U.S. patent application number 13/975977 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-26 for decorative jewelry and methods of making same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas William Reid, II. Invention is credited to Thomas William Reid, II.
Application Number | 20150052946 13/975977 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52479152 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150052946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reid, II; Thomas William |
February 26, 2015 |
DECORATIVE JEWELRY AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
Abstract
An article of jewelry includes a stone having a viewing surface
and a back surface and epoxy. The stone preferably is transparent
or translucent in that it preferably internally and externally
reflects and refracts light. The epoxy preferably is provided on
the back surface of the stone, the color of which is preferably
viewable, including from the stone's front surface. The epoxy may
be colored, transparent, translucent or colorless. The design is
such that the epoxy surface and the viewing surface of the stone
are intended to be left at least partially exposed and viewable in
the final article of jewelry.
Inventors: |
Reid, II; Thomas William;
(Forest Hills, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reid, II; Thomas William |
Forest Hills |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52479152 |
Appl. No.: |
13/975977 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
63/26 ; 427/256;
427/287; 63/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 27/007 20130101;
A44C 17/008 20130101; A44C 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/26 ; 63/32;
427/256; 427/287 |
International
Class: |
A44C 27/00 20060101
A44C027/00; A44C 17/00 20060101 A44C017/00; A44C 17/02 20060101
A44C017/02 |
Claims
1. An article of jewelry comprising: a stone comprising a first
surface and a second surface, the stone at least partially
permitting passage of light; an epoxy having a color, the epoxy
provided on the second surface of the stone, wherein the color of
the epoxy provided on the second surface is viewable from the first
surface, and wherein the epoxy on the second surface is at least
partially exposed in a final form of the article of jewelry.
2. The article of jewelry of claim 1 further comprising a special
effect coating on the stone.
3. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the stone is a
crystal.
4. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the stone is a cut
glass.
5. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the article of jewelry
is freestanding.
6. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the stone is in an
open setting.
7. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the stone is in a cast
setting.
8. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the stone is
natural.
9. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the first surface is
substantially exposed in the article of jewelry's final form.
10. A method of forming an article of jewelry comprising the steps
of: providing a stone comprising a first major surface and a second
major surface, the stone allowing passage of light; applying an
epoxy having a color, the epoxy being applied on the second major
surface of the stone, wherein the color of the epoxy provided on
the back surface is viewable from the first major surface of the
stone, and having the first major surface of the stone and the
epoxy applied to the second major surface of the stone remain at
least partially exposed in a final form of the article.
11. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10,
further comprising the step of applying a special effect coating to
the stone's surface.
12. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10,
further comprising the step of placing the epoxy-covered stone in
an open setting.
13. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10,
further comprising the step of placing the epoxy-covered stone in a
cast setting.
14. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10,
wherein the first surface is substantially exposed in the article
of jewelry's final form.
15. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10
wherein the stone is a crystal.
16. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10
wherein the stone is a cut glass.
17. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10
wherein the article of jewelry is freestanding.
18. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10
wherein the stone is natural.
19. The method of forming the article of jewelry of claim 10,
wherein the stone comprises facets and the method further
comprising the step of applying a layer of the epoxy to the second
major surface of the stone such that the layer has a thickness
sufficient to provide an at least partially smooth outer surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to articles of jewelry and
methods of making articles of jewelry.
[0002] Jewelry and its manufacture continue to evolve. The desire
by jewelry makers to develop and their customers to wear new and
exciting jewelry is ongoing. Jewelry may be and has been
manufactured using various shapes, sizes and designs. At the
disposal of manufacturers is a vast selection of different
materials, including crystals, glass, opaque stones and metals, and
copolymers such as epoxy, which comprises a resin and a hardener or
curing agent.
[0003] In an effort to make interesting jewelry, some manufacturers
design jewelry that includes painting crystal with paint such as
acrylic. The design offers an interesting look, however, the paint
is not durable, and the jewelry may be more vulnerable to wear.
