09 May

Diamonds Throughout History | Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Two monumental diamond sales already slated in 2017, so we decided to take an in-depth look into diamond history. We are going a step further and examining stories behind some of the more famous stones as well.

The Origins – Diamond History

The G.I.A., the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones and pearls, states diamond history can be set as early as the 4^th century BC in India, when diamonds were given value. (G.I.A. – “Diamond History Lore”). Various trade routes, helped diamond appear in countries like France and Italy. By the 14^th century, diamonds had become the fashion norm across Europe, and the importance of diamond cutting emerged in Venice (CBS – “Diamond History”). The supply source in India declined, due to demand, which caused the value to increase. This demand obviously led explorers and entrepreneurs to venture elsewhere. And in the 1700’s, Brazil became a powerhouse in the diamond industry. They dominated the market place for over 150 years (G.I.A.)!

The Modern Diamond Industry

In 1866 miners discovered a large deposit of diamonds in Kimberly, South Africa. This began the modern diamond industry. Hence the name Kimberlite tunnels. One of the most famous diamonds, Star of South Africa, was unearthed three years later. Originally an 83.5 carat rough diamond, was cut to a 47.69 carat pear-shaped diamond, and traded for “500 hundred sheep, ten oxen and a horse” (Famous Diamonds – “Star of South Africa Diamond”). Then, in 1888, a young entrepreneur named Cecil Rhodes established the De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, which at one point “controlled up to 90% of rough diamond production in the world”.

De Beers

“In the 1870’s, annual production of rough diamond was well under a million carats. By the 1920’s, the figure was around three million carats. Fifty years later, annual production approached 50 million carats, and in the 1990’s it surpassed 100 million carats per year”, (G.I.A.). Prior to 1947, engagement rings rarely used diamonds. It wasn’t until the De Beers hired N.W. Ayer (an advertising agency) to come-up with the world-famous slogan, “A Diamond is Forever”, that the diamond marketplace changed forever. This slogan was so effective that Ad Age deemed it the slogan of the century. According to The Atlantic, in the proceeding 40 years, “De Beers’ wholesale diamond sales in the United States increased from $23 million to $2.1 billion (U.S.D.)”.

Current Market

Australia, Botswana, Russia, Congo Republic, Canada, South Africa and India produce the majority of natural diamonds. For more incredible stories behind many famous diamonds, we recommend checking out this site. In the meantime, we invite you to take a look at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ expansive diamond jewelry selection and G.I.A. certified diamond engagement rings. Rings that reflect the beauty of your true love.

This link is a brief timeline of the history of some very famous diamonds.

Hope you enjoyed!

20 Jul

Wedding Date – How to Choose

Congratulations! The engagement ring has been bought. The question has been popped! And you’re about to get married to the love of your life. But what wedding date should you choose to hold your public celebration of love?

Schwanke-Kasten Wedding Date

Schwanke-Kasten understands there a number of factors involved when choosing your wedding date and we’d like you to consider the following questions before the “big day” is announced!

What’s the weather going to be on your wedding date?

Rain on your wedding day may be considered lucky in some cultures, but it can become a logistical nightmare and make your guests feel miserable. While you can’t predict the rain, you can be sure that you have contingency plans in place in the event of rain and that a portion of your budget allows for expenses related to weather (i.e. umbrellas for rain, fans for excessive heat, heaters for extreme cold, etc.).

What’s the most popular months to get married?

Related to the above, weather in most regions of the United States tends to be pleasant during the months of June, September, and October and these are the most popular months to get married. As a result, they can also be among the most expensive.

What are the benefits of choosing an off-season date?

Getting married during off season months could save you considerable money in certain areas. For example, your chosen venue could be less. It’s also likely you’ll have to be prepared to make sacrifices in other areas, however. For example, your favorite flowers that you must have in your wedding may be out of season. It could be difficult, if not impossible, for your florist to get those flowers. It could also cost considerably more if they can. Certain food items, particularly fruits, may also be out-of-season and cost more.

What days are special to you?

Some couples try to choose a date that is on (or close to) a day of special significance. Your first date, the date of the wedding proposal, or your parent’s wedding date. Other couples may want to avoid particular wedding dates. A person who isn’t marrying for the first time, for example, typically will avoid choosing a wedding date on – or near – their first wedding. Finally, some couples belong to cultures or religions that have rites or practices to help them choose the most auspicious day for their wedding.

