Rings and methods of fabricating the same

Abstract

A ring is provided. The ring includes a shank and a head extending from the shank. The head defines a gemstone pocket and includes a gallery having at least one framework shaped to define a symbol. The framework has an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between the interior face and the exterior face such that the interior face defines a periphery of the pocket and such that the symbol extends through the entire thickness of the framework.

1 . A ring comprising:
 a shank; and   a head extending from said shank, said head defining a gemstone pocket and comprising a gallery having at least one framework purposely shaped to define at least one alphanumeric symbol, wherein said framework comprises an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between said interior face and said exterior face such that said interior face defines a periphery of said pocket and such that said alphanumeric symbol extends through the entire thickness of said framework.   
     
     
         2 . A ring in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said head comprises a gemstone support rail, and wherein said shank comprises a bridge beneath said gallery, said framework extending from said bridge to said rail. 
     
     
         3 . A ring in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said shank comprises a first shoulder segment and a second shoulder segment, said head positioned between said shoulder segments such that said framework extends from said first shoulder segment to said second shoulder segment. 
     
     
         4 . A ring in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said framework comprises an arrangement of first frame members and an arrangement of second frame members, said arrangement of first frame members defining a first alphanumeric symbol, said arrangement of second frame members defining a second alphanumeric symbol different than said first alphanumeric symbol. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A ring in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said framework is dome-shaped such that said pocket is generally hemispherical. 
     
     
         7 . A ring comprising:
 a gemstone;   a shank; and   a head extending from said shank and defining a pocket in which said gemstone is set, said head comprising a gallery having at least one framework purposely shaped to define at least one alphanumeric symbol, wherein said framework comprises an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between said interior face and said exterior face such that said interior face defines a periphery of said pocket and such that said alphanumeric symbol extends through the entire thickness of said framework.   
     
     
         8 . A ring in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said head comprises a rail that supports said gemstone, and wherein said shank comprises a bridge beneath said gallery, said framework extending from said bridge to said rail. 
     
     
         9 . A ring in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said shank comprises a first shoulder segment and a second shoulder segment, said head positioned between said shoulder segments such that said framework extends from said first shoulder segment to said second shoulder segment. 
     
     
         10 . A ring in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said framework comprises an arrangement of first frame members and an arrangement of second frame members, said arrangement of first frame members defining a first alphanumeric symbol, said arrangement of second frame members defining a second alphanumeric symbol different than said first alphanumeric symbol. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A ring in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said framework is convex. 
     
     
         13 . A ring in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said framework is dome-shaped such that said pocket is generally hemispherical. 
     
     
         14 . A method of fabricating a ring, said method comprising:
 forming a shank; and   one of coupling and forming a head on the shank, the head defining a gemstone pocket and including a gallery having at least one framework purposely shaped to define at least one alphanumeric symbol, wherein the framework has an interior face, an exterior face, and a thickness between the interior face and the exterior face such that the interior face defines a periphery of the pocket and such that the alphanumeric symbol extends through the entire thickness of the framework.   
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising:
 forming the head with a gemstone support rail;   forming the shank with a bridge beneath the gallery; and   forming the framework to extend from the bridge to the rail.   
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming the shank with a first shoulder segment and a second shoulder segment; and   positioning the head between the shoulder segments such that the framework extends from the first shoulder segment to the second shoulder segment.   
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising forming the framework with an arrangement of first frame members and an arrangement of second frame members, such that the arrangement of first frame members defines a first alphanumeric symbol, and such that the arrangement of second frame members defines a second alphanumeric symbol different than the first alphanumeric symbol. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising forming the framework to be convex. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising forming the framework to be dome-shaped such that the pocket is generally hemispherical.