Crystal Volume Having a Decorative Dichroic Visual Effect

• US 20080096011A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baccarat (Starwood Capital Group Global LLC)
• Original Assignee: Baccarat (Starwood Capital Group Global LLC)
• Inventors: Gaillard Allemand, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 8,518,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/332
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/36 at least one coating being a metal
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3621 one layer at least containing a fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3649 made of metals other than silver
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3657 the multilayer coating having optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3684 the multilayer coating being used for decoration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/42 consisting of particles only
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/734 comprising an alternation of high and low refractive indexes
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/92 Coating of crystal glass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24975 No layer or component greater than 5 mils thick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension

Abstract

The invention concerns a volume of transparent amorphous vitreous material such as crystal or glass whereof one part of the outer surface is coated with successive layers of metal or ceramic particles designed to provide it with a decorative dichroic visual effect when said part is observed through a volume of the transparent material. The succession of layers observes the following scheme: at least one alternation of two transparent layers of metal and/or ceramic particles in contact with the crystal; then a final reflecting opaque layer consisting of metal.

Claims

1. A volume of transparent amorphous vitreous material of the crystal or glass type, whereof a portion of the external surface is coated with successive layers of metal or ceramic particles designed to provide it with a decorative dichroic visual effect when said portion is observed through the volume of the transparent material,

wherein the succession of the layers observes the following scheme:

at least one alternation of two transparent layers of metal and/or ceramic particles in contact with the crystal;

then

a final reflecting opaque layer consisting of metal.

2. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the metal forming the final opaque layer is titanium (Ti).

3. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the metal forming the final opaque layer is chromium (Cr).

4. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the succession of layers includes one or two alternations of two layers of metal or ceramic particles.

5. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the alternation(s) of layers each consist(s) of a pair formed with a SiO2 layer and a TiO2 layer.

6. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the alternation(s) of layers each consist(s) of a pair formed with an MgF2 layer and Cr layer.

7. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the first opaque layer has a thickness larger than or equal to 50 nm.

8. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first layer of each alternation is between 50 and 500 nm.

9. The crystal volume according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the second layer of each alternation is between 90 and 400 nm.

10. A jewel including a crystal volume according to claim 1.

11. Jewels according to claim 1, wherein the crystal volume is a cabochon on a surface of which is applied the succession of layers.