What about holiday-themed weddings?

This is a tricky decision. Holiday themed weddings can be beautiful and are relatable to many people in attendance. Many guests may already have time off from work which could make it easier for them attend. On the other hand, some guests may not want their holiday plans disturbed by a wedding. Costs could also run higher. For example, using roses for your wedding during Valentine’s Day may be more expensive. You also may want to consider if the holiday may overshadow the special significance of your wedding.

How much time is enough time to plan?

There are beautiful, meaningful weddings that are planned in a matter of weeks and there are equally gorgeous weddings that take months – or over a year – to plan. Anything is possible. If you’re attempting to plan your wedding fairly quickly, and hoping to have something more than a very small wedding or reception, there are factors to consider. First, rush jobs cost more. Be prepared to spend more. Second, fewer guests will be able to attend. Make sure the VIPs can make it. Third, custom wedding gowns take time (often over a year). Finally, you want your Schwanke-Kasten wedding bands to be ready for the wedding. Be sure to check in with one of our Schwanke-Kasten professionals to be certain you understand when the wedding rings will be ready for pickup if they are to be customized or special ordered.

In closing, when considering how much planning time you’ll need, the main point is that you want to give yourself enough time to address those factors that are most important to you!

09 Jul

Schwanke-Kasten Engagement Rings

Since 1899, Schwanke Kasten Jewelers has been the go-to for engagement ring shopping. Schwanke-Kasten Engagement Rings are known for their unique and beautiful designs, impeccable quality and for being robust. One of the most popular Schwanke-Kasten Engagement Rings is the Naledi Collection Ida engagement ring.

In addition, the Ida engagement ring is available in white, rose gold, platinum, or yellow. This gorgeous ring has .35 ctw side diamonds and looks beautiful with a round brilliant, asscher, emerald, or cushion cut diamond. Depending on the center stone that you choose, this ring can accommodate carat weights of .55 to 5.0 diamond.

The Naledi Collection has created timeless engagement rings for over a century. In fact, Naledi ethically sources their diamonds. Furthermore, Naledi uses diamonds of the highest quality so that the beauty goes far beyond what the eye can see.

Learn more about the Ida Engagement Ring on our Schwanke-Kasten website.

04 Feb

Unique Wedding Rings

In the age of the computer, unique wedding rings have become a commonplace. However it wasn’t always like this. The very first wedding bands were made of braided plant material, ceremoniously given and worn, and most frequently from the same type of materials. The symbolism of the rings took preference over appearance and style.

Unique Wedding Rings - Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers Throughout the ages, wedding rings had their moments of being lavish, most notably among royalty and the elite. Other periods focused on humble and muted looks, such as during the 1700’s in America.

Until recent decades, there has been a certain continuity of this humble approach to wedding rings in America. The only real decisions to be made were about the metal used to construct, and if there were a particular desire to have matching bands, bands which reflect the other’s taste, and the ring size.

In the computer age of big dreams, strong visions, and unlimited creativity people aspire for uniqueness. Today we are now seeing some absolutely incredibly original ideas.

Here are some of the unique wedding rings we have found out in the wild:

The Decoder Ring

The CEO of website BoingBoing has fashioned an unique wedding ring inspired perhaps by both the Lord of the Rings series and the comic book favorite – the decoder ring.

Built of three or more segments, wearers can rotate the ring to reveal a secret message. There’s nothing in the rule book that says that a decoder ring can’t be a wedding ring!

The USB Ring

Crystal masters Swarovski have been commissioned to produce a one-off ring for a couple of tech enthusiasts with an incredible and timeless utility. In fact, these rings feature a tiny USB drive surrounded by Swarovski crystal and, although they don’t conform to the traditional circular band, they allow the wearers to exchange data, photos, poems, etc. with each other through the very rings with brought them into the unity of marriage.

Couples can populate the USB drive with wedding photos or videos, photos of the kids, to share and cherished by the other.

