Tag Archives: Unique 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.

05 Jun

Yellow Diamonds – Colored Diamonds

Yellow Diamonds

Enter into the exciting and highly exclusive world of fancy colored diamonds, where the traditional notions of diamonds being colorless shatters that concept.  The first color diamond Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers will explore with you, is the yellow diamond; also known as the canary diamond.

Yellow Diamonds – A Canary Delight!

In the Superman comics, the hero crushes a lump of coal (carbon-based material) so hard that it produces enough heat and pressure to form a diamond for Lois Lane. While coal, under immense heat and pressure does not create diamonds, although they possess similar atomic makeups. However, when nitrogen enters the rigid structure of the composition of diamonds, they absorb blue light and give off a yellow shade in the visible light spectrum. The amount of nitrogen present in a yellow diamond will affect how light or dark the color is. Moreover, this logic of wanting more nitrogen, an impurity, naturally present in a yellow diamond is the opposite of a flawless white diamond. Additionally, gemologist give recognition to fancy color yellow diamonds a secondary hue such as orange or brown.

Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring from Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers
Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring from Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

The GIA grades yellow diamonds slightly different than traditional white diamonds. Diamonds Pro sums it up nicely, “if the white diamond color scale [D – Z], were to continue past Z – all the way to a rich, yellow color – you’d have a Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond”. Essentially this means that the best quality yellow diamond will be fully saturated with yellow and have no traces of whiteness.

Colored Diamond Scale:

Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid/ Deep/Dark

Gemologists estimate that one out of about every 10,000 carats of diamonds are a natural colored diamond. Furthermore, 60% of those natural colored diamonds are yellow. So, while they are common among natural colored diamonds, they are still exceptionally rare among the grand scheme of things.

Yellow Diamonds - Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers Engagement Ring in 18k white gold with diamond halo

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we are fortunate enough to have a gorgeous example of one set in a beautiful engagement ring. This 1.39 cushion cut, fancy yellow diamond is set with 0.56 carats of round diamonds on the halo and down the shanks in 18kt white gold! We would love to see you propose with this stunning diamond engagement ring! Additionally, stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers to peruse our exceptional collection of diamond engagement rings in Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay.