John J Kennedy of Kennedy Designs in Massachusetts introduced his patented jewelry designs featuring cylindrical gemstones, marketed under the brand name Cylettes, at the recent JA New York Show.

            Mr. Kennedy channel-set the cylindrical colored gemstones in jewelry pieces. He hopes to negotiate licensing agreements with several manufacturers to produce the Cylette jewelry, while retaining the right to make and distribute cut for large sizes is not new, Mr. Kennedy said his patent covers the smaller sizes of 1.3 to 2.4mm in diameter in channel-set mountings. Apertures cut into the sides of the gold findings allow light to travel through the Cylettes similar to the way light moves through a glass thread in the science of fiber optics. The result is an even, smooth glow that does not contain the white spectral highlights produced by conventional cuts.

            The Cylettes are also set in jewelry pieces without the apertures, which gives a solid, flowing look similar to invisible settings.

            Pieces in the Cylette line retail for US$800-$7,000.