Method and apparatus for composite gemstones

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating unique gemstones is provided. The method comprises the steps of optically contacting the gemstones of interest followed by a heat treatment of the composite gemstone. The heat treatment step increases the bond strength and therefore the resistance of the bond to reversal. In one aspect of the invention, a composite gem is fabricated by bonding a naturally occurring gem to an artificial gem to form a single composite gemstone of large size that outwardly appears to be a single natural gem. The composite gem may be fabricated at a fraction of the cost of a natural stone of the same size. In another aspect of the invention, an intensely colored natural stone is bonded to a colorless or lightly colored artificial stone. This composite retains the intense color associated with the natural stone while enjoying the brilliance, depth, and size resulting from the combination of stones. In another aspect of the invention, various composite gemstones are fabricated using a variety of stones of both natural and artificial origin. The stones may be layered with two, three, or more layers. The composite gem may either take the form of a simple layered gem, or the composite gem may be in the form of a variety of three-dimensional shapes. In another aspect of the invention, the composite gem includes an engraved pattern at one or more internal gem interfaces. The engraving is completed prior to bonding the stones together and may convey either a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image.