Patent Publication Number: US-11388962-B2

Title: Jewelry piece with a magnetic closure for an in interchangeable ornament

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/950,999, filed Dec. 20, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to jewelry, and more particularly to jewelry pieces that allow for removable and interchangeable ornaments. 
     Description of the Background 
     It is often desirable to be able to change or replace an ornament in a piece of jewelry. For example, a wearer may tire of a piece of jewelry that has only a single, unchangeable ornament, or the ornament in the jewelry piece may become damaged, rendering the entire jewelry piece unusable. In addition, the wearer may want the ability to coordinate jewelry with clothing or accessories without having to purchase multiple jewelry pieces. Further, jewelry is often expensive and the ability to have one jewelry piece with multiple ornaments is cost-effective. The ability to use an expensive ornament in more than one jewelry piece or setting is similarly cost-effective. 
     Jewelry pieces with replaceable ornaments are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,537, “Replaceable Gem Stone Setting for a Jewelry Piece,” discloses a jewelry piece in which the replaceable gem is held in place by “a plurality of radially extending convergent and cantilevered spring blades.” U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,359, “Jewelry Piece with a Changeable Decorative Article Setting,” discloses the use of “a pivoted spring element . . . having bendable segments” to secure the decorative article. U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,021, “Jewelry Article Having Magnetic Elements and Interchangeable Settings,” discloses “magnetically coupling body portions” where “at least one of the body portions is rotatable to tangentially break the magnetic coupling between the body portions to interchange the setting.” 
     Prior art mechanisms for securing the ornaments to or into the jewelry piece, however, may wear down over time. As a result, the ornament may be only loosely retained in the jewelry piece, and may tend to rattle, become misaligned, or even come out of the jewelry piece. The rattling may also damage the ornament. Prior art mechanisms that rely solely on magnets may not be reliable, in that the wearer&#39;s movements may cause the pieces that are coupled together by the magnets to separate, or the magnets may demagnetize. As a result, the ornament may be lost or damaged. 
     In addition, prior art mechanisms that secure the ornament may be difficult to use. In some cases, the user must open the securing mechanism by pushing or pulling on a very small tab or protrusion and pry the mechanism open. Since these tabs or protrusions are small, the user may try to open the mechanism with their fingernails, which may chip or break the fingernails. Also, if the user is struggling to open the mechanism, the user may lose their grip on the jewelry piece or the ornament, either of which may fall to the floor and get lost or damaged. Some mechanisms require an additional tool to open and/or close the securing mechanism, and those tools may be difficult to use and may get lost. In some cases, the securing mechanism may be bulky or not aesthetically appealing, which detracts from the attractiveness of the jewelry piece. 
     There is a need in the art for jewelry pieces in which the ornament may be quickly and easily changed and yet is firmly secured, does not rattle, and does not accidentally fall out or become dislodged. In addition, the jewelry piece should be particularly adapted to being held in a closed position while being worn to prevent accidental loss of the ornament. 
     Further, the jewelry piece should be easy to open and close, with a mechanism that is simple to operate and reliable, and does not require additional tools or excessive force. In addition, the securing mechanism should minimize exterior evidence of the interchangeability of the ornament. 
     There is also a need in the art for a collection of such jewelry pieces, such that multiple jewelry pieces, with matching or complementary, and interchangeable, ornaments may be worn at the same time. In addition, there is a need in the art for a collection of jewelry pieces where multiple pieces accept the same interchangeable ornaments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a jewelry piece or setting for an interchangeable ornament. 
     According to the present invention, a jewelry piece provides a body or housing, and a cover or back, that are coupled together. The body defines a cavity or recess for removably receiving an ornament. The body has a magnet and a bail mating section, and the cover has a magnet and a bail mating section. When the jewelry piece is in a closed or locked position, the body magnet and the cover magnet magnetically engage, the body bail mating section and the cover bail mating section mechanically engage, and a bail is formed. The jewelry piece is in an open or unlocked position when the body magnet and the cover magnet magnetically disengage and the body bail mating section and the cover bail mating section mechanically disengage. The body bail mating section includes two elements that are substantially parallel to each other, and they define a space between them that accommodates the cover bail mating section when the jewelry piece is in the closed position. 
