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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16 / 211,453, filed on Dec. 6, 2018, and titled “Methods of Making Artificial Gemstones Using Sublimation Printing, and Artificial Gemstones Made Therewith,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to the field of artificial gemstones. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods of making artificial gemstones using sublimation printing, and artificial gemstones made therewith.BACKGROUND[0003]Fashion jewelry has become a big market in the recent years. People like to purchase jewelry just based on the extrinsic value, and many do not care if natural gemstones are used. Fashion jewelry is typically produced at very low cost using artificial gemstones, including both translucent gemstones (e.g., synthetics and / or simulants of diamond, ruby, emerald sapphire, topaz, and alexan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure is about a method for making an artificial gemstone by creating a sublimated print on a translucent or transparent base body using sublimation dye inks. A second body is then affixed to the base body to create a doublet that sandwiches the sublimated print between the two bodies. The resulting doublet has an exterior that can be machined to final shape. The technical effects of this patent text include the ability to create high-quality, artificial gems that mimic natural stones.

Problems solved by technology

However, the quality of simulated gemstones is usually not very good.

Moreover, the consistency of colors in conventional multipletting techniques is dependent on the quality of the sprayed coating, and a slight change in the process due to human error can change the colors considerably.

This leads to simulated gemstones that lack consistency and, therefore, that lack quality.

However, the look of these simulants is often not accurate relative to the finished natural gemstones they are trying to imitate.

In addition, the quality is often poor.

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