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!

01 Oct

Three-Stone Engagement Rings

three-stone engagement rings

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we understand that the amount of engagement ring styles, materials and dozens of other factors can be overwhelming. Therefore, we thought we’d breakdown some of our favorite styles starting with the gorgeous three-stone engagement rings.

Three-Stone Engagement Rings Symbolism

The tri-stone engagement ring has been popularized by its symbolism; either signifying a relationships past, present and future, friendship, love and fidelity or even religious implications. Furthermore, this symbolism gives the engagement ring that extra edge of significance and personalization. A three-stone ring gives you still gives you a substantial amount of flexibility in terms of style.

Schwanke Kasten Engagement Rings

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers Sapphire & Diamond Engagement Rings

Take our Schwanke-Kasten Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring for example. Should your fiancé-to-be be born in September or you plan on “popping the question” in September.

Rahaminov Engagement Rings

Three Stone Diamond Halo Engagement Ring set in 18k White Gold by Rahaminov

While many three stone rings use princess cut diamonds, we carry a beautiful oval-cut three stone ring by Rahaminov that features halos around each stone and a 1.01 carat, d-color and SI1-clarity center stone diamond set in 18k white gold.

Naledi Engagement Rings

trista-diamond engagement rings

In addition, diamonds on the shanks of the ring can give the engagement ring a little extra sparkle. Our Naledi Design’s Trista Engagement Ring perfectly showcases this feature by utilizing 0.26 total carat weight of diamonds to accompany the three stones.

Martin Flyer Engagement Rings

martin flyer three stone engagement ring - milwaukee

However, if simplicity is your speed, the Martin Flyer Flyerfit™ Three Stone Ring might be a perfect ring for you. With 1.01 total cart weight of diamonds, this particular Martin Flyer engagement ring is ready to wear!

However, we recommend stopping by either Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to consult with our professionally trained sales team as well as to browse our full inventory of world renowned engagement ring designers. Additionally, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has an in-store GIA certified gemologist and goldsmith should you wish to fully customize an engagement ring or repurpose a family heirloom.

09 Aug

Colored Diamonds – Natural Blue

Hope Diamond - National Jeweler

It is a well-known fact that diamonds are among the rarest gemstones on Earth, naturally colored diamonds are even more so. So much so, that gemologists and geologists are still learning about how diamonds obtain color. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) just published a report on blue diamonds. The study, conducted by GIA, took place over two-years using 46 blue diamonds submitted to the GIA.

Colored Diamonds – Blue Diamonds, A GIA Study

Evan Smith, a Lead Researcher at GIA, estimates that 0.02% of mined diamonds containing the trace element boron. Scientists largely conclude boron is responsible for natural blue diamonds color. This explains why in recent auctions, blue diamonds are fetching record prices. Moreover, finding these diamonds with natural, solid inclusions is even harder.

The Process

Gemologists concluded in this article that blue diamonds form an estimated 4 times deeper in the Earth’s mantle (most form between 93 – 124 miles below in continental plates brought up by Kimberlite eruptions). Researchers hypothesize diamonds fuse with boron in the sublithospheric mantle (superdeep) from oceanic rock. Furthermore, they state oceanic rocks are subducted 410 miles or deeper over a billion years by plate techtonics!

Blue Colored Diamonds Formation

In addition, geologists make inferences from inclusions in these diamonds. This information tells gemologist about the surrounding minerals and known locations of said minerals.

01 Aug

New Website – New Brands & New Look

new website from Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

After 15 years, Schwanke-Kasten will be launching a new website. Our goal is to provide you with the best and most convenient online shopping experience, which is what this new website will allow us to do. In addition, we’ve expanded our selection of jewelry designers with exclusive selections from Graymoor Lane Designs, Dilamani, Platinum Born and FOPE.

In the bottom right corner, there is now a click to chat/text function. The function will allow us to answer your questions in real-time (during business hours). We’ve added better mobile functionality to accommodate the increasing trend of mobile searches. In addition, we’ve improved our jewelry filters to allow you to search by stone, purity, and metal color.

We hope you enjoy our new website and the updated Schwanke-Kasten experience. As always, should you have any special requests, please let us know.

10 Jul

Rahaminov Diamond Engagement Rings

Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring set in 18k White Gold by Rahaminov

Like Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Rahaminov Diamonds is a family-owned and operated business that has, for over 70 years. In fact, they have supplied the fine jewelry world rare and marvelous diamonds in the form of diamond engagement rings and incredible jewelry.

Rahaminov Emerald Cushion Cut Dangle Diamond Earrings in 18k White Gold

Award Winner – Rahaminov

Having won numerous awards, including the prestigious 2016 Grand Prize JCK Jewelers’ Choice Award, Rahaminov routinely creates rare and breathtaking diamond jewelry. This is because they expertly crafted engagement rings which highlight and enhance the diamond’s unique shape.

It is through their exquisite designs, unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail, Rahaminov Diamonds became an internationally recognized diamond house. On another note, they are based out of Los Angeles. Moreover, by showcasing their impressive inventory of rare and important diamonds, Rahaminov routinely brings their jewelry to life.