     In an embodiment, a jewelry piece for an ornament provides a housing that includes a housing bail mating section. The housing also defines a cavity for receiving the ornament, and the housing is open at opposing ends with an open top end that abuts an upper portion of the ornament. When the ornament is received in the housing, a crown of the ornament is displayed in the open top of the housing. The jewelry piece also provides a cover. The cover includes a cover bail mating section, and the cover is coupled to an open bottom end of the housing. The cover is moveable to a closed position where it overlies at least a portion of the bottom end of the housing. When the cover is in the closed position, the housing bail mating section and the cover bail mating section interlock to form a bail, and the ornament is held in abutment against the housing top end. 
     In an aspect, the housing bail mating section includes a first housing bail mating element and a second housing bail mating element. The first housing bail mating element and the second housing bail mating element together define a space that is sized and shaped to accommodate the cover bail mating section when the cover is in the closed position. In another aspect, the first housing bail mating element, the second housing bail mating element, and the cover bail mating section each define an opening. When the cover is in the closed position, the three openings (the first housing bail mating element opening, the second housing bail mating element opening, and the cover bail mating section opening) align and together form an opening in the bail. 
     In an additional aspect, the housing bail mating section includes a first housing bail mating element and a second housing bail mating element. The bail is formed when the cover is in the closed position and the cover bail mating section is inserted into a space between the first housing bail mating element and the second housing bail mating. In another aspect, the first housing bail mating element, the second housing bail mating element, and the cover bail mating section each define an opening. When the cover is in the closed position, the three openings (the first housing bail mating element opening, the second housing bail mating element opening, and the cover bail mating section opening) align and together form an opening in the bail. 
     In an aspect, the jewelry piece also includes a magnetic closure having at least one magnet. In another aspect, the magnetic closure is located proximate to the bail. 
     In an additional aspect, the jewelry piece housing includes a housing magnet and the jewelry piece cover includes a cover magnet. When the cover is in the closed position, the housing magnet and the cover magnet are magnetically coupled. In another aspect, the housing magnet is located proximate the housing bail mating section, and the cover magnet is located proximate the cover bail mating section. 
     In an aspect, the cavity of the housing is sized and shaped to substantially conform to the size and the shape of the ornament. 
     In another aspect, the cover is open at opposing ends, with an open top end having a portion that abuts a lower portion of the ornament. When the ornament is received in the housing, a portion of the ornament is displayed in an open bottom end of the cover. 
     In an aspect, the housing and the cover are substantially annular, and the circumference of the bottom end of the housing is greater than the circumference of the cover. In another aspect, the housing is coupled to the cover by a hinge, and the length of the hinge is less than the length of the housing and the width of the hinge is less than the width of the housing. 
     In another aspect, when the cover is in the closed position, a portion of the cover abuts a lower portion of the ornament. In another aspect, the jewelry piece includes a support member that is substantially contained in a channel defined in the cover. When the cover is in the closed position, a portion of the support member abuts a lower portion of the ornament. 
     In another embodiment, a setting for an ornament provides a body that defines a void for removably receiving the ornament. The body also includes a body coupling member, an open top, a bottom, and a perimeter wall connecting the top and the bottom. The setting also provides a back that is connected by a hinge to the body. The back includes a back coupling member. The body coupling member includes a first body coupling element and a second body coupling element, and the first body coupling element, the second body coupling element, and the back coupling member each define an opening. When the setting is in the locked position, the body coupling member and the back coupling member engage to form a bail, and the three openings (the first body coupling element opening, the second body coupling element opening, and the back coupling member opening) are positioned so as to form an opening in the bail. The setting is moveable to an unlocked position when the body coupling member and the back coupling member disengage. A portion of the ornament is visible through the open top of the body when the ornament is received in the body, and the setting is in the locked position. 
     In an aspect, the back coupling member is positioned in a space between the first body coupling element and the second body coupling element to form the bail when the setting is in the locked position. 