The Gamer’s Ring

That’s right! Internet/game themed rings! Some of these rings stay close to the traditional circular ring. However, other rings will inlay jewels to represent the different buttons on a PlayStation or Xbox controller. There are rings which represent aspects of Super Mario Brothers, Portal, or even simple keyboard emoticons such as “ <3 <3 <3” (these are “hearts” as written in keyboard-speak). There’s even a Lord of the Rings band of platinum, complete with Elvish writing.

Furthermore, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers understands that these rings are unique and quite personalized. They’re not for the average couple! Visit our Schwanke-Kasten website to see a wide selection of beautiful, traditional wedding bands. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has a number of non-diamond engagement rings too.

01 Feb

Wedding Band Buying Tips

That special moment arrives and you hear those magic words “Yes! Yes, darling! I will marry you!” Now’s time to begin looking for your wedding band and Schwanke-Kasten is here to help you explore the common questions. Should they be shopped for together? How much is your budget? Do you and your fiancée’s taste in rings have to be the same?

In this article, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers will provide you some useful tips for finding that perfect ring and the factors you should consider.

A wedding ring is even more powerful than an engagement ring, albeit a bit more humble. It is the ring itself – the unending circle of eternal love. Although gems and settings are left to the engagement ring, there are still many choices to be made. Take these tips into consideration to speed up the process and make choosing the rings more of a beautiful adventure than a dilemma.

Wedding Band Ideas

Every couple has their own set of styles and ideas. Before hitting the shops, sit down and talk about what each of you envisions for the other. Give examples of what you’d like. Listen to your fiancée’s input as well. Peruse the Schwanke-Kasten website for inspiration and suggestions. You can also do internet searches on certain elements you want to explore such as the metal, gems or no gems, matching or independent. Some wedding rings even interlock when taken off.

It’s also important for the woman to decide how she would like her ring to compliment her engagement ring.

Once these initial details have been worked out, you can both start focusing on your ideal rings.

wedding band ideas by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Choose a Budget

Of course, it’s important to have an upper limit set for what type of wedding band you are financially able to procure. It would be a great disappointment to get your heart set on a ring that sadly might cost you a year’s salary. Understand in what range you should be looking, and stick to those choices.

Custom Rings or a Ring Set

Just because a custom ring feels more personal, a budget constraint could mean that the pre-paired “ring sets” are right for you. These ring sets do come in many different and beautiful styles, with the lady’s engagement and wedding rings form-fitting to each other for an elegant and cohesive presentation. Prices are much lower than buying custom made pieces, but that is usually due to the number of rings being sold in one transaction. A ring set does not mean that it is low quality. Many couples choose these sets and find that they are made of quality materials and are elegant.

Custom Rings

If money isn’t a concern, and you’re the creative type, designing custom rings is a deviation from the traditional which could take you anywhere. White, Rose, or standard gold. Carbon fiber and small gems, unique shapes and forms are all styles you can have hand-crafted for you.

But it’s very important to find the right metallurgist to construct these items. Reviews, word of mouth, reputations of the craftsman are all necessary. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers can help you determine how long it takes to craft your rings. The more hours quoted means the higher attention to detail and perfection they will spend on your special rings.

With your rings being of such importance, it pays to spend as much time researching not only your styles and budget offerings, but also where it came from. You want nothing but the best for these symbols of life-long love, so educate yourself as much as you can, and ask for help along the way. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers loves to help bring happiness into lives of couples seeking rings, and we’re always here to help you make the best choices possible.

Good luck and congratulations!

28 Jan

De Beers Diamond Jewelry and the Chinese Market

De Beers – a name not only synonymous with diamonds, but also with creating demand from simple marketing, is at it again. From the origins

Named as the originator of the diamond engagement ring, De Beers created an artificial “need” through marketing and product placement in films and television to make a diamond engagement ring the standard. The campaign began in 1938 and continues today.

De Beers Diamond Jewelry Chinese Market

Now De Beers has got its eye on China. With billions of dollars of new wealth, China should be a steady customer to the diamond industry. Lately, sales of raw diamonds to China have dropped 15 percent. This is due largely to the Chinese economic slowdown has stifled the amount of diamond jewelry of all types purchased.

Upon the adoption of diamond engagement rings by the Chinese people 10 years ago, diamond sales to China increased at almost 20% per year from 2009-2013 and diamond engagement rings account for 10% of jewelry purchases in China.

