Abstract:
A bezel setting for a ring or other jewelry item is provided. The bezel setting is mounted along the jewelry item and includes a first bezel element and a facing second bezel element for defining an opening therebetween in which a jewelry stone is received. The bezel elements are movable with respect to one another in order to be able to selectively adjust the distance between the bezel elements, and thus the size of the opening. As a result, the bezel setting can accommodate jewelry stones of varying size.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/208,333 May 31, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a setting for a jewelry item, and more particularly, to an adjustable bezel or prong setting for accommodating different size jewelry stones. 
     In the jewelry trade, bezel or prong settings are used to hold and retain diamonds and other types of precious or semi-precious stones. Presently, bezel or prong settings are fixed in position with respect to the jewelry item, and therefore different bezel sizes (openings) are required for different size stones. Bezel or prong settings usually come in ¼ carat (4 m/m), ⅜ carat (4½ m/m), one-half carat—⅝ carat—¾ carat—1 carat—all the way up to about 2 carats. For each size, there is a ½ m/m increase. Moreover, even with the ½ m/m separation, the stone that is used often does not fit appropriately. 
     The problem with the prior art bezel and prong settings is that it is necessary to have a different size setting for each ring or other jewelry item in order to cover the various range of stone sizes. Moreover, even having different size settings is less than desirable, since some stones may not fit appropriately within the bezel or prong setting. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a bezel or prong type setting for a ring or other jewelry item which overcomes the above disadvantages and enables the easy retention of various size jewelry stones. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a bezel or prong setting for a ring or other jewelry item is provided. The bezel or prong setting is mounted along the jewelry item and includes a first bezel or prong element and a facing second bezel or prong element for defining an opening therebetween in which a jewelry stone is received. The bezel or prong elements are movable with respect to one another in order to be able to selectively adjust the distance between the bezel or prong elements, and thus the size of the opening. As a result, the bezel or prong setting can accommodate jewelry stones of varying size. 
     Preferably, the bezel or prong elements of the setting are movable with respect to one another by being pivotally attached along the jewelry item. In particular, each bezel or prong element has a depending flexible pin element coupled to the jewelry item. Each pin element is received in a hole formed in the jewelry unit and can flex in both a forward and back direction. As a result, each bezel or prong element is adjustable in both a forward and back direction so that the setting is capable of receiving different size jewelry stones. 
     After the bezel or prong elements for any given jewelry item have been moved or positioned as directed, each bezel or prong element, including its corresponding depending pin element, is soldered and/or bonded in position. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved bezel or prong setting for a jewelry item. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a bezel or prong setting for a jewelry item which can accommodate various size jewelry stones. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide a bezel or prong setting for a jewelry item in which the bezel elements thereof may be adjusted in position therealong. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bezel or prong setting for a jewelry item in which a jewelry stone fits correctly therewithin. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the following description. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features, elements and parts as described in the following description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the various component parts of a ring assembly incorporating the inventive bezel setting; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive bezel setting mounted to a ring and retaining a jewelry stone therewithin. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is side elevational view in partial cross-section showing the bezel elements of the inventive bezel setting being outwardly adjusted in position in accommodate a larger size stone; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section showing the bezel elements of the inventive bezel setting being adjusted inwardly in order to accommodate a smaller size stone; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the inventive tive bezel setting once soldering has taken place; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the inventive bezel setting retaining a jewelry stone and permanently fixed to the ring; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts of a ring assembly incorporating the inventive prong setting; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inventive prong setting mounted to a ring and retaining a jewelry stone therewithin; and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the inventive prong setting mounted to the ring. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, a ring assembly generally indicated at  11  and which utilizes the inventive setting  18  is described. Ring assembly  11  consists of a ring or shank  13  made from a precious metal such as gold, silver or platinum, defined by an outer surface  17 , an inner ace  15  and a pair of sidewalls  14 , as is well known in the art. Ring  13  is formed with a cut-out  19  in outer surface  17  in which setting  18  of the invention is received. Cut-out  19  formed in ring  13  is defined by a pair of sloped end walls  16  which lead to a separating protrusion  20 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Each of end walls  16  is formed with a radially inwardly extending hole  29  that is used for mounting bezel setting  18  within cut-out  19  of ring  13 , as described below. 
     Setting  18  is defined by two facing bezel elements  21  also made from a precious metal. Each bezel element  21  includes an inwardly curved member  25  (see FIG. 4) formed with a slot  26  that is sized to slidably pivot along outside surface  17  of ring  13 . Curved member  25  increases in radial dimension in an upward direction and is formed with an annular running tubular lip  27 . Lip  27  includes an underlying annular groove  28  in which the girdle of a stone mounted in bezel setting  18  is matingly received. Curved member  25  of each of bezel elements  21  leads to a lower axially running supporting bridge element  22  from which a depending pin  23  projects. Depending pin  23  of each of bezel elements  21  is designed for reception within holes  29  formed in cut-out  19  of ring  13 , as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     As is well known in the art, a jewelry stone, such as a round diamond, is generally indicated at  31  and includes a table portion  33 , a girdle  35  below which is a tapered portion leading to a cutlet  37 . Stone  31  is mounted within bezel elements  21  of bezel setting  18  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) such that girdle  35  is matingly received within grooves  28  of bezel elements  21 , as discussed above, and cutlet  37  is disposed above bridge element  22 . 
     In order for setting  18  to accommodate varying size jewelry stones, pins  23 , which are made from metal, of bezel elements  21  are selectively flexible in both forward and back directions (see FIGS.  6  and  7 ), such that each bezel element  21  is capable of slidably moving along ring  13  in corresponding forward and back directions. This is in part achievable since each bezel element  21  has a cut-out  26  which is shaped and sized to slidably fit over outside wall  17  of ring  13  at a location adjacent to where cut-out  19  is formed in ring  13 . Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a larger size stone  33 A, having a table portion  31 A, girdle  35 A and cutlet  37 A, as well as a smaller size stone  31 B, having a table portion  33 B, a girdle  35 B and a cutlet  37 B, can be engagingly accommodated within inventive bezel setting  18 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, once each of bezel elements  21  of setting  18  are slidably adjusted in position for accommodating a selected size jewelry stone, both curved member  25  and pin  23  are soldered or bonded in some other manner along end walls  16  of cut-out  19  formed in ring  13  by means of solder or bonding agent  37 . A finished ring product, as shown in FIG. 9, is then achieved. 
     In accordance with the invention, each setting element is capable of being selectively moved back and forth to accommodate different size jewelry stones. Thus, a selected stone may be laid into the bezel setting in order to obtain a more desired fit than in conventional bezel settings. The advantage is that a buyer can see the jewelry stone in the setting as if it were set permanently therewithin, helping the buyer to envision what the jewelry item will look like when delivered to the buyer in permanent condition. In contrast, prior art bezel settings were not capable of having the stone fit correctly therein, and oftentimes the stone tends to float on top or go too low in the setting, which is less than desirable. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a prong setting is shown substituted for a bezel setting and is defined by two facing prong elements  121  made from a precious metal. Each prong element  121  includes a pair of upwardly depending prongs  125  separated by a slot  126  that is sized to slidably pivot along outside surface  17  of ring  13 . Prongs  125  are each formed with a lip portion  127  at the top end thereof. Lip portion  127  of each prong  125  includes an underlying annular groove  128  in which girdle  35  of stone  31  mounted in the prong setting is matingly received. Prongs  125  of each of prong elements  121  leads to a lower axially running supporting bridge element  122  from which a depending pin  123  projects. Depending pin  123  of each of prong elements  121  is designed for reception within holes  29  formed in cut-out  19  of ring  13 , as best shown in FIG.  11 . As with the first embodiment of the invention, pins  123  of prong elements  121  are selectively flexible in both forward and back directions such that prong elements  121  are capable of slidably moving along ring  13  in corresponding forward and back directions. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.