Finger Ring for Holding Interchangeable Gems

Abstract

A finger ring capable of holding interchangeable gemstones of different colors. The finger ring comprises a loop made of spring wire shaped to fit around a human finger. The loop comprises first and second end portions that are movable relative to each when the loop is flexed. First and second half-settings are respectively mounted to the first and second end portions. These half-settings are movable between open and closed positions during flexure of the loop. The half-settings in their closed positions form a setting capable of securely holding a gemstone and in their open positions are incapable of securely holding the same gemstone. The disclosed structure that facilitates gem interchangeability can also be incorporated in pendants or earrings.

1 . A ring comprising:
 a loop made of spring wire, said loop comprising first and second end portions that are movable relative to each when said loop is flexed; and   a setting for a gemstone comprising first and second sets of prongs, said first prong set being mounted on said first end portion of said loop, and said second prong set being mounted on said second end portion of said loop,   wherein said first and second sets of prongs have a first state when said loop is flexed due to application of pressure on both sides thereof to overcome resistance to bending of said spring wire and a second state when no pressure is applied to either side of said loop, said first and second sets of prongs being capable of securely holding a gemstone in said second state but not in said first state.   
     
     
         2 . The ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second prong sets move apart during flexure of said loop due to said application of pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end portions of said loop move in opposite directions during flexure of said loop due to said application of pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The ring as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a large gemstone held securely by said first and second prongs in said second state. 
     
     
         5 . The ring as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a cluster of small gemstones surrounding said large gemstone. 
     
     
         6 . The ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said loop comprises first and second loops of spring wire arranged side by side and soldered together. 
     
     
         7 . The ring as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said spring wire is made of silver alloy. 
     
     
         8 . A kit comprising a ring and first and second gemstones, wherein said first and second gemstones have the same maximum width, and said finger ring comprises:
 a loop made of spring wire, said loop comprising first and second end portions that are movable relative to each when said loop is flexed; and   a setting comprising first and second sets of prongs, said first prong set being mounted on said first end portion of said loop, and said second prong set being mounted on said second end portion of said loop,   wherein said first and second sets of prongs have a first state when said loop is flexed due to application of pressure on both sides thereof to overcome resistance to bending of said spring wire and a second state when no pressure is applied to either side of said loop, said first and second sets of prongs being capable of securely holding either of said first and second gemstones in said second state but being incapable of securely holding either of said first and second gemstones in said first state.   
     
     
         9 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said first and second prong sets move apart during flexure of said loop due to said application of pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said first and second end portions of said loop move in opposite directions during flexure of said loop due to said application of pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a cluster of small gemstones surrounding, said cluster comprising a first set of small gemstones fixedly arranged relative to said first prong set and a second set of small gemstones fixedly arranged relative to said second prong set, said first and second sets of small gemstones moving apart when said first and second prong sets move apart. 
     
     
         12 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said loop comprises first and second loops of spring wire arranged side by side and soldered together. 
     
     
         13 . The kit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said spring wire is made of silver alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A ring comprising a loop made of spring wire, said loop comprising first and second end portions that are movable relative to each when said loop is flexed; a first half-setting mounted to said first end portion; and a second half-setting mounted to said second end portion, said first and second half-settings being movable between open and closed positions during flexure of said loop, said first and second half-settings in said closed positions forming a setting capable of securely holding a gemstone and in said open positions being incapable of securely holding the same gemstone. 
     
     
         15 . The ring as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second half-settings move apart during flexure of said loop due to application of oppositely directed pressure forces on both sides of said loop. 
     
     
         16 . The ring as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second half-settings are urged toward said closed positions by a spring bias of said loop when no external force is being exerted on said loop. 
     
     
         17 . The ring as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a large gemstone held securely by said first and second half-settings in said closed positions. 
     
     
         18 . The ring as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a cluster of small gemstones surrounding said large gemstone. 
     
     
         19 . The ring as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said loop comprises first and second loops of spring wire arranged side by side and soldered together. 
     
     
         20 . The ring as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first half-setting comprises a first set of prongs and said second half-setting comprises a second set of prongs.