U.S. patent application number 15/002644 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for geode style pearl and method of production.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hisano Shepherd. Invention is credited to Hisano Shepherd.
Application Number | 20190014873 15/002644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64999939 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190014873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shepherd; Hisano |
January 17, 2019 |
GEODE STYLE PEARL AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION
Abstract
A geode style pearl for use as a decorative part of a jewelry
item or on its own. The geode style pearl includes a pearl member
having a pearl body formed from a conventional pearl and which has
an exterior surface as well as an exposed interior surface, with
the interior surface having decorative items such as gemstones or
smaller pearl integrated thereon. The inclusion of such decorative
items on the interior surface, which may include or embody a
cavity, gives the pearl member a geode like appearance of a rock
containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter.
When used as a part of a jewelry item, a jewelry assembly is
additionally attached to the pearl member so as to render it
wearable.
Inventors: |
Shepherd; Hisano; (Marina
del Rey, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shepherd; Hisano |
Marina del Rey |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64999939 |
Appl. No.: |
15/002644 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 7/00 20130101; A44C
17/006 20130101; A44C 25/001 20130101; A44C 17/007 20130101; A44C
27/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44C 17/00 20060101
A44C017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for producing a geode style pearl having an appearance
of a rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral
matter, comprising the steps of: providing a target pearl having an
exposed exterior surface, wherein the target pearl defines a
conventional pearl; producing a sliced pearl part from the target
pearl so as to expose an interior surface of the target pearl;
preparing a pearl cavity in the interior surface of the sliced
pearl part; and integrating decorative items with the interior
surface of the sliced pearl part.
2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of
preparing the sliced pearl part for jewelry use.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of preparing the sliced
pearl part for jewelry use includes forming at least one hole in
the sliced pearl part and attaching at least one finding to the at
least one hole.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of producing a sliced
pearl part includes slicing the target pearl along an intersection
plane.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of producing a sliced
pearl part includes slicing the target pearl along a bisecting
plane.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of preparing a pearl
cavity includes boring a hole into the interior surface, sanding
the interior surface, and polishing the interior surface.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the target pearl defines a
souffle pearl and the step of preparing a pearl cavity includes
removing material in an inherent cavity.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of integrating
decorative items includes applying an adhesive on the interior
surface, placing at least one decorative item on the applied
adhesive, and providing for the curing of the adhesive.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of integrating
decorative items defines permanently attaching at least one of a
gemstone and a pearl to the interior surface.
10. A method for producing a geode style pearl having an appearance
of a rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other mineral
matter, comprising the steps of: providing a target pearl having an
exposed exterior surface, wherein the target pearl defines a
conventional pearl; producing a bored pearl from the target pearl,
thereby exposing an interior surface of the target pearl; preparing
the exposed interior surface of the bored pearl; and integrating
decorative items into the interior surface of the bored pearl.
11. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising the step of
preparing the bored pearl for jewelry use.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of preparing the bored
pearl for jewelry use includes forming at least one hole in the
bored pearl and attaching at least one finding to the at least one
hole.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of producing a bored
pearl includes boring a cavity into the exterior surface.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the target pearl defines a
souffle pearl; and the step of producing a bored pearl includes
boring a cavity into the exterior surface such that the cavity
becomes contiguous with an inherent cavity in the target pearl and
removing material disposed in the inherent cavity.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of preparing the
exposed interior surface includes sanding the interior surface and
polishing the interior surface.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating
decorative items includes applying an adhesive on the interior
surface, placing at least one decorative item on the applied
adhesive, and providing for the curing of the adhesive.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of integrating
decorative items defines permanently attaching at least one of a
gemstone and a pearl to the interior surface.
18. A geode style pearl, comprising: a pearl member having a pearl
body formed from a conventional pearl, wherein said pearl body
includes an exterior surface and a cavity; and at least two
decorative items permanently attached in the cavity, wherein said
cavity defines an opening section which has been created in the
exterior surface after the growth of the pearl and before at least
two decorative items are attached in the cavity.
19. The geode style pearl of claim 18, wherein: said pearl body is
formed from a conventional pearl which has divided along an
intersecting plane, thereby revealing an interior surface along the
plane; and said cavity defines a hollowed section sized to
substantially define the interior surface.
