Jewelry article with extender

Abstract

A jewelry article is disclosed. The jewelry article includes a main segment configured to loop around a body part and having a first and second end. A ring with a center opening is attached to the second end of the main segment. An extender has a first and second end, wherein the first end of the main segment is attached to the second end of the extender and the first end of the extender passes through and extends beyond the center opening of the ring, providing a variable circumference loop. The jewelry article further includes a fastener attached to the first end of the extender, wherein the fastener is larger than the opening of the ring and cannot pass therethrough, and the fastener is configured for removeable connection to the extender or the ring. Methods of securing the jewelry article around a body part are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jewelry article for positioning circumferentially around a body part, wherein the article comprises:
 a main segment configured to loop at least partially around the body part and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   a ring attached to the second end of the main segment, said ring defining a center opening;   an extender for the main segment, configured to loop at least partially around the body part and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the main segment is attached to the second end of the extender and the first end of the extender passes through the center opening of the ring and extends beyond the ring, thereby providing a variable circumference loop defined by the distance between the ring and the location on the extender at which the extender passes through the opening of the ring; and   a fastener attached to the first end of the extender;   wherein the ring and the fastener are configured so that the fastener is larger than the opening of the ring such that it cannot pass through the ring opening, and the fastener is configured for removeable connection of the fastener to the extender or the ring.   
     
     
         2 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment includes a plurality of precious or semi-precious stones. 
     
     
         3 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment is a bracelet or necklace. 
     
     
         4 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment is a wrist band for a watch or other wrist device. 
     
     
         5 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment is a metal band. 
     
     
         6 . The jewelry article of  claim 5 , wherein the metal band comprises a precious metal. 
     
     
         7 . The jewelry article of  claim 6 , wherein the precious metal is gold or silver. 
     
     
         8 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment comprises a plurality of metal wire links connected to form a chain. 
     
     
         9 . The jewelry article of  claim 8 , wherein the metal wire links comprise a precious metal. 
     
     
         10 . The jewelry article of  claim 9 , wherein the precious metal is gold or silver. 
     
     
         11 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the extender comprises a plurality of metal wire links connected to form a chain. 
     
     
         12 . The jewelry article of  claim 11 , wherein the metal wire links comprise a precious metal. 
     
     
         13 . The jewelry article of  claim 12 , wherein the precious metal is gold or silver. 
     
     
         14 . The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the main segment and extender comprise connected metal wire chain links identical in size and composition. 
     
     
         15 . The jewelry article of  claim 8 , configured as a wrist bracelet, ankle bracelet, necklace or belly chain. 
     
     
         16 . A jewelry article for positioning circumferentially around a body part, wherein the article comprises:
 a main segment configured to loop around a body part and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   an extender for the main segment, configured to loop around the body part and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the main segment is attached to the second end of the extender;   a fastener attached to the first end of the extender; and   a ring attached to the second end of the main segment, said ring defining a center opening;   wherein the extender and the fastener are configured to pass through the center opening of the ring, and the extender is configured for removeable connection of the fastener to the extender or the ring.   
     
     
         17 . A method of securing a jewelry article around a body part, comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning the circumferential loop of the jewelry article of  claim 1  around a body part for which it is configured;   b. pulling the extender and the fastener of the jewelry article to draw more of the extender through the ring and shorten the loop circumference to a desired degree of snugness;   c. doubling back the extender and fastener in the direction of the ring; and   d. removably connecting the fastener to an opening on the extender closer to the ring or to the ring itself, to which the fastener is configured to removably attach.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the body part is a wrist, ankle, neck or waist. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the main segment and extender comprise connected metal wire chain links. 
     
     
         20 . A method of securing a jewelry article around a body part, comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning the jewelry article of  claim 16  around a body part for which it is configured;   b. passing the extender and the fastener of the jewelry article through the ring on the end of the main segment at the opposite end of the jewelry article;   c. pulling the extender and the fastener of the jewelry article to draw more of the extender through the ring to shorten the loop circumference to a desired degree of snugness;   d. doubling back the extender and fastener in the direction of the ring; and   e. removably connecting the fastener to an opening on the extender closer to the ring, or to the ring itself, to which the fastener is configured to removably attach.