     In another aspect, the setting also provides a magnetic closure having at least one magnet, where the magnetic closure is located proximate the bail. 
     In yet another aspect, the body also includes a body magnet located proximate the body coupling member, and the back also includes a back magnet proximate the back coupling member. When the setting is in the locked position, the body magnet and the back magnet are magnetically coupled. 
     In an additional embodiment, a jewelry piece for an ornament provides a housing that includes a housing magnet and a housing bail mating section. The housing defines a cavity for receiving the ornament, and the housing is open at opposing ends with an open top end having a portion that abuts an upper portion of the ornament. When the ornament is received in the housing, a crown of the ornament is displayed in the open top of the housing. The jewelry piece also provides a cover that includes a cover magnet and a cover bail mating section. The cover is coupled to an open bottom end of the housing and is moveable to a closed position overlying at least a portion of the bottom end of the housing. The housing bail mating section includes a first housing bail mating element and a second housing bail mating element. When the cover is in the closed position, the cover bail mating section is positioned in a space between the first housing bail mating element and the second housing bail mating element to form a bail, and the ornament is held in abutment against the housing top end when the cover bail mating section. 
     Although the present invention is described and illustrated herein as being implemented with a pendant, the embodiments described herein are provided as examples and are not limitations. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention may be applied with a variety of different types of jewelry pieces and with different types of ornaments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece for an interchangeable ornament in a closed position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 1 , with the addition of an exemplary ornament; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the exemplary ornament of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the jewelry piece for an interchangeable ornament of  FIG. 1  in a partially open position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a back view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the jewelry piece for an interchangeable ornament of  FIG. 1  in a fully open position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a back view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece for an interchangeable ornament in a closed position, in accordance with a first additional embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a back view of the jewelry piece of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece, shown as a pendant, for an interchangeable ornament, in accordance with a second additional embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece, shown as a pendant, for an interchangeable ornament, in accordance with a third additional embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece, shown as a necklace, for an interchangeable ornament, in accordance with a fourth additional embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece, shown as a bracelet, for an interchangeable ornament, in accordance with a fifth additional embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a jewelry piece, shown as earrings, for an interchangeable ornament, in accordance with a sixth additional embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-16 , in a preferred embodiment, jewelry piece  100 , shown as a substantially round pendant, comprises two sections: a body or housing  200  and a cover or back  300 . The body  200  is coupled to the cover  300  by a hinge  400 , enabling jewelry piece  100  to open and close with limited rotational movement. 
     Note that the jewelry piece of the invention is not limited to a pendant. In additional embodiments, the jewelry piece  100  may include, but is not limited to, a necklace, bracelet, earrings, brooch, pin, or watch. Note also that the jewelry piece  100  is not limited to a round shape. In additional embodiments, the jewelry piece  100  may be substantially any shape, and is not limited by the shape of the ornament  500 . 
     In preferred embodiments, jewelry piece  100  is primarily composed of formable precious metals, such as gold or silver. In additional embodiments, jewelry piece  100  may be formed of other precious metals including but not limited to platinum; base metals, including but not limited to copper, tin, or zinc; stainless steel; metal alloys; plastics; bone, wood, stone, or other non-precious metals. Jewelry piece  100  is preferably manufactured by casting, but may also be manufactured by machining, soldering, die striking or a combination thereof, or may be formed by hand, or any other suitable method of manufacturing or production. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-16 , the jewelry piece body  200  is substantially annular and comprises a top surface  210 , a bottom surface  220 , and a contiguous sidewall  230  that connects the top surface  210  to the bottom surface  220 . The body  200  further defines an internal space or cavity  240  for removably receiving an ornament  500 . Body cavity  240  is preferably adapted and configured to conform to the shape of the ornament  500 , and thus firmly secure the ornament  500  and prevent it from rattling in the cavity  240  when the jewelry piece  100  is closed, as further described below. In additional embodiments, jewelry piece body  200  and body cavity  240  may be substantially any suitable shape or size. 