Others jewelry makers may incorporate the use of epoxy, but use it
typically as a form of glue, and typically to attach some form of
backing to protect the back of the jewelry piece and make the piece
more durable.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In a first embodiment, an article of jewelry includes a
stone having a first surface, typically the viewing surface, and an
opposing surface, typically a back surface. The stone preferably is
translucent or transparent in that it preferably internally and
externally reflects and refracts light. The article further
includes an epoxy provided on one surface, typically the opposing
surface, of the stone. The epoxy may have any of a variety of
visual qualities, such that it may be any applicable combination of
colored, opaque, transparent, translucent, tinted and/or colorless.
The epoxy surface is preferably left at least partially exposed
such that it may be viewable, and the viewing surface of the stone
is preferably left at least partially exposed so that viewing
surface of the stone is also viewable in the final article of
jewelry.
[0005] In another embodiment, an article of jewelry includes a
stone having a viewing surface and an opposing surface, where the
stone allows the passage, including via internal reflection and
refraction of light. The article of jewelry further includes an
epoxy having a color, the epoxy provided on the opposing surface of
the stone, wherein the color of the epoxy provided on the opposing
surface is viewable from the viewing surface of the stone, and
wherein the epoxy on the opposing surface has a sufficient
thickness and durability to be exposed to friction, wear and/or
general handling when adorned.
[0006] Another embodiment includes method of forming an article of
jewelry. The method preferably includes a first step of providing a
stone having a viewing surface and an opposing surface, the stone
allowing the passage of light therethrough. The method includes a
second step of applying an epoxy to the opposing surface of the
stone, wherein the epoxy is colored and at least partially exposed.
The epoxy may be opaque, pearlized, translucent, transparent or
tinted. The method also includes a step of being designed to allow
the viewing surface of the stone and the epoxy applied to the
opposing surface of the stone to remain at least partially exposed
in the final form of the article of jewelry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0007] Having thus described the article of jewelry and methods of
making jewelry in general terms, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1A depicts a view of a front side of an example of a
piece of decorative jewelry, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B depicts a view of a back side an example of a piece
of decorative jewelry, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 1C depicts a perspective view of an example of a piece
of decorative jewelry, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
and
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart in accordance with a preferred
method of making decorative jewelry as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] A form of decorative jewelry and method of making such
jewelry now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all
embodiments are shown. Indeed, the inventions may be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
requirements Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0013] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C depict front, back and side views
respectively of an example of a preferred embodiment of a piece of
decorative jewelry 100 as disclosed herein. As depicted in FIGS.
1A-1C, the decorative jewelry 100 preferably is comprised of a
stone 102, preferably in some form of cut glass or crystal, having
a front section or side 104, a back section or side 106 and,
optionally, a girdle 108. The reference to front and back sections
is purely for ease of reference to distinguish one side of the
jewelry piece from another. The front section or side generally
refers to a first major portion of the article that typically may
be the dominantly viewed surface or surfaces of the jewelry. The
back section or side generally refers to a second major portion of
the stone that typically may be the portion generally opposing the
dominantly viewed surface or surfaces of the stone and is the
portion generally selected to be at least partially covered with
epoxy as disclosed herein. Indeed, stones used may be such that the
two dominant portions are essentially identical in appearance. The
choice, however, of whether one portion or the other of the jewelry
is the front portion (or the back) is ultimately arbitrary, and is
in no way intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0014] The cut glass stone 102 may be clear, translucent, tinted or
opaque, and may include facets to provide for a sparkling visual
effect. Alternatively or in addition, one side may be dome-shaped,
flat, partially flat, pointed, smooth, partially smooth,
semi-smooth, and/or possess other forms of and any combination of
convex or concave features. The stone generally may have any shape,
including nugget or other free-form shapes. Preferably, the front
side 104 of the cut glass stone 102 is exposed or partially exposed
and not completely covered by any layer or layers of opaque
materials.
