Gem setting and piece of jewelry made therewith

Abstract

A gem setting includes a base structure and a first plurality of supporting prongs extending from the base structure. The first plurality of prongs is arranged with a first lateral extent, each of the prongs forming the first plurality of supporting prongs engaging both a central stone and at least two surrounding stones. The gem setting also includes a second plurality of supporting prongs extending from the base structure. The second plurality of prongs is arranged with a second lateral extent beyond the lateral extent of the first plurality of supporting prongs. The second plurality of supporting prongs is composed of tri-prongs each including a first lateral prong, a second lateral prong and a central prong. The first lateral prong and the second lateral prong are oriented to engage the at least two surrounding stones engaged by the prong of the first plurality of supporting prongs.

1 . A piece of jewelry, comprising:
 a central stone and a plurality of surrounding stones mounted in a setting, the setting including:   a first plurality of supporting prongs arranged with a first lateral extent, each of the prongs forming the first plurality of supporting prongs engaging both a central stone and at least two surrounding stones;   a second plurality of supporting prongs arranged with a second lateral extent beyond the lateral extent of the first plurality of supporting prongs, the second plurality of supporting prongs being composed of tri-prongs each including a first lateral prong, a second lateral prong and a central prong, the first lateral prong and the second lateral prong being oriented to engage the at least two surrounding stones engaged by the prong of the first plurality of supporting prongs.   
     
     
         2 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 1 , wherein the central stone is a diamond and the surrounding stones are diamonds. 
     
     
         3 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of supporting prongs is arranged in a circular arrangement having a first diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 3 , wherein the second plurality of supporting prongs is arranged in a circular arrangement having a second diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 4 , wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 5 , where each tri-prong is aligned with an inner prong along a radial line extending through a center of the setting. 
     
     
         7 . The piece of jewelry according to  claim 1 , wherein each tri-prong is aligned with an inner prong. 
     
     
         8 . A gem setting, comprising:
 a base structure;   a first plurality of supporting prongs extending from the base structure, the first plurality of prongs arranged with a first lateral extent, each of the prongs forming the first plurality of supporting prongs engaging both a central stone and at least two surrounding stones;   a second plurality of supporting prongs extending from the base structure, the second plurality of prongs arranged with a second lateral extent beyond the lateral extent of the first plurality of supporting prongs, the second plurality of supporting prongs being composed of tri-prongs each including a first lateral prong, a second lateral prong and a central prong; and   the first lateral prong and the second lateral prong being oriented to engage the at least two surrounding stones engaged by the prong of the first plurality of supporting prongs.   
     
     
         9 . The gem setting according to  claim 8 , wherein the central stone is a diamond and the surrounding stones are diamonds. 
     
     
         10 . The gem setting according to  claim 8 , wherein the first plurality of supporting prongs is arranged in a circular arrangement having a first diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The gem setting according to  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of supporting prongs is arranged in a circular arrangement having a second diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The gem setting according to  claim 11 , wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The gem setting according to  claim 12 , where each tri-prong is aligned with an inner prong along a radial line extending through a center of the setting. 
     
     
         14 . The gem setting according to  claim 8 , wherein each tri-prong is aligned with an inner prong.