More importantly, De Beers must find new customers in the form of young couples. Because they agree that using diamonds as gifts, they will show a particularly strong affinity.

Representatives from De Beers have said they intend to market the custom of gift-giving. Representatives want diamonds to be at the top of the gift-giving list. Most importantly, by associating diamonds with gifts rather than with a self-purchase, the Chinese will feel an obligation to find an over-the-top gift. Playing on social codes, and a strong marketing campaign, De Beers is sure to fill the void.

Schwanke-Kasten has a wide selection of diamond engagement rings. Visit the Schwanke-Kasten website for more.

Moreover, many have heard of the Forevermark brand and know of it’s quality diamonds and diamond jewelry.

25 Jan

Caring For Your Rings

RING CARE

Ring care for wedding and engagement rings is crucial for one of the most valuable and important parts of what you wear day-to-day. A ring that was properly taken care of will look as good as the day it was made. There are many materials to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining the rings, and understanding how to care for each component is of the utmost importance. What will clean one part of your ring may damage another. In this article, Schwanke-Kasten suggests some of the more important things to remember when caring for your rings.

First and foremost – DON’T LOSE YOUR RING!

As you consider the seaside areas that are very popular with newlyweds, the metal detector brigade sweeping the sands each night and Ring Care Tactics from Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers morning seem to find more than a few wedding and engagement rings in the sand and surf. It’s very important to notice the fit of your ring at all times. Have you lost weight recently? Have you been working with slippery substances like, for example, suntan lotion?

Whenever you perform activities that could cause yours hands to sweat, either pay close attention to your rings, or better yet, remove them completely. Today’s world brings many different ways that ring could slide right off unnoticed, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure the ring size is correct too. You may need to resize your ring.

When washing dishes, always remove your rings. You can purchase ring holders made specifically for this situation. They look like upside-down mushrooms. Place your rings over the “stem”, and you will never have to fish your ring out of the plumbing .

Another common way people lose rings is while dressing and undressing. Make sure you put your rings on last after your blouse, shirt, or other topwear. Fibers can pull them off and they will remain unnoticed as they slip through the clothing and onto the ground.

Do Your Research

If you want to properly conduct ring care yourself, do your research. Make sure you know exactly what reactions your cleaner will have with the ring. What may be fine for gold may be destructive to gems, and vice-versa. Even things like make-up and hair products can damage these materials.

Bring it to Us

Have a professional jeweler steam clean your ring. It only takes a few minutes. The ring will perfect as the day it first went on your finger, especially if your ring has etchings of any kind, for those crevasses will need special attention that a home solution may either not clean adequately, or scratch the surface and mar the ring entirely.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers can help you to take proper care of your ring so it can become an heirloom to be passed down through generations of your family. Ring care is important.

24 Jan

Ring Size – How to Find It?

Finding out the ring size for you intended finance can seem like a daunting task!

Here are some sneaky ways to find her ring size.

Talk to her family and friends:

Friends or family members often know what her ring size is! If they don’t know, they could be the right person to nonchalantly ask her. A friend (or family member) could also take your girlfriend engagement ring shopping “just for fun” and later report the ring size to you.

Pretend you’re buying for someone else.

Tell your girlfriend you’re buying a ring for another close woman in your life (mother, sister, niece, etc.). Casually ask here what her ring size is for reference (be sure that the pretend recipient is someone whose hands is similar in size). You could go so far to take her ring-browsing with you. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, call Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers first, schedule a visit, and tell them what you’re doing so they can try to determine her size as she’s trying rings on.

Grab one of her current rings.

Look in her jewelry box and find a ring she rarely wears. Make sure you can borrow it for a time and take it to Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers (or your local jeweler) and get the proper size. Grab a ring that she wears on a similarly sized finger. The ring finger of her right hand is the optimal choice (if she’s right handed).

While she’s sleeping.

Some guys say this is the best method. Wrap a small strip of string around her ring finger. Do it on her dominant hand (the hand she uses to write with). The dominant hand is going to be as much as a half size bigger so this step is important.

Play a game.

Make up some kind of game to get her to reveal her ring size. For example, tell her that you just heard about new, fun game that says if you take your shoe size and divide by two and then add three, it will sum up to your ring finger size. Note this is NOT actually revel the ring size. Having her go through this exercise, however, is a sneaky way to get her to tell you what her true ring size is.

