Interchangeable jewelry item

Abstract

An earring that is convertible to a bracelet and vice versa is provided. The design comprises a chain of any type with magnetic clasps affixed at either end. Each earring may be attached to a person's ear lobe by using the magnetic elements in each clasp—the magnet elements attract one another when each clasp is fixed on either side of the earlobe. Alternatively, the two earrings can be coupled together in order to form a bracelet. Corresponding clasps from each of the earrings are mated together (via their internal magnets) in order to form a pair of decorative globes.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A method of making a bracelet from a pair of earring, each earring being formed of a segment made of a flexible material formed with two ends, each said end including a magnet strong enough to form an earring clasp with the magnet of another end with the earlobe of a person between the ends, said method comprising interconnecting two earrings end to end to form a bracelet with the end of a first segment being directly coupled to the end of the second segment. 
   
   
       8 . A method of making a plurality of jewelry articles comprising:
 constructing two or more jewelry chain segments, each chain segment defined by (1) a central jewelry element, (2) first and second extending elements having a length of which at least a portion is continuously flexible, each extending element having a first end connected to said jewelry element and a second end, and (3) two complementary magnetic clasps with one of said clasps connected to said second end of said first extending element and the other of said clasps connected to said second end of said second extending flexible element;   selectively disposing said clasps of any one of chain segments in facing relationship over an earlobe such that said clasps magnetically attract one another so that said chain segment is downwardly hangable from said earlobe in order to define earring; and   selectively connecting said chain segments end to end in order to form a bracelet by magnetically mating one of said magnetic clasps of any of said chain segments to the other of said magnetic clasps of a different chain segment.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said jewelry segments are constructed with said extending elements comprising an interlocking hoop chain. 
   
   
       10 . A method of making jewelry articles including a bracelet and a pair of earrings from a modular jewelry set having a first and a second chain segments, each segment having first and second end connected by a flexible member, each end having a magnet, said magnet generating a magnetic field strong enough to couple said end with another end even when said ends are separated by distance equal to the typical thickness of an earlobe of a person to from an earring clasp, said method comprising:
 Attaching each said segments to a respective ear of a person by forming a loop with the two ends being on opposite sides of the respective ear lobe to form said earring clasp; and   Connecting said first set of segments end to end using said magnets, wherein each end of one segment of said set is in direct contact with the respective end of another segment to form a bracelet for a person.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one segment includes at least one decorative element disposed on the flexible member between the ends. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said flexible member is a chain, 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said flexible member is a metallic chain. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each segment end is sized and shaped to form a regular geometric shape further comprising mating said ends seamlessly during said connection to form a first decorative object. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein each segment includes on said flexible member a second decorative object having the shape of said first decorative object.