Decorative jewelry and methods of making same

Abstract

An article of jewelry includes a stone having a viewing surface and a back surface and epoxy. The stone preferably is transparent or translucent in that it preferably internally and externally reflects and refracts light. The epoxy preferably is provided on the back surface of the stone, the color of which is preferably viewable, including from the stone's front surface. The epoxy may be colored, transparent, translucent or colorless. The design is such that the epoxy surface and the viewing surface of the stone are intended to be left at least partially exposed and viewable in the final article of jewelry.

1 . An article of jewelry comprising:
 a stone comprising a first surface and a second surface, the stone at least partially permitting passage of light;   an epoxy having a color, the epoxy provided on the second surface of the stone, wherein the color of the epoxy provided on the second surface is viewable from the first surface, and wherein the epoxy on the second surface is at least partially exposed in a final form of the article of jewelry.   
     
     
         2 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  further comprising a special effect coating on the stone. 
     
     
         3 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the stone is a crystal. 
     
     
         4 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the stone is a cut glass. 
     
     
         5 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the article of jewelry is freestanding. 
     
     
         6 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the stone is in an open setting. 
     
     
         7 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the stone is in a cast setting. 
     
     
         8 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the stone is natural. 
     
     
         9 . The article of jewelry of  claim 1  wherein the first surface is substantially exposed in the article of jewelry's final form. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming an article of jewelry comprising the steps of:
 providing a stone comprising a first major surface and a second major surface, the stone allowing passage of light;   applying an epoxy having a color, the epoxy being applied on the second major surface of the stone, wherein the color of the epoxy provided on the back surface is viewable from the first major surface of the stone, and   having the first major surface of the stone and the epoxy applied to the second major surface of the stone remain at least partially exposed in a final form of the article.   
     
     
         11 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of applying a special effect coating to the stone's surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of placing the epoxy-covered stone in an open setting. 
     
     
         13 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of placing the epoxy-covered stone in a cast setting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface is substantially exposed in the article of jewelry's final form. 
     
     
         15 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10  wherein the stone is a crystal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10  wherein the stone is a cut glass. 
     
     
         17 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10  wherein the article of jewelry is freestanding. 
     
     
         18 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10  wherein the stone is natural. 
     
     
         19 . The method of forming the article of jewelry of  claim 10 , wherein the stone comprises facets and the method further comprising the step of applying a layer of the epoxy to the second major surface of the stone such that the layer has a thickness sufficient to provide an at least partially smooth outer surface.