20. The geode style pearl of claim 18, wherein the cavity is
adapted to extend through at least two external surfaces of the
pearl such that it is possible to see all the way through the
pearl, wherein the at least two decorative items are attached to
the internal surface of the cavity.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0001] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl
earring built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0002] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a geode style pearl
earring built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0003] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl
pendant built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0004] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a geode style pearl as
the center gemstone of a ring built in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 5 shows the process through which a geode style pearl
is produced in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 6 shows the process through which a geode style pearl
is produced in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a geode style pearl
pendant built in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and
2, a geode style pearl earring 100 is shown having a pearl member
110 in accordance with a first embodiment and an earring jewelry
assembly 120. The pearl member 110 has a pearl body 111 which is
formed from a part of a conventional pearl having an exterior
surface and which has been divided to expose an interior surface.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the first embodiment, the pearl
body 111 is formed from a conventional pearl which has divided
along a plane which bisects the conventional pearl. It is
appreciated, however, that the pearl body 111 may be formed from a
conventional pearl which has divided along a plane which intersects
the conventional pearl in another manner.
[0009] It is contemplated that the conventional pearl from which
the pearl body 111 is formed may define a wild or a cultured
pearl.
[0010] The exposed interior of the pearl body 111 includes a
hollowed section 112 in which discrete decorative items 113 have
been integrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of the
hollowed section defines a rim. The decorative items 113 typically
define a single or plurality of discrete gemstones, pearls, or some
combination thereof (or portions of the same). In the preferred
embodiment, the decorative items 113 are integrated into the
hollowed section 112 through a two part resin which adheres the
decorative items 113 in a surface of the hollowed section 112. It
is contemplated, however, that in other embodiments, other
conventional adhesives may be employed. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the
decorative items 113 define a plurality of one or more of gemstones
and precious stones.
[0011] It is contemplated that hollowed section 112 may define
either a crafted cavity which has been bored into or otherwise
created on the interior surface of the pearl body 111 or an
inherent cavity in a pearl which has been grown with a hollow
interior (commonly referred to as a souffle pearl). In the
illustrated embodiment, the hollowed section 112 defines a crafted
cavity which is sized to substantially define the interior
surface.
[0012] It is understood that in various embodiments, various styles
of cultured pearls may be employed, including without limitation
Tahitian, south sea, freshwater, saltwater pearls, and any other
suitable method for pearl growth.
[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the earring jewelry
assembly 120, which defines a finding 121 and an earring hook 122,
is permanently attached the pearl member 110 by way of the finding
121 being mounted into a hole drilled into the exterior surface of
the pearl body 111. It is appreciated, however, that the pearl
member 110 may be availed with other styles of conventional
findings and jewelry components when used to create other styles of
jewelry, or may be availed without any attached findings and
jewelry components.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 3, a geode style pearl pendant 200 is
shown having a pearl member 210 in accordance with a second
embodiment and an pendant jewelry assembly 220. Similar to the
pearl member of the first embodiment, the pearl member 210 has a
pearl body 211 which is formed from a conventional pearl having an
exterior surface. In the Second embodiment, however, the pearl body
211 includes an opening section 212, defining at least a cavity
which has been bored in the exterior surface of the pearl body 211.
It is through the opening section 212 that an interior surface of
the pearl body 211 is exposed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the
opening section 212 is fashioned as an elongated cavity which is
positioned on the left side of pearl body 211. It is appreciated,
however, that the opening section 212 may be fashioned in any shape
and positioned in one of a variety of positions on the pearl body
211 for a desired decorative effect.
[0015] As with the first embodiment, the conventional pearl from
which the pearl body 211 is formed may define a wild or a cultured
pearl. Moreover, it is contemplated that if a souffle pearl defines
the pearl body 211, the opening section 212 is may be formed to
reveal the hollow interior section (namely, the inherent cavity
therein), in whole or in part, of the souffle pearl.
[0016] Integrated in the opening section 212 are discrete
decorative items 213. As with the first embodiment, the decorative
items 213 may define gemstones and/or pearls, and are preferably
integrated into the opening Section 212 through a two part resin
which adheres the decorative items 213 in a surface of the opening
section 212. In FIG. 3, the decorative items 213 define a plurality
of gemstones.
