Methods of Making Artificial Gemstones Using Sublimation Printing, and Artificial Gemstones Made Therewith

Abstract

Methods of making artificial gemstones that include providing a base body having a sublimation surface composed of a sublimatable material. A transfer print composed of one or more sublimation dye inks is received. The transfer print provides, for example, a translucent multicolor gradation pattern or a simulation of visual surface characteristics of a finished natural gemstone. The transfer print is contacted with the sublimation surface and pressure is provided between the print and the base body and heat is applied to the transfer print and base body for an amount of time sufficient for the transfer print to sublimate into the sublimation surface so as to create a sublimation print in the sublimatable material. Finishing steps may be performed after creating the sublimation print. The base body may be, for example, translucent or opaque and/or a component of a multiplet gemstone. Artificial gemstones having sublimation prints are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making an artificial gemstone, the method comprising:
 providing a base body that is translucent or transparent and includes sublimation surface composed of a sublimatable material;   receiving a transfer print composed of one or more sublimation dye inks printed onto a transfer substrate, wherein the transfer print is translucent or transparent and either provides a multicolor gradation pattern or a single solid color;   contacting the transfer print to the sublimation surface;   applying pressure between, and heat to, the transfer print and the base body for an amount of time sufficient for the transfer print to sublimate into the sublimation surface so as to transfer the transfer print to the base body to create a sublimated print in the sublimatable material;   providing a second body that is translucent or transparent; and   affixing the second body to the base body at an interface so as to sandwich the sublimated print between the base body and the second body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein affixing the second body to the base body creates a rough gemstone, and the method further comprises machining the rough gemstone to create a finished gemstone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising finishing the rough gemstone on lapidary equipment to create a cut gemstone comprising a faceted crown and faceted pavilion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cut gemstone further comprises a girdle region, and the sublimated print is contained in the girdle region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein both of the base body and the second body are transparent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein machining the rough gemstone includes machining away a portion of the sublimated print to create a remaining portion of the sublimated print, and the remaining portion extends across the entirety of the girdle region. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the multicolor gradation pattern comprises at least three colors gradated with one another. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the translucent multicolor gradation pattern comprises at least five colors gradated with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein machining the rough gemstone includes machining away a portion of the sublimated print to create a remaining portion of the sublimated print. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the finished gemstone has a finished perimeter at the interface, and the remaining portion of the sublimated print covers the entirety of interface, thereby extending to the finished perimeter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the multicolor gradation pattern comprises at least three colors gradated with one another. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the translucent multicolor gradation pattern comprises at least five colors gradated with one another. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base body comprises a layer of the sublimatable material, applied to a non-sublimatable material, that provides the sublimation surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base body consists substantially only of the sublimatable material. 
     
     
         15 . An artificial gemstone having a desired shape, the artificial gemstone comprising:
 a base body made of a translucent or transparent material, the base body including a sublimation surface composed of a sublimatable material that is translucent or transparent;   a sublimated print sublimated into the sublimation surface of the base body, wherein the sublimated print is translucent or transparent and is selected from a group consisting of a single solid color and a multicolor gradation pattern; and   a second body affixed to the base body so as to form a doublet that sandwiches the sublimation print between the base body and the second body, the second base body being translucent or transparent;   wherein the doublet has an exterior that is machined to form the final shape.   
     
     
         16 . The artificial gemstone of  claim 15 , wherein the exterior of the doublet is machined to be faceted after the second body has been affixed to the base body so that a portion of the sublimated print is machined. 
     
     
         17 . The artificial gemstone of  claim 16 , wherein the doublet includes a faceted crown and a faceted pavilion. 
     
     
         18 . The artificial gemstone of  claim 17 , wherein the doublet include a girdle region, and the sublimated print is in the girdle region. 
     
     
         19 . The artificial gemstone of  claim 18 , wherein the sublimated print extends across the entirety of the girdle region. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial gemstone of  claim 19 , wherein each of the base body, the second body, and the sublimated print is translucent.