 mm. 
   The setting technique will now be described. The large center stone  76  is set first and is set so that its pavilion is placed within the center cavity  14  and the stone  76  held adjacent its girdle by the six small prongs  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  so that its facets are exposed. Then each outer small stone  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  is set along the outer periphery so that their pavilions are respectively placed within a small cavity and are respectively held adjacent its girdle by a set of two larger prongs. For outer small stone  78 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  40  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  52  and  54 . For outer small stone  80 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  42  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  56  and  58 . For outer small stone  82 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  44  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  60  and  62 . For outer small stone  84 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  46  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  64  ands  66 . For outer small stone  86 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  48  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  68  and  70 . For outer small stone  88 , its pavilion is placed within cavity  50  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  72  and  74 . The upper portion of the crown of each of the small stones  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  are on the same horizontal level as upper portion of the crown of the large stone  76 . 
   Finally, the upper layer of six intermediate medium sized stones is set. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each medium sized stone  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100  is set so that their pavilions are respectively placed within a medium sized cavity and are respectively held adjacent its girdle by a set of two larger prongs, with a different pair of large prongs holding a smaller stone. For intermediate medium sized stone  90 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  28  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  74  and  52 . For intermediate medium sized stone  92 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  30  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  54  and  56 . For intermediate medium sized stone  94 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  32  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  58  and  60 . For intermediate medium sized stone  96 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  34  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  62  and  64 . For intermediate medium sized stone  98 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  36  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  66  and  68 . For intermediate medium sized stone  100 , its pavilion is placed within medium sized cavity  38  and it is held adjacent its girdle by large prongs  70  and  72   
   As a result of this setting technique, the way the outer periphery of outer smaller stones  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  is set and held is concealed. Intermediate medium sized stones  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  and  100  rest above a portion of and partially conceal a portion of large center stone  76  and outer small stones  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88 . As a result, a beautiful stone pattern is achieved with a unique way to set the stones so that the way the lower periphery of outer small stones is held is concealed. 
   The present invention has been described with the center stone  76  being the largest and the outer periphery stones  78  through  88  being the smallest and stones  90  through  100  being the medium size stones. The stones sizes will be reduced or increased proportionately to get the overall larger or smaller outer dimension of the round shape. Stone  90  through  100  each and every stone has to be of same size similarly each stones  78  through  88  has to be of the same size too. And the center stone will always be of larger size as compared to all other stones in the mounting and the size will vary proportionately as per the stone  90  through  100  and  78  through  88 . 
   For the above technique, the preferred stones are diamonds. However, the technique of the present invention can be used with other colored precious stones such as rubies, emeralds sapphires, etc. 
   Defined in detail, the present invention is a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting, comprising: (a) starting with a setting base having a floor with a large centrally disposed cavity surrounded by six small upwardly projecting prongs equally spaced around the center cavity, six medium sized cavities each respectively positioned between and radially outward from a pair of small prongs, six small cavities positioned between and radially outward from two adjacent medium sized cavities and six pairs of large upwardly projecting prongs spaced radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of a respective small cavity; (b) positioning a large stone having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that the pavilion is placed in the center cavity and the six small prongs hold the large stone by its girdle; (c) positioning six small stones each having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that a pavilion of each respective small stone is placed in a respective small cavity and each small stone is held through its girdle by a pair of large prongs, the large stone and the six small stones positioned so that the upper portion of their respective crowns are in the same plane; and (d) positioning six medium sized stones each having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that a pavilion of each respective medium sized stone is placed in a respective medium sized cavity and each medium sized stone is held through its girdle by two large prongs wherein each large prong is from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each medium sized stone partially covers the large center stone and partially covers two adjacent small stones so the way the small stones are held is not visible. 