[0017] It is contemplated that in a third embodiment 400, a geode
style pearl pendant defines a pearl member similar to the first and
second embodiments in that it includes a pearl body 410 which is
formed from a conventional pearl having an exterior surface 411. In
this third embodiment, preferably the pearl has been pierced all
the way through, providing an aperture that extends all the way
through the pearl 415, entering on one surface and exiting the
opposite surface of the pearl, creating an aperture 415 extending
out the far side of the pearl. This preferably allows a user to see
through the pearl, looking through the cavity 412 and out the
aperture 415 that extends through the pearl and out the opposite
surface of the pearl. Similar to the other embodiments, discrete
decorative items 413 are integrated in the aperture section,
typically disposed on the interior edge 414. In a preferred
variation, the interior edges of the aperture 414 can be set with
one or more of gems, crystals, precious stones, and any other
suitable form of decoration. This can preferably be included in a
pendant jewelry assembly 420, with at least one of a chain and cord
422 looped through an attachment point 421 attached to exterior
surface 411 of the pearl body 410.
[0018] Similar to the pearl member of the first embodiment, the
pearl member 210 has a pearl body 211 which is formed from a
conventional pearl having an exterior surface. In the second
embodiment, however, the pearl body 211 includes an opening section
212.
[0019] Illustrated in FIG. 3 is the pearl member 210 integrated
with the pendant jewelry assembly 220. The pendant jewelry assembly
220, defining a finding 221 and a chain 222, is permanently
attached the pearl member 210 by way of the finding 221 being
mounted into a hole drilled into the exterior surface of the pearl
body 211. Similar to the first embodiment, however, the pearl
member 210 in accordance with the second embodiment may be availed
with other styles of conventional findings and jewelry components
when used to create other styles of jewelry, or may be availed
without any attached findings and jewelry components.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, a geode style pearl pendant 300 is
shown having a pearl member 310 with a pearl body 311 and opening
section 312 in accordance with a second embodiment and a ring
jewelry assembly 320. Illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening section
312 is fashioned as a circular cavity which is centrally positioned
in pearl body 311 and the decorative items 313 define seed pearls.
Also illustrated is the pearl member 310 integrated with the ring
jewelry assembly 320, which defines a conventional ring assembly
having at least a mounting 321 and a hoop 322.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 5, a process through which a geode
style pearl is produced in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention begins with producing a sliced pearl part. To
produce a sliced pearl part, a target pearl with an exposed
exterior surface is first marked at the location where it should be
cut. In the preferred embodiment, the target pearl is marked for
slicing along an intersecting plane. Once the desired location is
marked, the target pearl is sliced to form a pearl part for use in
creating a geode style pearl. By slicing the pearl part, an
interior surface is exposed. It is appreciated that slicing a
target pearl may create a single usable sliced pearl part or two or
more usable sliced pearl parts. Furthermore, some embodiments may
define a sliced pearl part which has been sliced more than
once.
[0022] It is contemplated that the slicing of the target pearl may
be performed with a handsaw or band saw.
[0023] Once the sliced pearl part is produced, a pearl cavity is
prepared. It is contemplated that for the first embodiment, a solid
pearl (not a souffle pearl) is preferably employed. As such,
provided the sliced pearl part was from a Solid pearl, the pearl
cavity is prepared by boring a hole into the interior surface of
the sliced pearl part to create a crafted cavity. In such an
embodiment, the cavity will generally define essentially all of the
interior surface, leaving only a rim surrounding the cavity. It is
contemplated that in other embodiments, the cavity a smaller
portion of the interior surface.
[0024] The boring of the sliced pearl part is typically performed
with ball burs using flexible shaft tool.
[0025] In alternate embodiments, it is appreciated that if the
sliced pearl part was from a souffle pearl, removing any earth
matter utilized in growing the souffle pearl (or other conventional
material used to grow souffle pearls) is removed to reveal an
inherent cavity. It is contemplated that the removal of
conventional earth matter is commonly accomplished using hydrogen
peroxide and water and ball burs with a flexible shaft tool. The
removal of the earth matter may, however, be carried out in any
suitable manner.
