Tag Archives: married in mke

10 Apr

Princess Cut Diamonds

princess cut diamonds

Your true love is your princess; it’s only fitting to propose your undying love for her with a princess cut diamond engagement ring? This beautifully and interestingly square cut diamond is actually the second most popular style of diamond cut, below round but above cushion! At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we decided to share with you all there is to know about princess cut diamonds

Princess Cut Diamonds History:

Surprisingly, diamond cutters have been only creating this style of cut for around 40 years to 50 years. Although it is hard to pinpoint, gemologist argue that a man named Basil Watermeyer created  the cut as the Barion Cut in the 1970’s, however this was a combination of an emerald cut and a marquise cut. Others point to Arpad Nagy, a London Based diamond cutter, who created the what was then known as the “profile cut” back in 1961. started seeing demand for this style around the 1970’s. Israeli diamond cutters, Betzalel Amber and Israel Itzkowitz popularized Nagy’s cut several years later under the name Princess Cut, which was a “fancy French inspired cut”.

The Cut:

The princess cut was designed to have a modern, clean and feminine look to it. It is actually a modified square cut stone. Typically, princess cut diamonds appear as square, sometimes rectangle. On the profile, the stone has an inverted pyramid shape with four beveled sides. These stones typically have between 60 to 70 facets. Furthermore, because they retain, on average, 80% of the original rough stone, they are prone to having more inclusions than a round brillian cut. Which is not a negative, this allows the uniquely cut ring to have a very interesting and gorgeous light play to it!

The Cost:

Because Princess Cut Diamond only lose 20% of the rough stone when being cut (compared to 40-50% of a round diamond) they are a less expensive cut when all other factors are held constant (i.e. the 4 C’s).

Similar Cuts:

Cushion Cuts – have larger facets than princess cuts which increase their brilliance and highlight the clarity. However, they do not have as sharp of a sparkle and have an older, more vintage feel. Furthermore, they do not have as sharp of edges as princess cuts.

Round Brilliant – The most popular style of ring tends to look bigger when comparing the same carat weight stone. However, due to the cutting process, they are more expensive when all factors are held constant.

Asscher Cut – Similarly cut to a princess cut but with step cuts (a commonly found on emeralds, hence the name, emerald cut).

Famous Princess Cuts
Emily Ratajkowski Engagement Ring
Emily Ratajkowski Engagement Ring
  • Chicago Cubs World Series Rings features two princess cut diamond, among others.
  • Emily Ratajkowski – When choosing an engagement ring, she couldn’t decide between a princess cut or a pear cut, so she got both!
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Snooki – Everyone’s favorite Jersey Shore socialite has an engagement ring with a princess cut center stone.
Snooki Engagement Ring - princess cut diamonds
Snooki Engagement Ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, our professionally trained sales team and GIA-certified gemologist are eager to help you find the perfect diamond for the perfect engagement ring. Visit Schwanke-Kasten in one of our two convenient Milwaukee Locations (Downtown Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay).

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!