22 Jan

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding or Engagement Rings

The purchase of wedding bands and engagement rings is based purely on two things: personal style, and budget.

Once your budget has been determined and it’s time to go shopping for these special gifts. We at Schwanke-Kasten have listed some pointers for you to help make your purchase as easy and as tailored to your tastes as possible.

1) If you’re buying an engagement ring, have a look at the style of jewelry your partner tends to like most. Do they like unique art pieces? Are they a fan of gold or white gold? Start by thinking of your partner and what would really ‘wow’ them.

2) Once you’ve had a look at the different styles, one or two of them may make a big impression on you. Window shopping before the actual purchase will show you the various selections. The Internet is an invaluable way to peruse the wedding bands all over the world, and artists who create unique pieces. When you have a general idea of what you like, it’s time to do some actual ring shopping. Don’t leave this until the last minute, as it takes time to try on rings, and upon selection, to have engraving and other customization done. Upon engagement, you should begin looking for rings as soon as possible to ensure that they satisfy your wishes, and are ready.

Wedding Bands

3) Once the engagement ring has been selected, the proposal has been made, and you got that answer you were hoping for, it’s now time to search for wedding bands. Go window-shopping together and take input from both yourself, and your partner. Stop by one of our Schwanke-Kasten locations so we can help you navigate the conversation! Since the engagement is established, you can share the fun of choosing your rings together. Your partner will most likely look for a wedding band that complements their engagement ring. If the engagement ring holds a uniquely cut diamond, the wedding band should be a simple one to not overload the engagement ring. Look for a band that will interlock or physically fit alongside the engagement ring. For a more standard cut stone, some creativity will compliment it nicely. A band with a diamond pave, for example.

4) Wedding bands do not have to match, so consider the style of yourself and your partner. It’s not a problem if you like platinum and your partner prefers gold, and it does not deviate from any sort of tradition. Custom wedding bands that blend both of your styles are a choice that many choose so they can express their own styles while mingling with the style of their partner’s ring. These rings are forever, and so should reflect the two of you. If you look for a custom ring like a braided multi-metal band, it will take 1-3 months to construct. In any event, even with completely different styles, some elements should be shared to truly make them a ‘set’. Even just the same engraving on both rings should be sufficient.

Size is important

5) Choose rings that are comfortable. Sizing is important. You are going to wear these rings for the rest of your life, and they should be chosen to reflect your lifestyles. If you are active in sports or work with your hands, a minimally intrusive band should be considered. There are ring bands that are designed for comfort that are just as beautiful as any other band.

Ring selection should be an enjoyable process,

Have fun! Get the rings that are perfect for you, just as perfect as your partner. And congratulations!

15 Jan

Find Her Ring – Engagement Ring Styles

How Do You Find Her Ring?

Congrats you found your soulmate! You know what comes next. You need to find her ring! Which ring works for her? Where it’s going to happen, what you’re going to say, how you’re going to keep it a secret from her, and – of course – which engagement rings to buy.

There may be some anxiety about the engagement ring. Let’s face it: it’s not something you typically buy and you likely feel way out of your comfort zone. But buying her the perfect ring doesn’t have to be stressful. Consider these tips on how to make the best decision possible.

Engagement Rings Jewelry Box

Go into stealth mode: It’s time to to secretly discover what kind of jewelry she generally likes. What’s her style? The best way to approach this step is to sneak into her bedroom and look at the jewelry she already owns. Take a camera with you and snap some photos of the items in her jewelry box, particularly her rings. Make sure you get some good close-ups.
Get into the loop: If you’re going for a “complete surprise” approach you may have to think about who to include (or not include) in this step, but the goal here is to talk those people in her life who know her best, particularly those people who know her sense of style. Connect with her mother, her sisters, her best friends and ask them what they think she’d like. Visit the Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers website and review the engagement rings together to help with the process.
She knows what she likes: You may be in a situation where she know’s it coming. Perhaps the surprise isn’t IF you’re going to ask the “big question,” but WHEN and HOW. If this is the case you may want to consider letting her give you some input and suggestions about the engagement ring. Go window browsing together and show her the engagement rings at one of our Schwanke-Kasten locations, and let her give you some ideas about what she likes (and doesn’t like).