     In a preferred embodiment, ornament  500  is a gem stone. In additional embodiments, the ornament  500  may include, but is not limited to, a precious stone, semi-precious stone, imitation stone, coin, and other small token. Note also that the shape of the ornament  500  may be substantially any shape, including but not limited to marquis, round, trillion, oval, pear or tear drop, square, octagon, emerald, baguette, antique cushion, heart-shape, briolette cabochon, faceted, and princess cut. In addition, the ornament  500  may be substantially any material, including not limited to diamond, ruby, sapphire, or any other precious or semi-precious jewelry stone, glass, crystal, pearl, mother-of-pearl, man-made stones, simulated stones, and laboratory-created stones. There are no restrictions on the size of the ornament  500 . In the example jewelry piece  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-16 , a substantially round pendant, the diameter of ornament  500  is preferably 10 or 12 millimeters. 
     In a preferred embodiment, and with further reference to  FIG. 2 , the top surface  210  of the body  200  defines a first opening  212  and a rim  214  that extends substantially circumferentially around the first opening  212 . With further reference to  FIG. 14 , the bottom surface  220  of the body  200  defines a second opening  222 . The ornament  500  is inserted into the body cavity  240  through the second opening  222  in the bottom surface  220 , such that the top or crown  510  of the ornament  500  abuts and may be viewed through the first opening  212  in the top surface  210 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The rim  214  of the top surface  210  contacts with at least a portion of the top or crown  510  of the ornament  500 , and is adapted and configured to prevent the ornament  500  from falling out of the body cavity  240  through the first opening  212  in the top surface  210 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the top surface  210  of the body  200  defines a groove or channel  216  that extends substantially circumferentially around the rim  214 . Channel  216  may be used to hold any type of decorative object, including but not limited to a chain  600  or small stones (not shown). 
     In an alternate embodiment, the channel may be empty. With reference to  FIGS. 17-19 , jewelry piece  1100  is substantially similar to jewelry piece  100 , and comprises a body or housing  1200  and a cover or back  1300 , which are coupled together by a hinge  1400 . Both jewelry pieces  100  and  1100  accept an ornament  500  and  1500 , respectively. The two jewelry pieces  100  and  1100  differ only in their respective body top surfaces,  210  and  1210 , respectively. In jewelry piece  1100 , the grove or channel  1216  is empty, and does not contain any decorative objects. 
     In an additional, alternate embodiment, the jewelry piece may not comprise a channel. With reference to  FIG. 20 , jewelry piece  2100  is substantially similar to jewelry piece  100 , and comprises a body or housing  2200  and a cover or back  2300 , which are coupled together by a hinge  2400 . Both jewelry pieces  100  and  2100  accept an ornament  500  and  2500 , respectively. The two jewelry pieces  100  and  2100  differ only in their respective body top surfaces,  210  and  2210 , respectively. In jewelry piece  2100 , the top surface  2210  does not comprise a channel, but instead defines an uninterrupted planar surface. 
     In all of these embodiments, the body top surfaces  210 ,  1210  and  2210  may optionally comprise other decorative treatments, including but not limited to etching or embossing, or adding decorative chains or stones. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 3, and 8-16 , the cover  300  is substantially annular and comprises a top surface  310 , a bottom surface  320 , a contiguous sidewall  330  connecting the top surface  310  and the bottom surface  320 , and a lip  340 . The lip  340  is substantially perpendicular to the sidewall  330  and is adapted and configured to contact the bottom surface  220  of the body  200  when the jewelry piece  100  is closed. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , cover  300  is preferably adapted and configured such that it is not visible when the jewelry piece  100  is viewed from the front or the side, to minimize exterior evidence of the interchangeability of the ornament  500 . In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , cover bottom surface  320  has a circumference that is smaller than the circumference of body bottom surface  220 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the top surface  310  of the cover  300  defines a first opening  312 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bottom surface  320  of the cover  300  defines a second opening  322 . The first opening  312  and the second opening  322  are adapted and configured to allow light to enter the body cavity  240 . If the ornament  500  is sufficiently translucent, openings  312  and  322  are adapted and configured to allow light to pass through the ornament. 
