Expandable jewelry articles and method for making the same

Abstract

The invention includes an adjustable jewelry article and method for making the same. The article includes a filament having a first end and a second end, a first retainer mounted on the filament for capturing a first portion of the filament proximate the first end of the filament and adjustably capturing a second portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament, and a second retainer for capturing a third portion of the filament proximate the second end of the filament and a fourth portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament such that the filament forms a first loop that can be adjusted in size by capturing varying amounts of filament between the first and second retainers.

1 . An adjustable jewelry article comprising: 
 a) a filament having a first end and a second end;    b) a first retainer mounted on the filament for capturing a first portion of the filament proximate the first end of the filament and adjustably capturing a second portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament; and    c) a second retainer for capturing a third portion of the filament proximate the second end of the filament and a fourth portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament such that the filament forms a first loop that can be adjusted in size by capturing varying amounts of filament between the first and- second retainers.    
   
   
       2 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein a second loop is formed by varying the amount of filament between the first and second retainers.  
   
   
       3 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the filament is selected from the group consisting of a wire, a chain and a cord.  
   
   
       4 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the first retainer includes a first bead defining a first passage therethrough, the filament being adapted and configured to traverse the first passage.  
   
   
       5 . The jewelry article of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second portions of the filament traverse the first passage.  
   
   
       6 . The jewelry article of  claim 4 , wherein the first retainer includes a second bead affixed to the first bead.  
   
   
       7 . The jewelry article of  claim 6 , wherein the second bead defines a second passage through the second bead, wherein the first portion of the filament traverses the first passage and the second portion of the filament traverses the second passage.  
   
   
       8 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one charm attached to the jewelry article.  
   
   
       9 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the jewelry article is chosen from the group consisting of a necklace, a ring and a bracelet.  
   
   
       10 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second retainers adjustably capture the first and third portions of the filament.  
   
   
       11 . An adjustable length necklace comprising: 
 a) a chain having a first end and a second end;    b) a first primary bead for capturing a first portion of the chain proximate the first end;    c) a first secondary bead attached to the first primary bead for adjustably capturing a second portion of the chain;    d) a second primary bead for capturing a third portion of the chain proximate the second end; and    e) a second secondary bead attached to the second primary bead for adjustably capturing a fourth portion of the chain such that the chain forms a loop that can be adjusted in size by having varying amounts of chain captured between the first and second secondary beads.    
   
   
       12 . The adjustable length necklace of  claim 11 , wherein a second loop is formed by varying the amount of chain between the first and second secondary beads.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable length necklace of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one charm attached to the necklace.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable length necklace of  claim 1 , wherein the primary beads adjustably capture the chain.  
   
   
       15 . A method for making an article of jewelry, comprising: 
 a) providing a filament having a first end and a second end;    b) mounting a first retainer on the filament to capture a first portion of the filament proximate the first end of the filament and to adjustably capture a second portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament; and    c) mounting a second retainer on the filament to capture a third portion of the filament proximate the second end of the filament and to capture a fourth portion of the filament displaced from the ends of the filament such that the filament forms a first loop that can be adjusted in size by capturing varying amounts of filament between the first and second retainers.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of forming a second loop by varying the amount of filament between the first and second retainers.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first retainer includes a first bead defining a first passage therethrough, the filament being adapted and configured to traverse the first passage.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second portions of the filament traverse the first passage.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising attaching at least one charm to the filament.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second retainers adjustably capture the first and third portions of the filament, respectively.