Suspension setting for gemstones

Abstract

A novel setting for a gemstone comprises a plurality of supports projecting from a setting fixture and engaging the girdle of a gemstone and suspending the gemstone within the setting. Retention pressure is applied to a sufficient level to retain the gemstone within the setting fixture. In one embodiment, a setting of the present invention uses spring bias to generate the retention pressure for retention of the gemstone.

1 . A setting for a gemstone comprising; 
 A setting fixture; and,    A plurality of supports emanating from said setting fixture where each of said supports includes a contact portion and a body portion, said contact portion capable of engaging and retaining the girdle edge of a gemstone, and where said body portion projects from said setting fixture.    
   
   
       2 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  1 , where at least one of said supports includes a contact portion that is biased in favor of engagement and retention of a gemstone.  
   
   
       3 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  2 , where the bias applied by said contact portion is generated by a spring.  
   
   
       4 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  1 , where one or more of said supports are in threaded engagement with said setting fixture and can be reversibly advanced to the point where said contact portion engages and retains a gemstone.  
   
   
       5 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  1 , where said supports compatibly engage and retain gemstones of different shapes.  
   
   
       6 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  1 , where said setting fixture is a halo mounting.  
   
   
       7 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  1 , where said setting fixture is a prong mounting.  
   
   
       8 . A setting for a gemstone comprising: 
 A setting fixture; and,    A plurality of supports emanating from said setting fixture where each of said supports includes a contact portion and a body portion, said contact portion capable of engaging and retaining the girdle edge of differing shapes and sizes of gemstones, and where at least one of said contact portions is spring biased in favor of engagement and retention of the gemstone.    
   
   
       9 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  8 , where said setting fixture is a halo mounting.  
   
   
       10 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  8 , where said setting fixture is a prong mounting.  
   
   
       11 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  8 , where a retention bias is also generated by threaded advancement of said support.  
   
   
       12 . A setting for gemstones of differing shapes and sizes and with a girdle edge, comprising: 
 A setting fixture with a plurality of supports emanating from said setting fixture and where each of said supports includes a contact portion and a body portion, said contact portion being capable of engaging and retaining the girdle edge of a gemstone, and where at least one of said contact portions is brought into engagement and retention of the girdle edge by reversible advancement of said support by threaded engagement between said support and said setting fixture.    
   
   
       13 . A setting for gemstones as in claim Number  12 , where said setting fixture is a halo mounting.  
   
   
       14 . A setting for gemstones as in claim Number  12 , where said setting fixture is a prong mounting.  
   
   
       15 . A setting for gemstones as in claim Number  12 , where said supports generate retention pressure by spring bias.  
   
   
       16 . A setting for a gemstone comprising: 
 A setting fixture employing at least one support comprised of a contact portion and a body portion, where said contact portion engages and retains a girdle edge of a gemstone with selectable retention pressure, and where said body portion projects from said setting fixture.    
   
   
       17 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  16 , where said setting fixture includes at least three supports.  
   
   
       18 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  16 , where said retention pressure is generated by a spring bias.  
   
   
       19 . A setting for a gemstone as in claim Number  16 , where said retention pressure is generated by threaded advancement of the support.  
   
   
       20 . A setting for gemstones of differing sizes and shapes, comprising: 
 A setting fixture employing a plurality of supports, where said supports include contact portions and body portions, and where said contact portions engage and retain a girdle edge of a gemstone with selectable retention pressure, and where said body portions project from said setting fixture, and where said setting fixture is comprised of a halo mounting.    
   
   
       21 . A setting for gemstones of differing sizes and shapes, comprising: 
 A setting fixture employing a plurality of supports, where said supports include contact portions and body portions, and where said contact portions engage and retain a girdle edge of a gemstone with selectable retention pressure, and where said body portions project from said setting fixture, and where said setting fixture is comprised of a prong mounting.    
   
   
       22 . A method for setting a gemstone in a suspension setting, the steps of which comprise: 
 Selecting a setting fixture for a gemstone;    Installing one or more supports in said setting fixture;    Positioning a gemstone to be engaged by said support(s);    Advancing said support(s) to engagement with the girdle edge of the gemstone;    Adjusting said support(s) with sufficient retention pressure to retain the gemstone;    Fixing said support(s) within the setting fixture; and,    Finishing said support(s) and setting fixture for a cosmetic appearance.    
   
   
       23 . The method for setting a gemstone in a suspension setting as in claim Number  22 , where the steps may be reversed for the disengagement of the gemstone from the suspension setting.  
   
   
       24 . The method for setting a gemstone in a suspension setting as in claim Number  22 , where the retention pressure is generated by a spring bias.  
   
   
       25 . The method for setting a gemstone in a suspension setting as in claim Number  22 , where the retention pressure is generated by threaded advancement of the support(s).