Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of gemstone casting and gemstone setting using a variation of the lost wax method. That is, the present invention is directed towards making a setting wherein a gemstone is set in the center a wax mold. Prong members are then formed around the gemstone. A cast is then made having the exact measurements of the gemstone to be set. This gives the prong members a strong hold around the gemstone. A plurality of smaller gemstones are then evenly distributed around the main gemstone thus provide for better dispersion, scintillation and brilliancy coefficients of the main gemstone.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of gemstone casting and gemstone setting using a variation of the lost wax method. That is, the present invention is directed towards making a setting wherein a gemstone is set in the center a wax mold. Prong members are then formed around the gemstone. A cast is then made having the exact measurements of the gemstone to be set. This gives the prong members a strong hold around the gemstone. A plurality of smaller gemstones are then evenly distributed around the main gemstone thus provide for better dispersion, scintillation and brilliancy coefficients of the main gemstone.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     There are a variety of methods of casting a gemstone into a gemstone setting. Several methods use a lost wax method of setting a gemstone. The origins of the lost wax process are shrouded in antiquity, but it has been used for thousands of years to produce objects in metal which could not be produced any other way, due to the complexity of their form. It permits anything that can be modeled in wax to be faithfully transmuted into metal, and is still used today for certain industrial parts, dental restorations, fine jewelry, and sculpture.  
         [0003]     The lost wax process for jewelry design is slightly different from other lost wax methods. This is because the smaller quantities involved when making jewelry-sized pieces necessitate some adaptations to overcome the effects of surface tension, such as wax injection instead of simple pouring, and the use of a vacuum table or centrifugal casting machine to force metal into molds.  
         [0004]     After a wax mold is made, a venting system is formed to convey air and other gasses out of the mold when it is filled with hot metal. Once the mold is set up with its gates and vents, it is surrounded with a mixture that will cover it smoothly when wet and withstand high temperatures when baked.  
         [0005]     Once the mixture has set hard around the wax mold, the entire piece is placed in a kiln, slowly heated to between 1000 and 1250 degrees F., and held at that temperature until all wax residues have disappeared. The place where the wax was is now a void-hence the “lost wax” designation for this process. The metal is then melted and the molds are filled with liquid bronze or whatever metal is being used. The piece is then allowed to cool, and then the hardened baked mixture is broken away, revealing the metal part, which faithfully reproduces every detail of the original wax, plus the gates and vents, which must be cut off.  
         [0006]     Silver, gold, aluminum, brass, or bronze may be used interchangeably with this method. Special investment materials and melting equipment are necessary to deal with the higher temperatures of platinum, iron or stainless steel, but the process is much the same. Lower-melting metals such as tin, lead, and zinc may also be cast by this method, but there are other easier methods of casting them, so it is not often done. A variation on the lost-wax method is also used for casting objects in glass.  
         [0007]     There are also other lost wax methods, however, none of them address the need for a better method of setting a gemstone. For example, there are several U.S. patents available but all of them present certain problems and do not fulfill the need for a better diamond cut.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,916 to Whitehouse teaches a setting having a series of diverging setting prongs having a central space within the series. The neighboring prongs of those series have open spaces between them contracting downwardly and a framework of wires located in the central space surrounded by the series of prongs. The wires of the framework are slanted downwardly and laterally from both sides of each of the prongs and toward the axis of the setting and meeting and forming an angle between the prongs of each pair of neighboring prongs to resemble boundary lines of the under facets of a single cut stone. The applicant&#39;s invention comprises of a method for setting a gemstone. The method involves creating a wax mold and setting the gemstone into the wax and further securing it by two prongs. Furthermore, the setting itself comprises of a main gemstone surrounded by a series of smaller gemstones, which are used in directing the light into the gemstone, giving way to more brilliant appearing gemstone.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,978 to Hamin is directed to mountings for jewels, gems, pearls, rings and others. The Hamin patent provides a locking flange or collar, which may be formed as a separate base member or integrally with one of the bezels. The collar extends upwardly through the central opening in one of the annular bezels and its end is flanged radially outward into engagement with the edge of this bezel adjacent the opening through which it extends to clamp the two bezels in assembled relationship. Because of the shape and arrangement of the elements the flanging of the end of the collar tends to tighten the bezels rather than force them apart. The present invention teaches a method and apparatus for an ornamental setting, wherein the gemstone is cast by creating an opening for a center in a wax mold, then the gemstone is pressed in the wax and further placed into a ring, an earring or other decorative article. Two thick prongs are used to secure the gemstone in place. Finally, the setting comprises of a main gemstone and a surrounding smaller gemstones, which deliver an improved brilliance and scintillation.