CN1802113A - Method for setting a stone in a metal element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for setting a girdle (9) in a piece of metal (1), said method comprising the following steps: at least one hole (2) is pierced in the piece of metal (1) for receiving the stone, a stone (5) is placed in each hole (2), a tool (6) is applied perpendicularly to the surface of the piece of metal and close to the periphery of each hole (2), the end of said tool (6) having a tip for pushing back a lip of metal onto the girdle (9) of the stone, and forming at least one imprint comprising at least one light-reflecting facet.

Description

Method for mounting gemstones in metal pieces

The invention relates to a method of installing gemstones in metal pieces.

Mounting gemstones in metal pieces is well known in the jewelry and watch arts.

In one conventional method, the operator applies force obliquely to a carving knife against the surface of the metal piece, deforming the surface. This causes the metal to deform to create a retaining ring that covers the perimeter of the stone, making the stone immovable within the metal piece.

While this method is generally satisfactory, the flanging caused by the deformation of the metal detracts from the smooth evenness of the final surface of the jewelry.

Another disadvantage of this method is that it can only be used for mounting gemstones in metals that are somewhat malleable, such as gold or silver. Conversely, if the method is used on a hard metal, such as titanium, it will be found that the beveling action of the engraving knife on the surface of the metal part will not form a stop ring because the hard metal will fracture and chip.

Another disadvantage of this installation method is that it is inevitable that in the case of a pavement installation, which means that many gemstones are installed side by side on the surface of a piece of jewelry or a watch, the metal area bounded by the gemstones appears dull, Cannot help set off gemstones.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for mounting gemstones in a hard metal piece such as titanium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting method that advantageously displays gemstones.

According to the invention, the method for mounting at least one gemstone with a bezel in a metal piece comprises the following steps:

- drilling at least one hole in the metal piece for receiving a gemstone,

- place a gem in each hole,

- applying a force perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece and near the periphery of the holes, said tool having a pointed end for pushing the flange of metal onto the bezel of the stone and forming at least one A depression comprising at least one light reflective facet.

Thus, according to the method of the present invention, multiple gemstones can be mounted in an extremely hard metal because the vertical action of a tool causes deformation and flange formation of the metal. Furthermore, the recess forming a flange has at least one facet, giving an additional visual effect to the mounting according to the invention.

In one possible form, the tool is used manually.

In another possible formation, the tool is used mechanically.

The invention also relates to a tool for carrying out the method, which tool has at one of its ends at least one surface terminating in a tip.

There are several shapes that the tool can take as follows:

- the tool has at its one end a taper terminating in a tip;

- the tool has at one of its ends a tetrahedral shape terminating in a tip;

- the tool has at one end thereof several facets that converge to a tip;

- The tool has a radius of 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

The invention also relates to a product such as jewelry or a timepiece comprising a metal piece on which at least one gemstone with a bezel is mounted, said product being characterized in that it exhibits at least one depression around at least one gemstone, the The depression has a facet pressed into the surface of the metal piece and forms a lip covering the rim of the gemstone.

Preferably, the entire surface of the metal piece delimited by the two or more stones is embossed with depressions.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, it will be described, by way of non-limiting examples, of possible ways of carrying out the method of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1-3 illustrate the various steps of performing the method;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a product manufactured by the method;

Figures 5-8 show several possible embodiments of a tool for carrying out the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a metal part 1 with a hole 2 as is well known in the art of mounting in a sectional view. The hole 2 comprises a conical seat 3 and a cylindrical portion 2 close to the surface of the metal part 1 . As shown in the figure, the depth of the conical socket 3 on which the gemstone is placed from the surface of the metal piece 1 is very shallow, about 0.1 to 0.2 mm.

Figure 2 shows the stone 5 placed in the hole 2 before starting the installation. FIG. 2 shows a tool 6 approached in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the metal part 1 . In FIG. 2 , tool 6 is shown having a tapered end terminating in a tip 12 .

Turning to FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the tool is applied to the surface of the metal piece 1 . During this use of the tool, material is pressed out from the tip of the tool 6 so that the material of the metal piece 1 is deformed and moved to form a bulge covering the bezel 9 of the stone 5 when the stone is in the hole. Edge 8. Thus, this flange 8 makes the stone 5 immovable in this hole.

The next step in the method is to use the tool 6 to form a plurality of new depressions 11 in the surface of the metal piece 1 bounded by the precious stones 5 .

Referring to Figure 4, this figure shows a plurality of depressions 11 created in the surface between the gemstones. In the embodiment described, these recesses 11 have facets, in this example four facets. The recesses 11 close to the stone hold the stone in place, while the function of the other recesses is to reflect light.

Figures 5-8 illustrate several embodiments of tools. These embodiments, although not limiting, all have in common the feature that the end of the tool includes a point 12 at its distal end. Applying a force perpendicular to the metal surface, the tip 12 deforms even the hardest metal to form a flange 8 .

Figure 5 shows a tool with a pyramidal end.

Figure 6 shows a tool with a quadriplanar end.

Figure 7 shows a tool with a tapered end.

Figure 8 shows a tool with four facets at its end.

The described processing has many advantages. Can be used to mount gemstones in extremely hard metals such as titanium because the tools used to deform the metal and create a bead on the bezel of the gemstone act perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece that will hold the gemstone.

Also, the fact that the tool has an end that creates a depression to a smooth surface has the added effect of keeping the gemstone in place as the depression also reflects light.

Adding a plurality of depressions of this type between the stones creates a reflective surface between the stones, which advantageously reveals their brilliance. The matte surfaces that traditional techniques produce in pavement installations are gone in this invention, replaced by light-reflecting surfaces.

Finally, the action of the tool produces no burrs, with the result that a stone or clock mounted in this manner will not snag or snag other objects.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is that it can be used to mount stones in inner surfaces or in uneven surfaces.

Finally, the surfaces produced by the method according to the invention have a continuous appearance which causes the surfaces of the mounted stones to appear to be aligned in rows and rows.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example. Rather, it includes all embodiments of the invention.

For example, other shapes of tools are contemplated. Obviously precious, semi-precious or fake gemstones of all types can be mounted with this method.

It will also be appreciated that while the invention is particularly suited for installation in hard metals such as titanium, it may also be used in metals such as gold, silver or steel.

Claims (10)

1. A method for installing at least one gemstone (5) with a bezel (9) in a metal piece (1), said method comprising the steps of: - drilling at least one hole (2) in the metal piece (1) for receiving the stone; - place a jewel (5) in each hole (2); - applying force perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece and close to the periphery of each hole (2) on a tool (6) having a tip (12) at the end of the The rim (8) pushes back onto the bezel (9) of the stone and forms at least one depression (11) including at least one reflective surface. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tool is used manually. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the tool is used mechanically. 4. A tool (6) for carrying out the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it has at its end at least one converging surface terminating in a tip (12) . 5. Tool (6) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the tool (6) has at its end a taper terminating in a tip. 6. The tool (6) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the tool (6) has at its end a tetraplanar shape terminating in a tip. 7. Tool (6) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the tool (6) has at its end several facets which converge at a point. 8. A tool (6) as claimed in any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that the tip of the tool has a radius of 0.2 to 0.5 mm. 9. A product of jewelry or a watch comprising a metal piece (1) on which at least one gemstone (5) with a bezel is placed, said product being characterized in that it rests on at least one gemstone (5) The periphery of 1 shows a depression with a facet pressed into the surface of the metal piece (1) and forming a bead covering the bezel (9) of the gemstone (5). 10. The product as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the entire surface of the metal piece (1) bounded by two or more precious stones is pressed into depressions (11).

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