     In alternate embodiments, the first opening  312  and the second opening  322 , both in the cover  300 , may be eliminated, and both the cover top surface  310  and the cover bottom surface  320  may be continuous planar surfaces. This alternate embodiment may be used, for example, when the ornament  500  is not sufficiently translucent to allow light to pass. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the cover  300  further defines a groove or channel  350  that extends substantially circumferentially around the first opening  312  of the top surface  310 . With further reference to  FIG. 8 , a support member  360  substantially fills the channel  350  and protrudes slightly above the horizontal plane of top surface  310 . Support member  360  is adapted and configured to contact the bottom  520  of the ornament  500  when jewelry piece  100  is closed, and pushes the ornament  500  against the top surface rim  214  to secure the ornament  500  in the body cavity  240 . Support member  360  is preferably made of silicone, to prevent scratching or otherwise damaging the ornament  500  and clear silicone is preferred for aesthetic reasons. In alternate embodiments, support member  360  may be made of any compressible material that functions to hold the ornament  500  in place, such as rubber. 
     Jewelry piece  100  comprises a magnetic closure that is adapted and configured to secure the ornament  500  in place when the jewelry piece  100  is closed. With further reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the body  200  and the cover  300  each define a small cavity  218  and  318 , respectively, each adapted to hold a magnet,  219  and  319 , respectively, of opposite polarity and of substantially the same size and shape as the cavity. The magnets  219  and  319  are preferably permanently affixed, and not removable by the wearer of the jewelry piece  100 . The two magnets  219  and  319  are located substantially directly opposite each other when the jewelry piece  100  is closed, preferably proximate the top of the jewelry piece  100 . Cavities  218  and  318 , and magnets  219  and  219 , are not limited to a round shape, and may be substantially any shape. 
     When the cover  300  is closed against the body  200 , the two magnets  219  and  319  engage and, by magnetic coupling, are adapted and configured to keep the jewelry piece  100  closed. The jewelry piece  100  is opened by pulling the cover  300  away from the body  200 , thus releasing the magnets  219  and  319  from each other. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the magnets  219  and  319  are covered or encased to prevent rust and erosion. For example, the magnets  219  and  319  may be covered with nickel, copper, gold, silver, zinc, stainless steel, any other suitable metal, or a combination of these. In an alternate embodiment, there may be only one magnet, and the opposing cavity may contain a metal element that is attracted to a magnet, such as any metal that contains iron, cobalt, or nickel. 
     Note that the magnets  219  and  319  may be a ferrite magnet, an alnico magnet, a rare-earth neodymium magnet, a rare earth-samarium cobalt magnet, or a sintered neodymium-iron-boron compound, or other suitable magnets. The magnets  219  and  319  are preferably rare-earth neodymium magnets, which provide substantially powerful magnetic fields relative to their size. 
     The required dimensions and magnetic force for the magnets  219  and  319  depend on a number of variables, including the dimensions and weights of the jewelry piece and the pre-determined force necessary to uncouple the magnets by using only the user&#39;s fingers, and without the use of an additional tool. Determining the required dimensions and magnetic force for the magnets based on such variables falls within the ability of one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1-6, 8-16, and 21 , jewelry piece  100  further comprises a bail  700 , preferably located proximate the top of the jewelry piece  100  and longitudinally opposite the hinge  400 . 