Ingrained in their mantra is the belief that the diamond is as rare as the woman who wears it. Women design Rahaminov jewelry for women. The diamond inspires the design.

Three Stone Diamond Halo Engagement Rings set in 18k White Gold by Rahaminov

By stopping by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay, you can view our beautiful collection of one-of-a-kind Rahaminov jewelry pieces. Furthermore, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ is a preferred retailer in Wisconsin. More importantly, we look forward to many years to come!  That being said, if you are not sure where to start, check out Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ article on diamond education.

Diamond engagement rings by Rahaminov

19 Apr

Bridal Shower Jewelry Gifts

Jewelry Gifts for Bridal Shower

Bridal shower jewelry gifts have changed quite a bit from their origin. Although they still remain a commonality in American weddings, we believe they have changed for the better. Historically these parties, “socialized women into the hyper-feminized traditional wife role”, according to sociologist Beth Montemurro. Nowadays, more women remain in the workforce so the “traditional” wife role and the associated gifts have changed.

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we came with several bridal shower jewelry gifts that the bride-to-be would actually use every day.

Bridal Shower Jewelry Gifts

We are firm believers of owning a solid pair of pearl earrings or a necklace. Dress them down into a casual chic look or wear them when presenting a trial, pearls are one of the most versatile pieces of jewelry you can own. Plus, they look great when she walks down the aisle!

Bridal Shower Jewelry Gifts | Pearl Drop Pendant Necklace set in 14k yellow gold

Pearl Pendant Necklace

The Pearl Pendant Necklace is a beautiful 9mm freshwater pearl pendant (17mm total) necklace set in either 14k white or yellow gold affixed to a 18” cable chain necklace. It is simple, elegant and affordable, retailing at $245.

Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings

Fresh Water Pearl Studs

Like the pearl pendant necklace, these fresh water pearl studs are another piece of absolutely fabulous jewelry. Set in 14k white gold, the 5mm fresh water pearl studs retail at $150.

Saint Christopher Medal

St. Christopher Medal

As you can tell, we thoroughly enjoy bridal jewelry that is functional and can be worn all the time.  You can engrave a St. Christopher medals to add a personal touch for the recipient. The medals are said to protect the wearer as they journey through life because he is the patron saint of safe travels. As she begins another major journey, that is marriage, a St. Christopher medal can be a perfect companion for this exciting trip. The medals are available at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in an array of sizes and colors.

Stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers today to pick up the perfect, unique, bridal shower gift! Both locations have a great selection of bridal jewelry.

12 Apr

Martin Flyer Engagement Rings

Martin Flyer - Flyer Fit - Engagement RIngs

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers is thrilled to have the iconic Martin Flyer as one of our exclusive engagement ring designers. Since 1899, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has helped Milwaukee families find the perfect engagement ring.

FlyerFit by Martin Flyer - Engagement Rings

Founded in 1945, Martin Flyer has become a renowned by jewelry designers for producing classic and bridal diamond jewelry. For more than 70 years they have stood by the motto: “The Quality You Expect, The Personal Service You Deserve.” This mantra is still a cornerstone of their focus today and resonates with Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ approach to engagement rings. They have provided generations of customers, “outstanding service, craftsmanship, and delivery of heirloom quality jewelry at competitive prices”.

Experience artisans using the finest materials handcraft Martin Flyer jewelry. Nevertheless, their pieces truly signify, “forever”. Stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay to find the timeless engagement ring that matches your everlasting love!

What makes Martin Flyer different from the others is when they create your engagement ring, they ensure that it will MATCH the wedding band. Martin Flyer patented the FLYERFIT® Technology to perfectly fit your wedding band with the engagement ring. All styles are available in platinum, as well as 14K and 18K white, yellow and rose gold.

Most importantly, we want to make shopping a breeze for you. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has a wonderful selection of designer jewelry rings for you.

08 Feb

New Engagement Rings Website

Naledi Bridal Collection at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Milwaukee

With Valentine’s Day, the second most popular day for proposals, coming up. We redesigned our Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers engagement rings website to be more intuitive.

We created an easy-to-use web page to help you understand how to select the perfect diamond engagement ring.

Start at the diamond education page, “All About Diamonds”, where briefly highlight several questions you should ask yourself before shopping. Then dive into the 4 C’s of diamond quality. The actual diamond is the bulk of your cost; therefore, it’s very important to fully understand what you are looking for when selecting a diamond.

engagement rings - schwanke-kasten jewelers

Once you have an idea of what kind of diamond you want, we recommend checking out our “Engagement Ring Mounting Ideas” page to see the different ways your beautiful diamond can be mounted into a ring setting.  While the rings showcased here represent some of our more popular styles, we encourage you to stop in at our Whitefish Bay location to see our complete engagement collection.  With an on-site GIA certified gemologist and a goldsmith we can easily make your dream ring a reality.

Have the ring? Here are some ideas on where to propose in Milwaukee.

