Grooved Gemstone Mounting for Secure Light Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gemstone mounting methods either compromise the brilliance and aesthetic qualities or provide insecure attachment, leading to potential loss.
Innovation Solution
A gemstone design featuring a girdle dividing the stone into a pavilion and a crown with a continuous groove, allowing for secure attachment to a collet without obstructing light return, using laser-cut facets and various groove geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional prongs or claws are used to hold the gemstone, then the gemstone is secured in place, but the prongs may snag onto clothing or bend and wear away, causing the gemstone to fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional prong or claw components from the mounting system and replaces them with a groove-based retention mechanism integrated directly into the gemstone structure, eliminating the harmful snagging and wear issues associated with protruding metal elements
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using protruding elements (prongs) to hold the gemstone, the patent uses a recessed groove cut into the gemstone that receives a mounting rim, inverting the traditional approach of having the setting material protrude rather than the gemstone having an integrated retention feature
2Reliability
If a bezel or rub-over setting is used to hold the gemstone securely, then the gemstone is held in place, but the visibility of the full diameter of the gemstone is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gemstone structure by cutting a groove that divides the girdle area, allowing the mounting rim to engage with the groove while leaving the majority of the gemstone surface exposed and visible, thus securing the gemstone without impeding its visual presentation
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is localized to a specific groove feature on the gemstone rather than requiring a surrounding bezel structure, allowing the majority of the gemstone surface to remain exposed for optimal visibility while providing secure attachment at the localized groove position
3Reliability
If a tension setting is used to hold the gemstone at opposite ends, then the gemstone is secured, but a portion of the gemstone is obscured to locate the stone and the tension relaxes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for tension-based mounting structures that obscure gemstone portions by using a groove-based mechanical interlock system where the mounting rim engages with the groove, providing secure attachment without requiring visible tensioning elements or obscuring the gemstone surface
4Reliability
If grooves or notches are cut into the pavilion to mate with protruding wedges, then the gemstone can be secured, but the wedges appear as inclusions that impede light return and affect aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting rim as an intermediary component that engages with the groove cut into the pavilion, transferring the attachment function from visible metal wedges (which caused aesthetic issues) to a rim structure that can be positioned to minimize visual impact while maintaining secure attachment through the groove interface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a gemstone comprising a girdle dividing the gemstone into a pavilion and a crown having a table surface; a tier of facets cut into the pavilion at a position immediately below the girdle; and a continuous groove. The groove facilitates mounting to a collet having a mounting rim. The continuous groove is located in the tier of the facets cut into the pavilion. The placement of the tier of facets and continuous groove does not obstruct light return.