Assemblies and methods for interchangeable jewelry

Abstract

The present invention relates to assemblies and methods for interchangeable jewelry, as are disclosed herein. The assemblies and methods disclosed herein enable individuals to customize jewelry through the use of interchangeable decorative elements. In one embodiment, a jewelry assembly comprises: (a) a frame containing a recessed portion wherein the frame is constructed from a material with magnetic properties; (b) a decorative element coupled to a magnet wherein the decorative element is sized to fit within the recessed portion of the frame wherein the magnet removably secures the decorative element within the recessed portion of the frame such that the exposed portion of the decorative element does not sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame.

1 . A jewelry assembly comprising:
 (a) a frame with raised edges defining a recessed portion that is coextensive with the frame wherein the frame is constructed from and/or lined with a material with magnetic properties;   (b) a decorative element coupled to a magnet wherein the perimeter of the decorative element is sized to entirely fit within the recessed portion of the frame wherein the magnet alone removably secures the decorative element within the recessed portion of the frame such that the exposed portion of the decorative element does not sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the magnet is adhesively affixed to the decorative element. 
     
     
         3 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the decorative element and the magnet are securely crimped together. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the decorative element is a button. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the decorative element is a customizable button. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the decorative element can be removed without the use of a removal implement by applying tangential pressure to the decorative element. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the formed recessed portion of the frame is generally in the shape of a circle, a square, a diamond, a triangle, a star, an oval, or a rectangle. 
     
     
         8 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A decorative element with magnetized properties wherein the perimeter of the magnetized decorative element is sized to entirely fit within a recessed portion of a frame with raised edges defining the recessed portion wherein the recessed portion is coextensive with the frame and wherein the frame is constructed from or lined with a material with magnetic properties; and wherein only the magnetic forces between the frame and the magnetized decorative element removably secure the magnetized decorative element within the recessed portion of the frame such that the exposed portion of the magnetized decorative element does not sit flushly within the recessed portion of the frame. 
     
     
         33 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  wherein the magnetized decorative element is constructed from a material with magnetic properties. 
     
     
         34 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  wherein a magnet is adhesively affixed to the decorative element. 
     
     
         35 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  wherein the decorative element is a button. 
     
     
         36 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  wherein the decorative element is a customizable button 
     
     
         37 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  wherein the magnetized decorative element can be removed from the frame without the use of a removal implement by applying tangential pressure to the magnetized decorative element. 
     
     
         38 . A magnetized decorative element according to  claim 32  sized to fit a frame generally in the shape of a circle, a square, a diamond, a triangle, a star, an oval, or a rectangle.