[0015] The stone may be natural or man-made with various cuttings
and shapings, and in a form suitable as jewelry of different types,
such as for earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, anklets,
necklaces, brooches, hairclips, etc. The stone, therefore, may be
in a form of any stone that can be used with or without a setting
such as a pendant, bead, sew-on, a cabochon, a cabochon chaton, a
pointed back, faceted flatback, two table doublet, or any other
type of stone which may possess none, one or more than one hole.
The stone may have any size suitable for use in jewelry of any
form.
[0016] While the stone 102 is preferably a form of cut crystal or
glass, it may also be a natural, semi-precious or precious stone,
such as a gemstone. The stone 102 may also be provided with AB
(referring to Aurora Borealis or Aurora Boreal) coating or other
finish, such as special effect vacuum platings to enhance
particular qualities of the stone. The AB coating may cover all or
any designated portion of the stone 102. The stone 102 is typically
clear but may also have an inherent color. The stone's inherent
color may be uniform or non-uniform and may include metallic,
reflective, colored or other visible streaks or particles within
the stone 102.
[0017] The decorative jewelry 100 also includes a wear-resistant
epoxy 110 preferably covering the back side 106 of the stone 102.
The epoxy may be, for example, the RBC brand such as is available
at Epoxy.com or other brands such as may be found at Epoxy etc. The
epoxy 110 may additionally cover the optional girdle 108 of the
stone 102 and further may optionally cover a limited portion of the
viewable front surface 104 of the stone 102.
[0018] The epoxy 110 preferably has a thickness sufficient to allow
the epoxy 110 to be left exposed in the jewelry's final form and
therefore should be highly resistant to wear or damage such as, for
example, when the jewelry 100 is in the form of a pendant and the
back side 106 of the jewelry 100 may be in frictional contact with
its wearer. That sufficient thickness typically given the
epoxy-covered side of the jewelry 100 may present a thicker, more
robust look than would typically be provided than if the jewelry
100 were colored with simple paint or lacquer. The thickness of the
epoxy 110 may nevertheless be varied to change the look of the
jewelry 100. A thicker layer of epoxy 110 will generally give the
epoxy-covered side of the article 100 a more smooth or semi-smooth
look and feel. Indeed, if the back side 106 of the stone 102 is
faceted, the epoxy 110 may be applied in a sufficient thickness to
smooth over the facets, such as is depicted in FIG. 1B. That look
may be a pleasing contrast to a faceted front side 104 of the
jewelry piece 100.
[0019] The epoxy 110 covering the stone 102 preferably has one or
more colors, and may possess any color or colors deemed decorative.
Indeed, the epoxy 110 covering the stone's surface may also be
multicolored. The use of multiple colors may or may not relate in
some fashion to the different surfaces of the stone 102. For
example, in the design, certain features of the stone's surface,
such as indentations or protrusions, may be emphasized using
different colors of epoxy than the surrounding surfaces. The epoxy
may also be colorless. The epoxy may also be opaque or pearlized so
as to have an emulsified and/or swirly appearance, or translucent.
A multicolored epoxy's appearance may be in the form of a mix of
epoxies of different colors to have partially blended looks where
the colors may meet and mix on some parts of the stone, to have
controlled looks where colors smoothly transition into each other,
and/or to have distinct or hard edges that separate one color from
another on the stone's surface, so as to create for example a
color-blocked look, or any combination or variation of the
foregoing. The colored epoxies may have a loose or lightly
brushed-on look or may be more densely applied. The epoxy's color
preferably is reflected and/or refracted through the stone 102 and
is viewable from the front side of the stone 102 giving the stone a
colorful appearance based on the color or colors of the epoxy at
its interface with the stone's surface.