   Defined broadly, the present invention is a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting, comprising: (a) starting with a setting base having a floor with a centrally disposed cavity surrounded by six small prongs spaced around the center cavity, six intermediate cavities each respectively positioned between and radially outward from a pair of small prongs, six outer cavities positioned between and radially outward from two adjacent intermediate cavities and six pairs of large upwardly projecting prongs spaced radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of a respective outer cavity; (b) positioning a center stone having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that the pavilion is placed in the center cavity and the six small prongs hold the stone; (c) positioning six outer stones each having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that a pavilion of each respective stone is placed in a respective outer cavity and each stone is held by a pair of large prongs, the center stone and the six outer stones positioned so that the upper portion of their respective crowns are in the same plane; and (d) positioning six intermediate stones each having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that a pavilion of each respective intermediate stone is placed in a respective intermediate cavity and each intermediate stone is held through its girdle by two large prongs wherein each large prong is from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each intermediate stone partially covers the center stone and partially covers two adjacent outer stones so the way the outer stones are held is not visible. 
   Defined more broadly, the present invention is a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting, comprising: (a) starting with a setting base having a floor with a centrally disposed cavity surrounded by six small prongs spaced around the center cavity, six intermediate cavities each respectively positioned between and radially outward from a pair of small prongs, six outer cavities positioned between and radially outward from two adjacent intermediate cavities and six pairs of large upwardly projecting prongs spaced radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of a respective outer cavity; (b) positioning a center stone having a pavilion, a girdle and a crown such that the pavilion is placed in the center cavity and the six small prongs hold the stone; (c) positioning six outer stones such that a portion of each respective stone is placed in a respective outer cavity and each stone is held by a pair of large prongs, the center stone and the six outer stones positioned so that they are in the same plane; and (d) positioning six intermediate stones such that a portion of each respective intermediate stone is placed in a respective intermediate cavity and each intermediate stone is held by two large prongs wherein each large prong is from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each intermediate stone partially covers the center stone and partially covers two adjacent outer stones so the way the outer stones are held is not visible. 
   Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting, comprising: (a) starting with a setting base having a floor with a centrally disposed cavity surrounded by a multiplicity of small prongs spaced around the center cavity, a multiplicity of intermediate cavities each respectively positioned between and radially outward from a pair of small prongs, a multiplicity of outer cavities positioned between and radially outward from two adjacent intermediate cavities and a multiplicity of pairs of large upwardly projecting prongs spaced radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of a respective outer cavity; (b) positioning a center stone so that a portion of the stone is placed in the center cavity and the multiplicity of small prongs hold the stone; (c) positioning a multiplicity of outer stones such that a portion of each respective stone is placed in a respective outer cavity and each stone is held by a pair of large prongs, the center stone and the multiplicity of outer stones positioned so that they are in the same plane; and (d) positioning a multiplicity of intermediate stones such that a portion of each respective intermediate stone is placed in a respective intermediate cavity and each intermediate stone is held by two large prongs wherein each large prong is from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each intermediate stone partially covers the center stone and partially covers two adjacent outer stones so the way the outer stones are held is not visible. 
   Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a technique for setting precious stones in a mounting, comprising: (a) starting with a setting base having a floor with a centrally disposed cavity surrounded by a multiplicity of small prongs spaced around the center cavity, a multiplicity of intermediate cavities each respectively positioned between and radially outward from a pair of small prongs, a multiplicity of outer cavities positioned between and radially outward from two adjacent intermediate cavities and a multiplicity of pairs of large upwardly projecting prongs spaced radially outward from and spaced adjacent opposite upper edges of a respective outer cavity; (b) positioning a center stone so that a portion of the stone is placed in the center cavity and the multiplicity of small prongs hold the stone; (c) positioning a multiplicity of outer stones such that a portion of each respective stone is placed in a respective outer cavity and each stone is held by a pair of large prongs; and (d) positioning a multiplicity of intermediate stones such that a portion of each respective intermediate stone is placed in a respective intermediate cavity and each intermediate stone is held by two large prongs wherein each large prong is from an adjacent pair of prongs so that each intermediate stone partially covers the center stone and partially covers two adjacent outer stones so the way the outer stones are held is not visible. 
   Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.