     Bail  700  comprises a body mating section  720  and a cover mating section  730 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 8, 16 and 21 , when the jewelry piece  100  is closed, the body mating section  720  and the cover mating section  730  mechanically engage to form bail  700  and define an opening  710  that is adapted and configured to allow a chain or cord  800  to be inserted, to form a pendant necklace  3000 . The jewelry piece may be opened, and the ornament replaced, only if the chain or cord  800  has been removed from the opening  710 . Jewelry piece  100  may be opened by pulling back on the bail cover mating element  731 , described below, while holding the jewelry piece body  200 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 22 , jewelry piece  100  may be used with a chain, cord, or string of beads or other decorative elements  810 , all of which may be comprised of any suitable material, to form a necklace  3100 . In this embodiment, a clasp  820 , such as a lobster clasp, toggle clasp, or spring ring clasp, may be used to removably couple chain or cord  810  to bail  700 . The jewelry piece may be opened, and the ornament replaced, only when the clasp  820  is decoupled from the bail  700 . The distal end of the jewelry piece may include a second bail  830  that is permanently affixed to the opposing end of the chain  810 . This second bail  830  does not open. In a similar, additional embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 23 , a short chain or cord  840  may be used with jewelry piece  100 , clasp  820 , or any other suitable materials, and second bail  830  to form a bracelet  3200 . As with the pendant necklace  3100  shown in  FIG. 22 , the second bail  830  of bracelet  3200  does not open. 
     In an additional embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 24 , jewelry piece  100  may be used with a clip  840  to form earrings  3300 . In this embodiment, any suitable securing mechanism, including but not limited to a clip or clasp  840 , may be used to removably couple bail  700  from an earring mechanism  850 . The jewelry piece may be opened, and the ornament replaced, only when the clip  840  is decoupled form the bail  700 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , cover mating section  730  is preferably integral to the cover  300  and comprises a single mating element  731 . Cover mating section  730  also defines an opening  733 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11-16 , body mating section  720  is preferably integral to the body  200 , and comprises two substantially identical mating elements  721   a  and  721   b . Body mating elements  721   a  and  721   b  each define an opening  723   a  and  723   b , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, mating elements  721   a  and  721   b  are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, such that openings  723   a  and  723   b  are in alignment 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mating elements  721   a ,  721   b , and  731  are loops or rings having a substantially oval or circular shape. In alternate embodiments, mating elements  721   a ,  721   b , and  733  may have any substantially contiguous shape. In a preferred embodiment, openings  723   a ,  723   b , and  733  define a substantially oval or circular shape. In alternate embodiments, openings  723   a ,  723   b , and  733  may define any substantially contiguous shape. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12-15 , the space or opening between the body mating elements  721   a  and  721   b  is sized and shaped to accommodate the cover mating element  731 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the jewelry piece  100  is closed, the cover mating element  731  is inserted into the space or opening between the body mating elements  721   a  and  721   b , thus interlocking to form bail  700 . Further, when the jewelry piece  100  is closed, openings  723   a ,  723   b , and  733  together form bail opening  710 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , bail opening  710  is adapted and configured to allow a chain or cord  800  to be inserted through it. 
     The combination of the magnets  219  and  319 , and the bail  700 , are adapted and configured to provide two levels of security for jewelry piece  100 , to prevent jewelry piece  100  from opening and thus prevent the ornament  500  from falling out. 
     Hinge  400  is preferably a barrel hinge. In alternate embodiments, hinge  400  may be a spring hinge, cylindrical hinge, or any other suitable hinge or closure that allows jewelry piece  100  to open and close. With reference to  FIG. 2 , hinge  400  is adapted and configured to minimize exterior evidence of the interchangeability of the ornament  500 , and is not visible from the front of the jewelry piece  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when coupled to both the cover bottom surface  320  and the body bottom surface  220 , the length and width of hinge  400  do not exceed the circumference of body bottom surface  220 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 21-24 , and in another embodiment, the jewelry pieces of the invention may be part of a collection of jewelry pieces adapted and configured to accept the same interchangeable ornament. For example, necklace  3100  and bracelet  3200  may accept the same size and shape ornament, or set of ornaments of different materials or colors. Further, two or more of the jewelry pieces in a collection may be worn at the same time, with each jewelry piece having a matching ornament, or with the jewelry pieces having coordinating or complementary ornaments. For example, pendant necklace  3000  may be worn together with earrings  3300 , with pendant necklace  3000  having a diamond ornament and earrings  3300  having coordinating ruby ornaments, or with both pendant necklace  3000  and earrings  3300  having matching sapphire ornaments. Note that all of these embodiments may include additional adornments, including but not limited to etching, embossing, tassels, chains, and decorative stones or beads. 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.