Gemstone mount assemblies, jewelry pieces and methods for forming the same

Abstract

A jewelry piece includes a gemstone mount assembly and a gemstone. The gemstone mount assembly includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. The bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member. The gemstone is mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member. The gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

1 . A jewelry piece comprising: 
 a) a gemstone mount assembly including: 
 1) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and  
 2) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening;  
 3) wherein the bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member; and  
   b) a gemstone mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member, wherein the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.    
   
   
       2 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the bezel member is welded to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       3 . The jewelry piece of  claim 2  wherein the bezel member is laser welded to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       4 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the bezel member is soldered to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       5 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the bezel member is adhered to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       6 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the bezel member is further secured to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.  
   
   
       7 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially conical or frusto-conical.  
   
   
       8 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal.  
   
   
       9 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the base opening is substantially oval.  
   
   
       10 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the base member includes a plurality of separately formed, coupled segments.  
   
   
       11 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the base member is unitarily formed.  
   
   
       12 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  including a decorative embossment defined in an outer surface of the base member.  
   
   
       13 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  including a decorative cutout defined in an outer surface of the base member and communicating with the base cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  including a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member, wherein a portion of the first end of the base member is received in the recess.  
   
   
       15 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  including an earring post secured to the second end of the base member.  
   
   
       16 . The jewelry piece of  claim 1  wherein the gemstone includes a base portion disposed in the base cavity, a crown extending through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle disposed between the bezel member and the base member.  
   
   
       17 . A gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone, the gemstone mount assembly comprising: 
 a) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and    b) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening;    c) wherein the bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member; and    d) wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.    
   
   
       18 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the bezel member is welded to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       19 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 18  wherein the bezel member is laser welded to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       20 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the bezel member is soldered to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       21 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the bezel member is adhered to the first end of the base member.  
   
   
       22 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the bezel member is further secured to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.  
   
   
       23 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially conical or frusto-conical.  
   
   
       24 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal.  
   
   
       25 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base opening is substantially oval.  
   
   
       26 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base member includes a plurality of separately formed, coupled segments.  
   
   
       27 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base member is unitarily formed.  
   
   
       28 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  including a decorative embossment defined in an outer surface of the base member.  
   
   
       29 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  including a decorative cutout defined in an outer surface of the base member and communicating with the base cavity.  
   
   
       30 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  including a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member, wherein a portion of the first end of the base member is received in the recess.  
   
   
       31 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  including an earring post secured to the second end of the base member.  
   
   
       32 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 17  wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to receive the gemstone such that a base portion of the gemstone is disposed in the base cavity, a crown extending through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle disposed between the bezel member and the base member.  
   
   
       33 . A jewelry piece comprising: 
 a) a gemstone mount assembly including: 
 1) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and  
 2) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening;  
 3) wherein at least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member; and  
   b) a gemstone mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member, wherein the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.    
   
   
       34 . The jewelry piece of  claim 33  wherein a decorative embossment is defined in the outer surface of the base member.  
   
   
       35 . The jewelry piece of  claim 33  wherein a decorative cutout is defined in the outer surface of the base member and communicates with the base cavity.  
   
   
       36 . A gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone, the gemstone mount assembly comprising: 
 a) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and    b) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening;    c) wherein at least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member; and    d) wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.    
   
   
       37 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 36  wherein a decorative embossment is defined in the outer surface of the base member.  
   
   
       38 . The gemstone mount assembly of  claim 36  wherein a decorative cutout is defined in the outer surface of the base member and communicates with the base cavity.  
   
   
       39 . A method for forming a jewelry piece, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) positioning a gemstone between a base member and a bezel member, the base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end, the bezel member defining a bezel opening;    b) mounting the bezel member on the first end of the base member such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening; and    c) bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes welding the bezel member to the base member.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes laser welding the bezel member to the base member.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes soldering the bezel member to the base member.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes adhering the bezel member to the base member.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39  including securing the bezel member to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 39  including forming a decorative embossment in an outer surface of the base member.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 39  including forming a decorative cutout in an outer surface of the base member such that the cutout communicates with the base cavity.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the step of mounting the bezel member on the base member includes inserting a portion of the first end of the base member in a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 39  including securing an earring post to the second end of the base member.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 39  including positioning the gemstone in the base member and the bezel member such that a pavilion portion of the gemstone is disposed in the base cavity, a crown of the gemstone extends through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle of the gemstone is disposed between the bezel member and the base member.