EP-4736703-A1 - IMPROVED LARGE JEWEL SETTING FOR RETENTION IN AN EAR LOBE

EP4736703A1EP 4736703 A1EP4736703 A1EP 4736703A1EP-4736703-A1

Abstract

A large jewel setting (1) for retention in an ear lobe (100) includes a jewel basket (10) and a retention post (12). The jewel basket preferably includes a divot (14), at least one peripheral retention member (15) and at least one top retention member (17). A bottom (25) of the at least one peripheral retention member has a flat bottom surface (21). The divot includes a cone shape. An inner surface of the divot includes a cone shape, which is sized to receive a bottom of a jewel (104). A top of the divot extends downward from the flat bottom surface. A bottom of the divot is attached to a top of the retention post. The at least one top retention member extends upward from the at least one peripheral retention member.

Inventors

Reardon, Stephanie

Assignees

Refined Relics Jewelers LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (20)

A jewel basket for retention of a jewel, comprising: • at least one peripheral retention member includes an inner perimeter and a flat bottom surface; • a divot extends downward from said flat bottom surface, said divot includes a divot inner surface, a bottom of the jewel is capable of extending through said flat bottom surface and into said divot inner surface, a bottom of said divot inner surface is located below said flat bottom surface; and • a top retention member extends upward from said at least one peripheral retention member, wherein a top end of said top retention member is capable of being bent over to retain the jewel.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 1, wherein said top retention member includes at least two prongs.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 2, wherein said at least one peripheral retention member includes a lower belt and an upper belt, said at least two prongs are attached to said lower belt and said upper belt.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 3, wherein said at least two prongs extend above a top of said at least one peripheral retention member.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 1, wherein said divot includes at least two base rods, one end of said at least two base rods are joined to each other at a bottom end, an opposite end of said at least two base rods extend outward from each other, said at least two base rods are attached to at least one peripheral retention member.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 5, wherein said at least two prongs are aligned with said at least two base rods.
The jewel basket of claim 1, wherein said at least two prongs extend above a height of a jewel placed in said jewel basket.
A jewel basket for retention of a jewel, comprising: • at least one peripheral retention member includes an inner perimeter and a flat bottom surface, said inner perimeter is capable of receiving an outer perimeter of the jewel; • a divot extends downward from said flat bottom surface, said divot includes an outer cone shape, said divot includes a divot inner surface, a bottom of the jewel is capable of extending through said flat bottom surface and into said divot inner surface, a bottom of said divot inner surface is located below said flat bottom surface; and • a top retention member extends upward from said at least one peripheral retention member, wherein a top end of said top retention member is capable of being bent over to retain the jewel.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 8, wherein said top retention member includes at least two prongs.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 9, wherein said at least one peripheral retention member includes a lower belt and an upper belt, said at least two prongs are attached to said lower belt and said upper belt.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 10, wherein said at least two prongs extend above a top of said at least one peripheral retention member.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 8, wherein said divot includes a at least two base rods, one end of said at least two base rods are joined to each other at a bottom end, an opposite end of said at least two base rods extend outward from each other, said at least two base rods are joined to said flat bottom surface.
The jewel basket for retention of a jewel of claim 12, wherein said at least two prongs are aligned with said at least two base rods.
The jewel basket of claim 8, wherein said at least two prongs extend above a height of a jewel placed in said jewel basket.
The jewel basket of claim 8, wherein said jewel basket is fabricated from a casting.
An improved jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe, comprising: • at least one peripheral retention member includes an inner perimeter and a flat bottom surface; • a divot extends downward from said flat bottom surface, said divot includes an outer cone shape, a bottom of the jewel is capable of extending through said flat bottom surface and into said divot inner surface, a bottom of said divot inner surface is located below said flat bottom surface; • a top retention member extends upward from said at least one peripheral retention member, wherein a top end of said top retention member is capable of being bent over to retain the jewel; and • a retention post is attached to a bottom of said divot, wherein said retention post is capable of being inserted into ear hole in an ear lobe.
The improved jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe of claim 16, wherein said top retention member includes at least two prongs.
The improved jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe of claim 17, wherein said at least one peripheral retention member includes a lower belt and an upper belt, said at least two prongs are attached to said lower belt and said upper belt.
The improved jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe of claim 18, wherein said at least two prongs extend above a top of said at least one peripheral retention member.
The improved jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe of claim 16 wherein said divot includes at least two base rods, one end of said at least two base rods are joined to each other at a bottom end, an opposite end of said at least two base rods extend outward from each other, said at least two base rods are joined to said flat bottom surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to jewelry and more specifically to an improved large jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe, which allows a large jewel to be retained in the ear lobe, while keeping the ear lobe vertical. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art The cost of lab manufactured diamonds has been drastically reduced due to the oversupply of lab diamond manufacturing equipment. Consequently, the cost of lab manufactured diamonds is now within a price range of more consumers than ever before. However, larger diamonds have greater weight and will bend or flex an ear lobe with the current designs of jewel settings. Since the introduction of the stud earring more than a thousand years ago, the jewelry industry has acknowledged the need for a solution to the issue of "droopy" or down-turned stud earrings, which do not remain vertical in an ear lobe, which provides an unsightly appearance. In response to this challenge, Martini stud mountings were developed as a possible remedy. While the Martini stud mounting is innovative, its effectiveness is limited to smaller stones. Larger stones, due to their weight, exceed the support capabilities of the cone-shaped mountings, resulting in issues that are as problematic as those associated with traditional basket-shaped mountings. The improved large jewel setting addresses this issue by leveraging the malleable nature of the earlobe, allowing it to contour and support larger stones while providing a stable and rigid base. The results are remarkable. Applicant's improved large jewel settings are designed to be lower-set, more comfortable, and offer enhanced brilliance compared to any other mountings available today. Furthermore, preliminary market research has revealed another significant need among individuals with loose or enlarged ear piercing holes. Martini mountings offer minimal support while mounted to the ear. In contrast, applicant's improved large jewel setting not only provides the necessary support but also naturally centers the studs within loose or enlarged piercings, effectively resolving previous concerns. Applicant, has received positive feedback from friends and family who have been informed of the improved large jewel setting. The invention has led to numerous requests for orders. With the lab-grown diamond market making luxury jewelry more accessible than ever, the impact of the improved large jewel setting on the diamond-stud market is clear. The improved large jewel setting is designed to be suitable for individuals of all ages and budgets, and it is believed the invention will soon become an essential staple in jewelry collections worldwide. Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for an improved large jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe, which allows a large jewel to be retained in the ear lobe, while keeping the ear lobe vertical. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a large jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe, which allows a large jewel to be retained in the ear lobe (of a human being), while keeping the ear lobe vertical. The improved large jewel setting for retention in an ear lobe (improved jewel setting) preferably includes a jewel basket and a retention post. The jewel basket preferably includes a divot, at least one peripheral retention member and at least one top retention member. A bottom of the at least one peripheral retention member includes a flat bottom surface. The divot includes a cone shape. The cone shape will fill an ear piercing that has become too large to prevent radially sliding of the improved jewel setting in the loose or enlarged ear piercing. An inner surface of the divot includes a cone shape, which is sized to receive a bottom of a jewel. A bottom of the divot is attached to a top of the retention post. The divot preferably includes at least two base rods, but other designs may also be used. One end of the at least two base rods are joined to each other at a bottom thereof. An opposite end of the at least two base rods extend outward and away from each other. A top of the at least two base rods (divot) are joined to the bottom of the at least one peripheral retention member. The at least one peripheral retention member preferably has a round shape, but other shapes may also be used. A top surface (bottom of the inner cone) of a junction between the bottoms of the at least two base rods is lower than the flat bottom surface of the peripheral retention member, such that a portion of the jewel is retained in a piercing of an ear lobe. A bottom of the at least one top retention member extends upward from the at least one peripheral retention member. The at least one peripheral retention member preferably includes at least one belt, but other designs may be used, including a double belt, an ultra-light die struck, hidden-halo, halo, stylized basket, stylized bezel, dangles and drops. The top retention member prefe