[0026] The preparation of the pearl cavity next requires that the
interior surface (which, if the cavity defines substantially all of
the interior surface, will be the cavity and the surface of the
rim) of the slice pearl part be sanded, typically with one or more
of 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, this
surface are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once
polished, excess buffer compound is washed and cleaned off from the
interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl
cavity.
[0027] Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode
style pearl, the sliced pearl part with a pearl cavity is then
prepared for jewelry use. The preparation for jewelry use is
defined by drilling holes to mount findings into the sliced pearl
part and then attaching desired findings (or other jewelry
attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is understood that
attaching the findings may be accomplished with a conventional
adhesive.
[0028] Any desired cavity decorative items, such as gemstones or
seed pearls, are then integrated onto the sliced pearl part. The
integration of decorative items into the sliced pearl part begins
with the application of a multi-part adhesive, defined in the
preferred embodiment as a two part resin, onto the interior surface
of the sliced pearl part. It is appreciated that while the
multi-part adhesive may be applied anywhere on the revealed
interior surface of the sliced pearl part where it is desired to
attach decorative items, the multi-part adhesive is applied to the
surface of the pearl cavity to create a geode style pearl in
accordance with the present invention. Gemstones, pearls, or other
decorative items are then added to the interior surface of the
sliced pearl part where the multi-part adhesive was applied, and
the multi-part adhesive is then allowed to cure for a predetermined
curing time period. In one embodiment, the curing time period
defines 24 hours.
[0029] Following the curing time period, the integration of
decorative items into the sliced pearl part is then completed by
cleaning off the excess multi-part adhesive. It is contemplated
that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may be performed a
conventional solvent. In Some embodiments, a solvent that includes
methylene chloride, such as Attack.RTM. is employed.
[0030] Once the integration of decorative items is completed to
form a pearl member in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention, if desired, such a pearl member may be assembled
into a particular type of jewelry.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6, a process through which a geode
style pearl is produced in accordance with the second embodiment of
the present invention is similar to the process for producing the
same in accordance with the first embodiment. For the second
embodiment, the process begins with producing a bored pearl. To
produce a bored pearl, a target pearl is first marked to reflect
the shape and location where an opening is desired. Once marked, a
cavity is bored into the target pearl, typically performed with
ball burs using flexible shaft tool. Then, if the target pearl was
a souffle pearl and the cavity has been formed to be contiguous
with the inherent cavity thereof, any earth matter in its interior
utilized in forming the inherent cavity (as exposed by the cavity)
is removed to reveal an inherent cavity. It is contemplated that
the removal of conventional earth matter is commonly accomplished
using hydrogen peroxide and water. The bored cavity along with any
inherent cavity, together define the interior surface of the bored
pearl.
[0032] Once a bored pearl is produced, the preparation of the
interior surface begins with the sanding of the interior surface
and the rim of the bored pearl, typically with one or more of 220,
320, 400, 600, and 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Then, these
surfaces are polished, typically with a conventional buffer. Once
polished, excess buffer compound is washed and clean off from the
interior of the pearl, completing the preparation of the pearl
cavity.
[0033] Depending on what the desired use of the finished geode
style pearl, the bored pearl is then prepared for jewelry use. The
preparation for jewelry use is defined by drilling holes to mount
findings into to bored pearl and then attaching desired findings
(or other jewelry attachment implement) to the drilled hole. It is
understood that attaching the findings may be accomplished with a
conventional adhesive.
[0034] To integrate any desired cavity decorative items, such as
gemstones or seed pearls, onto the interior surface of the bored
pearl, a multi-part adhesive, defined in the preferred embodiment
as a two part resin, is first applied onto the interior surface of
the sliced pearl part. Gemstones, pearls, or other decorative items
are then added to the interior surface where the multi-part
adhesive was applied, and the multi-part adhesive is the allowed to
cure for a predetermined curing time period. In one embodiment, the
curing time period defines 24 hours.
[0035] Following the curing time period, the integration of
decorative items into the bored pearl is then completed by cleaning
off the excess multi-part adhesive. As with the first embodiment,
it is contemplated that cleaning the excess multi-part adhesive may
be performed a conventional solvent.
[0036] Once the integration of decorative items is completed to
form a pearl member in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention, if desired. Such a pearl member may be assembled
into a particular type of jewelry.
[0037] The present invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *