Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, comprising two faceted stones of different colors, one placed on top of the other, to produce a distinctly new faceted color combination. Unique color combinations are thus achieved based on the particular stones that are used.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 11/439,910, filed on May 24, 2006, which in turn is based on and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/687,113 filed Jun. 3, 2005 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets and the like typically comprise metals such as gold, silver, platinum or various combinations thereof, and faceted precious or semiprecious stones that are mounted into one or more settings within a given piece of jewelry. In the context of jewelry having a plurality of stones, the stones are mounted beside one another in a generally linear or somewhat offset linear formation (i.e., one stone is slightly raised relative to other stones beside it) such that at least the top portion of all of the stones are clearly visible when viewing the particular piece of jewelry. In these conventional forms of jewelry, when a ruby, for example, is mounted in a particular location, the color perceived at that location will be red; with a sapphire, the color perceived will be blue; with an amethyst the color will be purple; with a yellow topaz the color perceived will be yellow and so on and so forth. While a particular color given off by any one stone may be aesthetically pleasing for a period of time, it is of course strictly limited to the specific stone used in the setting of the jewelry. In particular, for a faceted one-stone ring or other piece of jewelry, this may lead to monotony and dullness and ultimately cause a user to cease wearing that piece of jewelry.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a piece of jewelry, such as a ring, comprising two faceted stones of different colors, one placed on top of the other, to produce a distinctly new faceted color combination. The unique color combinations are reflected in the particular stones that are used. For example, a ring may combine a Peridot stone, which is predominantly green in color, with a Blue Topaz, wherein the green of the Peridot and the blue of the Blue Topaz transmit through one another bringing about a color combination of greenish-blue that is different from each stone individually. These color combinations are the product of positioning one stone on top of the other in a setting.  
         [0004]     In a preferred form, one stone is adhered to the second stone by means of an optical cement.  
         [0005]     In a preferred embodiment, the inventive jewelry item has a setting comprising a four-post “basket” for holding a bottom stone of a first color in place. The basket permits substantial viewing of the bottom stone on all four of its sides as well as through the bottom of the basket, which may be exposed as well. At the top of the basket, there is provided a circular shoulder or band for holding the top stone of a different color in place above the bottom stone. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the setting permits substantial viewing of both the top and bottom stones when the stones are properly positioned.  
         [0006]     In addition, one embodiment also utilizes stones of the same or similar “cut,” wherein the facets of each stone are of the same or similar overall configuration. After both stones are properly set, a user looking directly downward through the top stone into the bottom stone may also see a “kaleidoscope” type effect as the ring is rotated.  
         [0007]     Different color and stone combinations include Peridot with Blue Topaz (as discussed above), Amethyst with Light Blue Topaz, Citrin with Dark Blue Topaz, etc. may be used. Certainly, other complimenting colored stones may be used in practicing the invention as well. Of course, different metals or combinations thereof may be used in the construction of the setting as well.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors with one stone placed on top of the other.  
         [0010]     An additional object of the invention is to provide to faceted stones of different colors that are mounted to one another by means of an optical cement.  
         [0011]     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an item of jewelry having at least two faceted stones of different colors and which permits substantial viewing of both stones.  
         [0012]     Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ring assembly made in accordance with the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of two faceted stones of different colors to be used in the ring assembly showing  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a pendant assembly made in accordance with the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is rear elevational view of the pendant assembly depicted in  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a necklace assembly made in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0023]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , a ring assembly made in accordance with the invention and generally indicated at  11  is now described. Ring assembly  11  includes a band  13  and a setting generally indicated at  15  in which a top faceted stone  27  and a bottom faceted stone  31 , each of a different color than the other, are mounted one on top of the other, preferably by means of the use of an optical cement, which is applied substantially evenly to the areas along stones  27  and  31  where the two stones are in contact.  
         [0024]     An optical cement is a permanent and transparent (translucent) adhesive that is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. Canada balsam is a common optical cement, although an optical cement to be used in the inventive assembly may also be selected from methacrylates, caprinates and epoxies.  
         [0025]     In general, optical cements are synthetic polymer adhesives and, in accordance with the invention, may either be a two-component system that is mixed in order to cure (either at room temperature utilizing a curing oven, or with a UV application), or a one-component system (which cures either instantly, at room temperature over time or by UV application). In the inventive structure, the two stones are mounted together in a vice or similar unit in order to hold them together in fixed position for enabling the cement to cure, as well as for keeping the cement free of bubble accumulation.  
         [0026]     Setting  15  may be constructed of precious or semi-precious metals (for example—gold, silver, platinum) and defines a basket  17  comprising a shoulder or band  21 , a base  23  and a series of posts  19  connected between shoulder  21  and base  23 . Together, shoulder  21 , base  23  and connecting posts  19  define a series of side openings or windows  22 ; base  23  itself defines a bottom window  24 .  
         [0027]     Top stone  27  includes a tapered surface  29  that leads to a base portion  35 , while bottom stone  31  has a hemispherical surface  33  that leads to a base  37 . In assembly, base portion  35  of top stone  27  and base portion  37  of bottom stone  31  are disposed in an abutting relationship such that shoulder or band  21  wraps around and otherwise hides the interface between top stone  27  and bottom stone  31 . In one form, the two stones are held in position within setting  15  by a series of prongs  25  that depend from shoulder  21 .  
         [0028]     As can be appreciated, basket  17  of setting  15  permits substantial viewing of surface  33  of bottom stone  31 , both from four different side directions through windows  22 , as well as from underneath through window  24 . Surface  29  of top stone  27  is fully visible when ring assembly  11  is viewed from the top.  
         [0029]     Significantly, the cut of top stone  27  and bottom stone  31  are substantially the same. Thus, once top stone  27  and bottom stone  31  are appropriately mounted in setting  15 , a user looking directly down through top stone  27  and into bottom stone  31  will see a “kaleidoscope” effect, especially as ring assembly  11  is rotated.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , a pendant assembly made in accordance with the invention and generally indicated at  111  is shown. The pendant assembly includes a setting  115  defined by a circular shoulder or band in which two faceted stones  127  and  131  of different colors, placed one on top of the other are mounted therewithin. As before, a circular shoulder or band  121  hides the interface between top stone  127  and bottom stone  131 . Shoulder  121  has a pivoting loop  113  depending therefrom for use in supporting pendant assembly  111  on a jewelry chain.  
         [0031]     In order to secure stones  127  and  131  in position within setting  115 , a first series of prongs  125  extend upwardly from shoulder  121  in order to grab top stone  127  and a second series of prongs  125   1  extend downwardly from shoulder  121  for grabbing bottom stone  131 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates the incorporation of multiple units of the inventive design in a necklace  211 . Necklace  211  incorporates a plurality of multi-stone units  213  interconnected by different length metal loop elements. Each multi-stone unit  213  is similar in design to the pendant assembly depicted in  FIGS. 5-7 , and includes a setting defined by a shoulder or band  221  in which one faceted stone  227  of a first color and a second faceted stone (not visible) of a second color are placed one on top of the other. The stones are held in place via prongs  225 , as described before.  
         [0033]     It will thus be seen that the object set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are attained by the design of the inventive jewelry item.  
         [0034]     The scope of the invention will now be defined in the claims.