Tag Archives: milwaukee jewelers

20 Nov

Green Diamonds | Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Gemologists rank green diamonds as among the most rare of the naturally colored diamonds. These marvelously beautiful and unique diamonds have been exposed to cosmic radiation over its million year formation. Other colored diamonds tend to have an additional element such as hydrogen as an inclusion. Please note, holding a green diamond will not make your finger fall off as the radioactive half-life has long since passed by the time it has been found. Diamonds with the natural colors of green, blue or red account for less that 0.07% of all diamonds examined by the GIA.

Green Diamond Formation

As we mentioned before, green diamonds form due to radioactive materials being present during its formation. Moreover, these materials could be uranium or thorium. Geologist have concluded that radiation penetrates the diamond crystal and can knock electrons or carbon atoms out of the specific crystal lattice. This often appears as a shallow “green” skin on the outside of the diamond, but uniform green throughout the diamond can exist although it is much rarer.

Furthermore, because electrons and carbon atoms are displaced in the crystal lattice, the way light enters and is refracted is affected. Hence the green portion of the visible color spectrum is reflected while the rest are absorbed and gives the diamond that appearance.

Additionally, diamonds can also have structural defects due to the presence of nitrogen, hydrogen or nickel atoms that may give the diamond its green appearance. However, natural irradiation is much more common.

green diamonds colors

Fancy Color Scale:  

As for all natural colored diamonds, they follow a similar color grading scale: faint green, very light green, light green, fancy light green, fancy green and fancy intense, vivid and deep. For green diamonds, the more intense, vivid or deep the natural color is, the more expensive the stone is.

Diamond cutting:

As we mentioned before, often times green diamond color is very shallow, so this presents diamond cutters with a problem. How to maximize the natural green color in an exceptionally rare diamond.

Famous Green Diamonds

In fact, Christie’s Auction sold the Aurora Green diamond in 2016 for $16.2 million. The sale made it the most expensive green diamond as well as the largest Fancy Vivid Natural Green Diamond.

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we pride ourselves on being South Eastern Wisconsin’s go-to jewelry store for all natural diamond jewelry. Stop by our beautiful Whitefish Bay location just north of Milwaukee to see our beautiful selection of diamond necklaces, rings, and bracelets! Additionally, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers also carries GIA certified diamond engagement rings.

02 Aug

Marquise Diamonds

marquise diamonds - victoria beckham engagement ring

One of the most unique and definitive engagement ring diamond cuts are marquise diamonds. Jewelers and fans also refer to marquise cuts as football cuts, cat-eye cuts and boat cuts because of the highly elongated elliptical shape. This 58 faceted diamond cut is actually a vintage style and looks great on long, slender fingers. Furthermore, this romantic cut breathes an aristocratic air and carries a royal pedigree.

According to the legend, marquise diamonds date back to the 18th century where “King Louis XV commissioned a jewelry to design a diamond cut that resembled the lips of Jean Antoinette Poisson, his mistress”. Furthermore, these diamonds also signify a rank just below duke, where individuals would actually wear these diamonds to signify said rank.

Additionally, gemologist originally design marquise cuts for diamonds, however jewelers now use these cuts with emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Custom Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers
Custom Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Marquise Diamonds – TIPS

  • Marquise cuts are a fairly extreme cut when it comes to diamond cuts, so they are susceptible to chipping, so you may want to look for a mounting with protective prongs along the ends of the diamond.
  • A higher cut grade is important for the marquise diamond. Typically, elongated shapes tend to form a bow tie effect in the middle of the stone. Additionally, the symmetry of marquise cuts are very important.
  • One noticeable benefit is that marquise cuts tend to make the center stone look larger.

Do you like marquise diamonds? You know who else does too? Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, Ashley Simpson and THE Catherine Zeta Jones.

Ashlee Simpson Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
Ashlee Simpson Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we can create the perfect marquise diamond (or other precious gemstone) engagement ring. Additionally, stop by our Whitefish Bay or Milwaukee location to talk with our in-house gemologist.

07 Jan

Solitaire Engagement Rings

Martin Flyer - Flyer Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring

Solitaire engagement rings pack a lot of significance and beauty, within its unassuming and simple designs. Structurally, a solitaire engagement ring only has two parts, the center stone and the setting, both can be customized to your specifications (i.e. marquise cut diamond set in platinum to a princess cut set in 14k yellow gold) however the ring still remains understated. At Schwanke-Kasten, we are by no means saying that is a bad thing either!

A solitaire diamond ring places the focus on the center stone, like your love for your one “true rock”. Additionally, the ring, being a shape with no beginning and end and a diamond, a pure carbon structure material, symbolizes pure and endless love for your partner. Furthermore, this style of ring is a perfect option for any budget!

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers custom diamond solitaire engagement ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we love this timeless design for its ability to showcase the true shine of the diamond ring.

Buying Guide – Solitaire Engagement Rings

Here is a list of things to consider when looking at diamond solitaire engagement rings:

  • The Diamond (or center stone)
    • Shape (Cut) – Oval, round, princess, pear, emerald, etc.
    • Color – The more colorless the better, when shopping for traditional white diamonds
    • Clarity – the higher grade, the more pure (or transparent) the stone is
    • Carat – The size of the diamond
  • The Band
    • Metal – 14k, 18k or platinum? Yellow, Rose or White?
    • Width – How wide should the ring be
  • The Setting – bezel set, channel set or prong set? Furthermore, be sure to consider whether your future partner wants more sparkle or a more discrete or low diamond height.
rahaminov diamond engagement ring
Rahaminov Diamond Engagement Ring – Tapered with Diamonds

We recommend stopping by our store in either Whitefish Bay or in Milwaukee to get an idea of styles and prices and then work with one of our specialists to find an engagement ring that is truly reflective of the special bond between you and your partner!

08 Nov

Holiday Proposals

Holiday Proposals with Schwanke-Kasten jewelers

Holiday proposals  mark a special time when family and good friends gather together. If you are out-of-town with your significant other, and are coming home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, all are great occasions to “pop” the question. Whether you have everyone around the table for dinner or dancing the night away at a New Year’s Eve party, a quick “clink-clink” with a spoon on a glass gets people’s attention.

Not sure where to start in selecting an engagement ring … go to your love’s Pinterest page to see all the romantic pics of items they’ve been collecting. Next checkout our online engagement collection or stop by one of our stores. If you are looking for something completely unique, bring your ideas to our Whitefish Bay location and our onsite gemologists will help make your dream a reality. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers carries a wide array of renowned ring designers, styles and materials.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, a locally owned store since 1899, has a full-service sales staff to assist you. Whether you are in the Milwaukee area or coming to town for the holidays just give us a call. We carry an expanded selection of ready-to-go ring designs; however, if you are looking to have a mounting created, the process takes about 3 weeks or so.

Make the holidays of 2018 something you both will remember forever with a holiday proposla!