Method of creating fingerprint-imprinted jewelry

Abstract

A method of creating fingerprint-imprinted jewelry which includes the steps of applying a lubricating oil to a fingertip and providing an amount of precious metal clay sufficient to generally cover at least a portion of a fingertip. The amount of precious metal clay is then formed into a fingerprint-receiving shape such as a generally flat disk or plate and a fingertip is then pressed into the precious metal clay such that a fingerprint of the fingertip is formed and retained on and within the amount of precious metal clay. The amount of precious metal clay is then air-dried to initially set and retain the fingerprint and then is fired within a kiln to ablate substantially all of the organic binding material within the precious metal clay thereby leaving only the precious metal having the fingerprint formed thereon which is thus available for use as a piece of jewelry.

1 . A method of creating fingerprint-imprinted jewelry comprising the steps: 
 applying an amount of a lubricating liquid to a fingertip;    providing an amount of precious metal clay, said amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a precious metal and a quantity of a binding material in a generally homogenous mixture, said amount of precious metal clay sufficient to generally cover at least a portion of a fingertip;    forming said amount of precious metal clay into a fingerprint-receiving shape;    pressing a fingertip into said fingerprint-receiving shape of said amount of precious metal clay such that a fingerprint of the fingertip corresponding to the fingerprint on the fingertip is formed and retained on and within said amount of precious metal clay;    drying said amount of precious metal clay for a time period sufficient to initially set and retain said fingerprint in said amount of precious metal clay;    firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon within a kiln for a length of time and at a temperature sufficient to ablate substantially all of said organic binding material within said amount of precious metal clay thereby leaving only said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon; and    removing said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon from said kiln and using said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon as a piece of jewelry.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of applying an amount of a lubricating liquid to a fingertip comprises applying a lubricating oil.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of providing an amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a precious metal comprises providing a precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, brass, steel, platinum, palladium and rhodium.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of providing an amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a binding material comprises providing an organic binding material.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon within a kiln comprises firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon at a temperature between 600° F. and 1650° F. until substantially all of said binder material is ablated away.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of removing said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon from said kiln and using said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon as a piece of jewelry further comprises forming at least one mounting hole therethrough through which a connective piece of jewelry is extendable for connection of said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon to a necklace chain thereby facilitating the wear and display of said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon.  
   
   
       7 . A method of creating fingerprint-imprinted jewelry comprising the steps: 
 applying an amount of a lubricating oil to a fingertip;    providing an amount of precious metal clay, said amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a precious metal and a quantity of a binding material in a generally homogenous mixture, said amount of precious metal clay sufficient to generally cover at least a portion of a fingertip;    rolling said amount of precious metal clay into a generally spherical ball;    placing said generally spherical ball of said amount of precious metal clay on a generally hard, clean, smooth surface;    forming said amount of precious metal clay into a fingerprint-receiving generally circular disk on said generally hard, clean, smooth surface;    pressing a fingertip having a coating of said amount of a lubricating oil into said fingerprint-receiving generally circular disk of said amount of precious metal clay such that a fingerprint of the fingertip corresponding to the fingerprint on the fingertip is formed and retained on and within said amount of precious metal clay;    drying said amount of precious metal clay for a time period sufficient to initially set and retain said fingerprint in said amount of precious metal clay;    firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon within a kiln for a length of time and at a temperature sufficient to ablate substantially all of said organic binding material within said amount of precious metal clay thereby leaving only said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon; and    removing said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon from said kiln and using said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon as a piece of jewelry.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said step of providing an amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a precious metal comprises providing a precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, brass, steel, platinum, palladium and rhodium.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said step of providing an amount of precious metal clay including a quantity of a binding material comprises providing an organic binding material.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said step of firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon within a kiln comprises firing said amount of precious metal clay with said fingerprint thereon at a temperature between 600° F. and 1650° F. until substantially all of said binder material is ablated away.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said step of removing said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon from said kiln and using said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon as a piece of jewelry further comprises forming at least one mounting hole therethrough through which a connective piece of jewelry is extendable for connection of said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon to a necklace chain thereby facilitating the wear and display of said precious metal having said fingerprint formed thereon.