18 Nov

Milwaukee Engagement Locations

milwaukee engagement riverfront

Once you’ve selected the engagement ring, you now need to get the ring on the finger. Fortunately for you, Milwaukee engagement locations are abundant. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we came up with some of our favorite scenic locations.

Milwaukee Engagement Locations

Lakefront

First and foremost, what is Milwaukee without the lakefront? With picturesque backdrops of both the city and Lake Michigan, you get a two for one backdrop. The Milwaukee Art Museum (built by Santiago Calatrava), Veterans Park, Lake Park and other sprawling beaches and park will give you ample opportunities and options to, “Pop the Question”.

Cream City Brick

For those who are architecture buffs: Milwaukee provides no shortage of beautiful and historic architecture given its robust industrial past and current revitalization. If there is one thing that Milwaukee is known for, architecturally, it is the Cream City Brick. The yellowish color brick adorned with many iconic Milwaukee buildings are known for their strength, which could be likened to your bond to each other.

  • The Big Four Breweries, despite their connotation of being cheap beer, also boast incredible examples of this brick and help define the city. Make sure to check out the old Schlitz and Pabst breweries. However, there are other great examples too. For the religious, you have Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and All Saints Episcopal Cathedral. There are also several iconic lighthouses in the area.
The Milwaukee River

The Milwaukee River is often forgotten due to the presence of Lake Michigan. Be one of the rare people to take advantage of this Milwaukee engagement location. Take Kadish Park in Brewer’s Hill, for example, which overlooks the East Side of Milwaukee. Travel further downstream and you’re in the heart of Milwaukee’s “Venice” aka the River Walk. Consider skipping the Bronze Fonz and focusing on the background of buildings and bascule bridges as the sun sets to the west. Go further and you’ll be in the Historic Third Ward. This is where the Milwaukee River meets Lake Michigan in a late Victorian surrounding.

If you’re not the city type, beyond Milwaukee hosts wonderful kitschy villages and towns that surround vast country landscapes and prolific lakes. In fact, Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes.

Or choose a location that shares significance to both of you!

Stop by either Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers location in Whitefish Bay or Milwaukee to pick out your gorgeous engagement ring or wedding band. Let us help you make this process as seamless and as stress-free as possible!

15 Nov

Buying An Engagement Ring

Naledi Engagement Rings at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Buying an engagement ring can seem like a scary experience. It doesn’t have to be! Before you go buying an engagement ring, the experts at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers recommend considering the following:

Buying an Engagement Ring – Budget

Budget: The golden rule has always been two month’s salary. However, we believe that you should set aside a budget that won’t leave you dead broke. We recommend setting an honest budget with the forethought that engagement rings are expensive.

Learn the 4C’s:

  • Carat Weight – This is the size of the diamond (or another precious gemstone). If your finance wants a big stone but your budget is limited, ask for a stone with a large table. While this will affect the brilliance and fire of the stone, it will make it appear larger. If you want a beautiful stone and size isn’t the issue but the budget is. Select stone just under the nearest whole carat (i.e. 1.85 carats vs. 2 carats). There tends to be a jump in price once a diamond’s size hits the nearest whole integer.
  • Color – Ranging from D – Z, D being colorless and Z being a light-yellow hue. The more colorless the diamond, the more expensive. From the visible eye, it is tough to tell the difference between colorless and near-colorless.
  • Cut – If she is more reserved or traditional, you may want to opt for a round, brilliant cut diamond. However, for a unique look, there are a whole array of fancy cuts like Ascher, emerald, marquise, pear- and even heart-shape are used for creating engagement rings. Do keep in mind, fancy cut diamonds typically are limited in the types of mountings.
  • Clarity – To the naked eye, the clarity of the diamond is often impossible to judge – sometimes even to a trained professional! We recommend, while important, that this be the last of the 4C’s to consider.

Mounting

Mounting: There are numerous types of diamond mountings that can showcase the center stone, however it is important to consider the following:

  • Will you be purchasing a matching wedding band in the future? Some mountings and diamonds are made in a way that a matching wedding band is not feasible. There are practical solutions to this, however.
  • Consider her line of work, sometimes a high mounting isn’t possible. This is especially important if she works in the medical field or works with her hands frequently.
  • If she has skin allergies, a certain skin tone or wears a particular color of jewelry, you may need to consider a specific type of precious metal.
Ring Size

Ring Size: If you can, swipe a ring that she often wears on her ring finger, then we can help you select a size for the ring. Jewelers can size up or down most engagement ring mountings one size. Another option is to simply present a ring, and then come and choose a slightly larger ring size as it is easier to solder a ring down.

  • Ask your married friends, her friends, AND your parents for help and input. There is nothing wrong with being nervous or unsure as it can seem like an overwhelming experience.

We recommend checking out our diamond vocabulary list, to familiarize yourself with various diamond terms. Visit one of our Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers stores to work with our highly trained staff, including GIA certified gemologists, to discover buying an engagement ring with easy!buying an engagement ring