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,289 to Michaud discloses a manufacture of an article of jewelry cast using a lost wax method and having a seat in which a gem is preset. The gem having a girdle and the seat having a sidewall formed with opposing undercut grooves in which portions of the girdle engage as gem retention means, the method comprising the steps of molding the wax model having a seat with a sidewall formed with opposing undercut grooves, the wax model being formed from a wax having a predetermined resiliency enabling flexing of the sidewall of the seat, snapping a gem having a girdle set in the wax. The present invention comprises of a wax mold, which is made specifically according to the gemstone&#39;s size. The gemstone is set in the wax mold and further secured by two prongs. Furthermore, the setting itself comprises of a main stone, secured by the two prongs, and a plurality of smaller stones which are located around the main stone. The smaller stones create an appearance of a more brilliant and scintillating gemstone. The stones receive an incoming light and deflect it to the main gemstone.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,477 to Haimoff teaches method for setting gemstones. The method includes providing a wax mold pattern and inserting stones into a hot wax. The wax is cooled and the stones are secured. The present invention is a method of setting a gemstone using a wax mold and two prongs that serve to further secure the stone. Furthermore, the setting comprises of a main gemstone and smaller gemstones positioned around the main gemstone.  
         [0012]     While the prior art of a method of setting a gemstone and a gemstone setting itself is of a significant interest, it does not address a specific need of a particular way of having a gemstone setting, that achieves best brilliancy, scintillation and dispersion coefficients. The present invention addresses a method and apparatus for a gemstone setting that achieves excellent coefficients for many characteristics of a gemstone.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention is directed towards a method and apparatus of setting a gemstone.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of setting a gemstone in an article of jewelry, wherein a lost wax method is used to create a wax mold to secure a gemstone.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of setting a gemstone in an article of jewelry, wherein two prongs are used to secure a gemstone.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a setting of a gemstone, wherein a setting comprises of a main gemstone surrounded by smaller gemstones.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a setting of a gemstone, wherein such setting provides for better coefficients of brilliancy, scintillation and dispersion.  
         [0018]     Other objects of the present invention might become apparent from the foregoing description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The following description of preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, having a main gemstone set in the casing with smaller gemstones around it.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is top view of the preferred embodiment having a main gemstone in the center and peripheral gemstones surrounding it.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wax mold being cut along its vertical axes. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]     The present invention relates to the field of method and apparatus for gemstone setting. The present invention would be better understood in conjunction with a following description of a preferred embodiment. However, it is understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above referenced specific embodiment, but other embodiments are allowable, provided they are within the scope and spirit of the following claims.  
         [0025]     In the following description, references to the drawings, certain terms are used for conciseness, clarity and comprehension. It is assumed by one skilled in the art that there are to be no unnecessary limitations implied from the such references, besides the limitations imposed by the prior art, because such terms and references are used for descriptive purposes only and intended to be broadly construed. Furthermore, the description and the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and not to be construed as limited to the exact details shown, depicted, represented, or described.  
         [0026]     For illustrative purposes only, the present invention&#39;s preferred mode is described below. In a preferred embodiment, a gemstone setting may be used for a ring. However, other possible uses such for an earring, a pendant or other article of jewelry may be contemplated. The gemstones used in such gemstone setting may be precious, semiprecious or other conventionally known stones, such as rubies, diamonds, gems, etc. It is understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to this particular embodiment and, thus, other embodiments and uses are possible.  
         [0027]     Setting gems in a jewelry piece is often difficult when setting a gem in a free-standing position. The reason to have a free-standing gem is so that the gem is capable of receiving light from all possible angles adding to the natural brilliance of the gem. In order to set a free-standing gem, the gem must be lifted off the surface of the jewelry piece. But trying to set a gem that is free-standing proves to very difficult.  
         [0028]     The present invention overcomes this problem by setting the gem in a wax mold before the setting is cast. This allows the gem to be properly seated within the setting. It also allows the jeweler to add slits and peripheral gemstones to the jewelry piece allowing more natural light to enter the setting and main gemstone.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a gemstone setting  10  is depicted having a main gemstone  30  being placed in a wax mold  38  and further placed inside a casing  37 . The main gemstone  30  may be cut so that it has pavilion ribs  33  and a culet  50 . Furthermore, the main gemstone  30  may be a brilliant, a step or a mixed cut gemstone.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the wax mold  38  is shown sliced along its vertical axes revealing an opening  51  with sidewalls  41  and a point  43 . Furthermore, the wax mold  38  has a bottom  45  and sides  47 .  
         [0031]     One object of the present invention, referring to  FIG. 1 , is to secure a main gemstone  30  in a gemstone setting  10 , using a conventionally known lost wax method, wherein a wax material is molded into a particular setting  37 . (Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 ). The gemstone  30  is placed on top of the wax mold, thus, creating a wax mold  38  of the gemstone, wherein gemstone&#39;s rib lines  33  and culet  50  correspond to the wax mold  38  sidewalls  41  and point  43 , respectively.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the main gemstone  30  is shown being placed in the wax mold  38 . The contours of the wax mold  38  are shown in fanthom. Once the gemstone  30  is set in place, the wax mold  37  can be modified to enhance the amount of light that enters the setting  37  by adding a plurality of slits  48 , through which the main gemstone  30  appears. This allows the gemstone to  30  appear more brilliant, since the light not only enter through the crown of the main gemstone  30 , but also through the silts  48  and, thus, through the pavilion of the main gemstone.  
         [0033]     The slits  48  can be placed in a variety of positions as well as varying in size. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  two slits are placed on both sides of the setting, thus having four slits in total. Other embodiments may add more silts totaling to six or eight silts per setting. The slits perimeter can also vary in size from approximately ⅛″ to ½″ in length and approximately ⅛″ to ¼″ in height. But other perimeters may be used.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the casing  37  has sides  32 , bottom  35  and a top  39 . The top  39  serves to secure peripheral gemstones  24  around its perimeter. It is assumed by one skilled in the art that the number of peripheral gemstones  24  that can be placed on the top  39  depends on the peripheral gemstones sizes. The peripheral gemstones  24  serve to absorb an incoming light and then redirect it towards the main gemstone  30 . This setting increases brilliancy, scintillation and dispersion coefficients making the main gemstone  30  more appealing to the observer.  
         [0035]     Because of the unique location of the peripheral gemstones  24 , they are capable of receiving incoming light and redirecting it to the main gemstone  30  for further reflection. The main gemstone  30  gathers the redirected light from the peripheral gemstones  24  and reflects it, creating an appearance of more brilliant and scintillating gemstone setting.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the gemstone setting  10  may have a handles  34 . In the preferred embodiment, handles  34  would constitute a rim of a ring. The handles  34  are attached to the casing  37 .  
         [0037]     To properly secure the main gemstone  30  in the setting  37 , two or more prong members  20  are used. In this preferred embodiment, there are two prong members  20 . The prong members are secured to the top  39  and extend upwardly away from the top  39 . The prong members  20  contain grooved sections  21 , which are capable of receiving the main gemstone  30 , when it is placed inside the casing  37 . When the main gemstone  30  is placed inside casing  37 , the prong members  20  snap on the main gemstone  30  with the main gemstone&#39;s girdle being received by the grooved sections  21 . Remember, the prong members  20  were formed when the gemstone was in the wax mold. Since this is true, the prongs fit perfectly with the gemstone, thus the prongs have a strong hold on the gemstone.  
         [0038]     The casing  37 , the handles  34  and the prong members  20  may be fabricated from a precious, semiprecious or any other metal suitable for this particular setting.  
         [0039]     In the foregoing description of the invention, reference to the drawings, certain terms, have been used for clarity, conciseness and comprehension. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied from or because of the terms used, beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to e broadly construed. Furthermore, the description and illustration of the invention are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown, represented, or described.  
         [0040]     While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited but rather includes any and all changes and modifications thereto which would be apparent to those skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.