[0020] In the jewelry product 102 as disclosed, the epoxy 110 is at
least in part viewable. For example, the jewelry piece may be a
free-standing pendant with a colored epoxy covering one side of the
stone 102. In this instance, the epoxy's color may be viewable
through the front surface of the jewelry or from directly viewing
the epoxy's outer surface. The jewelry piece may also be provided
in any setting where the epoxy is revealed, such as an open
setting, channel, basket, open back or partially open back, or
prong (such as for a ring), in addition to any cast setting, where
the epoxy is viewable through the jewelry's front surface or again
by directly viewing the epoxy's outer surface not covered by any
setting elements. In another embodiment, the colored epoxy-covered
surface of the stone is covered with a closed backing, such as a
backing that might be provided for a pendant. In this embodiment,
the colored epoxy on the stone's back surface is viewable via
reflection and refraction through the stone's front surface giving
the stone a colored appearance at least tinged by the color of the
epoxy 110 at its interface with the stone's back surface. Because
the epoxy gives a strong, durable adhesion to the stone as opposed
to paints and lacquers, the stone is less likely to separate from
the backing.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment, vacuum plating or another
finish is applied to the back of the stone 102, followed by a
colorless epoxy to protect the vacuum plating. In this embodiment,
the vacuum plating is preferably the source of the color that is
viewable through the front face of the stone.
[0022] A method 200 of manufacturing the decorative jewelry, an
example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1, is depicted in FIG. 2.
In a first step 202, the manufacturer provides a suitable base
material, preferably a stone of a suitable size to be adorned as
part of an earring, necklace, brooch, bracelet, ring, pin, pendant,
etc. The stone may be obtained from any suitable suppliers, dealers
or manufacturers of cut glass, crystal or other stones. Optionally,
an AB or other finish may be applied to the acquired stone. In a
second step 204, an epoxy is preferably applied to the stone's back
surface in accordance with the proper application of the specific
epoxy of choice, including the proper application of the resin and
the hardener. Optionally, the epoxy is applied to the side or
girdle of the provided stone, if applicable, and as a further
option to a portion of the front or viewing surface of the
stone.
[0023] The epoxy may be applied by painting, brushing, pouring,
needling, pneumatically dispensing or in any other way applying the
epoxy to the stone. For the application of multiple colors of
epoxy, various techniques may be used, including a wet-on-wet
approach, a layered approach which may produce harder edges of
color, laying different colors side-by-side, or a combination of
such techniques. If the epoxy is colorless and clear, then
alternatively, a precursor step to the application of the epoxy is
preferably the application of a color finish to the back and
optionally other surfaces of the stone. The colorless epoxy then
serves to protect the color finish. Alternatively or in addition to
the above, glitter, foil or other reflective and/or colored
particles may be mixed into the colorless or colored epoxy and then
applied to the surface of the stone. In yet another embodiment,
additional layers of epoxy may be applied after curing the first
layer or layers of epoxy. In yet another embodiment, epoxy may be
applied to the stone and the reflective particles applied to the
epoxy thereafter.
[0024] In a next step 206, the stone's front or viewing surface, or
optionally a substantial portion of that surface, is preferably
permitted to remain exposed or at least partially exposed and
viewable in the finished jewelry product. Preferably, the jewelry
may be freestanding, such as with a pendant, or in an open setting,
such as may be provided in a ring. In placing the epoxy-covered
stone in an open setting, the epoxy may be wet or already cured or
hardened. Keeping the viewing surface of the stone exposed may take
full advantage of stone's brilliance or other special effects. In a
next step 208, the hardened epoxy is allowed to remain exposed or
at least partially exposed and viewable in the finished jewelry
piece. The exposed but durable epoxy provides a unique appearance,
such as the smoothing over of the facets or edges on the back
surface of stone to give the epoxy a thick, robust look. With that,
the piece may or may not be inset into any other material or
backing, and may or may not be freestanding.
[0025] For the alternative embodiment where a backing is provided
on the epoxy-covered surface of the stone, the backing may be
applied by using the epoxy as both as the glue to affix the backing
to the stone and as the colorant for the stone when viewed from its
front surface. Alternatively, the epoxy may be applied, cured and
hardened before the backing is attached. In this case, an
additional step of gluing would be used to attach the backing to
the epoxy-covered surface of the stone to produce the final form of
the article of jewelry.
[0026] Many modifications and other embodiments of the articles of
jewelry and methods of making them set forth herein will come to
mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain
having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing
descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *