Abstract:
A ring or other similar jewelry item includes a base, a plurality of platforms arranged on the base and a plurality of prongs, each prong being disposed on a platform. The prongs extend above the platforms and are arranged to form settings for precious or semi-precious stones.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention pertains to a novel setting for diamonds and other precious stones, and, more particular, to a novel setting used in a jewelry item that raises the stones to a higher position then previous arrangements. The settings can be used in rings, pendants, earrings and other jewelry items. 
         [0003]    B. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Many types of jewelry items incorporate precious stones. In most instances, these stones are mounted on the item by settings consisting of several prongs disposed peripherally about the stones. It has been found that it is desirable to use settings that raise the stones because they draw more attention to the stones, provide an illusion of bigger stones and allow for more light to shine through the stones, thereby making them more attractive. 
         [0005]    One such type of setting is the tall prong setting in which the prongs are longer than in a standard setting to lift the stone into the air, above the rest of the jewelry item. This setting is more suitable for items with individual stones and is not advisable to be worn during sports or other strenuous activity during which the stone can be hit and dislodged. 
         [0006]    Another setting is of the type used on eternity rings. These rings are formed with cavities in the shank of the rings and prongs attached to the shank and disposed to position the stones over the cavities. A problem with this construction is that the resulting jewelry item looks heavy, the appearance of the ring is dominated by the metal portion of the ring and the stone is overshadowed. A further problem is that the cavities themselves collect dirt which reduces the amount of light reflected into the stones. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly, a jewelry item constructed in accordance with this invention includes a base with a plurality of platforms arranged in pairs and extending to form setting supports for precious stones. A prong is mounted on each platform and arranged to cooperate with other prongs to form settings for the stones. The prongs are recessed from the edges of the platform. As a result, the item has a clean, airy look with much less metal in evidence then the standard eternity-type settings. Moreover, the stones are thrust upward toward the viewer, thereby emphasizing the stones and de-emphasizing the rest of the item. The invention is applicable to a ring, an earring, a pendant, a broche, etc. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a side elevational view of a ring constructed in accordance with the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a partial perspective view of the ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of a pendant, such as a cross constructed in accordance with this invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows an orthogonal view of a heart-shaped pendant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIGS. 1-5  show how the present invention is implemented to make a ring. More specifically, a ring  10  includes a toroidal shank  12 . One section of the shank  12  has a greater thickness in order to define a crown portion  14 . Rising radially outwardly from the shank  12  in the area of crown  14  are provided a series of spaced side-by-side platforms  16  with extending prongs  18 . Prongs  18  hold stones  20  in a conventional manner well known in the art. (In  FIGS. 2-5  the ring  10  is shown without the stones  20  for the sake of clarity). 
         [0016]    In addition, two prongs  19  are disposed on the outer surface  22  of the shank  12 . As seen more clearly in  FIG. 3 , platforms  16  are formed by drilling holes transversally through the crown  14  to form cavities  24 . Each cavity  24  has a sidewall  26  that is partially cylindrical extending from a center O and having a radius R. Moreover, each sidewall  26  extends over an arc of over 180 degrees. As a result, each of the platforms  16  has somewhat of an hourglass shape with an enlarged top surface  30 . Moreover, each platform has sidewalls  32  that are essentially coplanar with the rest of the crown  14 . Prongs  18  are disposed inwardly of and offset from the edges of the platforms and their sidewalls  32 . 
         [0017]    The ring  10  further includes longitudinal channels  34 . Each channel  34  is disposed between two side-by-side platforms  16 . The prongs  18  are sized and shaped to secure stones  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . During the installation of the stones  20 , the prongs  18  can be notched if necessary. 
         [0018]    As discussed above, the resulting ring  10  has several advantageous features and characteristics. The cavities  24  and channels  34  reflect light into the stones  20  which makes them shine more prominently and therefore they look bigger, brighter and more expensive. The channels  34  facilitate fluid flow under and between the stones  20  during cleaning, thereby insuring that the dirt between the prongs is removed effectively. The platforms  16  have more substance, are thicker and therefore provide more mechanical support for the prongs  18 . Moreover, the resulting settings provide a more open and less metallic look than the prior art. 
         [0019]    In particular, the ratio of the longitudinal width A along the top surfaces of platform  16  to the longitudinal thickness B of prong  18  is between about 2:1 and 5:1 (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0020]    The ratio of the transverse width C of platform  16  to the transverse thickness D of prong  18  is between about 1.5:1 and 4:1 (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0021]    The ratio of the longitudinal distance E  16  across cavity  24  and the longitudinal width A of each platform  16  is between about 1:1 and 3:1 (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0022]    The ratio of the transverse width C of platform  16  to the transverse width F of channel  34  is between about 1:1 and 4:1 (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0023]    The ratio of the transverse width G of shank crown portion  14  and the transverse width C of each side-by-side platform is between about 9:4 and 3:1 (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0024]    The ratio of the transverse width of G of shank crown portion  14  and the distance H that prong  18  is disposed inwardly of side-wall  32  is between about 5:1 and 10:1 (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0025]    The ratio of the transverse width C of platform  16  and the distance H which prong  18  is disposed inwardly of side-wall  32  is between about 1.5:1 and 4:1. (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0026]    The ratio of the depth J of cavity  24  to the depth I of channel  34  is between about 1.5:1 and 3:1 (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0027]    The ratio of the depth I of cavity  24  and the height K of prong  18  is between about 1:1 and 3:1 (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0028]    The present invention was described in conjunction with a ring  10 . However, it can be extended to other jewelry items.  FIG. 6  shows a pendant such as a cross  40  incorporating the invention claimed herein. For this item, the base is a flat cross.  FIG. 7  shows a heart-shaped pendant. 
         [0029]    Obviously numerous modifications may be made to this invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims.