Basket-Type Gemstone Setting

Abstract

Provided is, among other things, a gemstone setting that includes a basket portion and a retaining member. The basket portion has: 1) a top peripheral structure, 2) a bottom peripheral structure, and 3) a support structure connecting the top peripheral structure and the bottom peripheral structure. The retaining member includes a retaining structure and two inserts, with the retaining structure extending between and upwardly above the inserts and also extending inwardly. A pair of openings for accommodating the inserts is provided in the basket portion. The inserts are disposed within the openings, and the retaining member is permanently bonded to the attachment structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gemstone setting, comprising:
 (a) a basket portion having: (i) a top peripheral structure, (ii) a bottom peripheral structure, and (iii) a support structure connecting said top peripheral structure and said bottom peripheral structure; and   (b) a retaining member that includes a retaining structure and two inserts, with the retaining structure extending between and upwardly above said inserts and also extending inwardly,   wherein a pair of openings for accommodating said inserts is provided in said basket portion, and   wherein said inserts are disposed within said openings, and said retaining member is permanently bonded to said attachment structure.   
     
     
         2 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said openings are formed in a top portion of said support structure. 
     
     
         3 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 2 , wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of elongated segments, and wherein each of said openings is formed in a top end of one of said elongated segments. 
     
     
         4 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of elongated segments, each including a section that is angled upwardly between the bottom peripheral structure and the top peripheral structure. 
     
     
         5 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said support structure consists solely of a plurality of elongated segments extending between the bottom peripheral structure and the top peripheral structure. 
     
     
         6 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the bottom peripheral structure and the top peripheral structure is a closed shape formed from an elongated element. 
     
     
         7 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 6 , wherein said elongated element has a substantially uniform width around said closed shape. 
     
     
         8 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said basket portion further comprises a second retaining member that is integrally formed with at least one of (a) said top peripheral structure or (b) at least a portion of said support structure. 
     
     
         9 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 8 , wherein said second retaining member comprises a second retaining structure that, when in use, visually is substantially identical to the retaining structure. 
     
     
         10 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining structure is configured as a single elongated segment. 
     
     
         11 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 10 , wherein said single elongated segment has substantially uniform width across its entire length. 
     
     
         12 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member is permanently bonded to said attachment structure by at least one of welding or soldering. 
     
     
         13 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said top peripheral structure occupies substantially more area than said bottom peripheral structure. 
     
     
         14 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said basket portion has been integrally formed as a single unitary piece. 
     
     
         15 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gemstone disposed within said basket portion and held in place by said retaining member. 
     
     
         16 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 15 , wherein said top peripheral structure has a shape that conforms to a perimeter of said gemstone. 
     
     
         17 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 16 , wherein said perimeter is beneath a top surface of said gemstone. 
     
     
         18 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said inserts extend at least approximately parallel to each other. 
     
     
         19 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein said inserts are configured as posts. 
     
     
         20 . A gemstone setting according to  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of said basket portion is substantially flat.