Kwiat

How long has your company been in business? Since 1907 And how did it start? In the early 1900s, Sam Kwiat set out on a steamship for America. Born in Poland, he wanted to find a better life, a life of opportunity and prosperity. Like so many immigrants, he left his family and his country with little money and few belongings. In 1907, he set up a jewelry business and opened his first store on Canal Street in New York's original diamond district on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Thus began the Kwiat family's 100-year love affair with diamonds. Sam began buying vintage jewelry, and soon became one of the largest players in the vintage jewelry and auction markets.  But Sam's true fascination was

with diamonds, and he realized that the value of the diamonds alone was far greater than the entire design.

In 1933, Sam's son David joined his father in the business. At the young age of 17, David became an expert in the art of cutting fine diamonds.

Ever the keen businessman, David saw the opportunity to extend the company's reach farther and launched a jewelry manufacturing operation.

Wedding bands became a specialty of the house, and before long Kwiat had developed its reputation for making the finest jewelry with perfectly matched diamonds.

In 1955, Kwiat published the first edition of its fine diamond jewelry catalog, broadening their market to span the United States. The finest retailers from New York to Los Angeles sold Kwiat jewelry as their private label brand.

In 1963, with a growing business and a strong economy, David moved the operations uptown and became a founding member of the new diamond district that was developing on New York's 47th Street.

By this time, the company's diamond cutting expertise was recognized as among the finest in New York. Other jewelers from around the world looked to David for advice on cutting their rough diamonds.

In 1965, David purchased his largest diamond yet - a 126 carat piece of rough and created the magnificent Teardrop of Africa, a 50 carat pear shape for Harry Winston.

By the 1970's, David's two sons - Sheldon and Lowell - joined their proud father in the business. Early on, they showed a unique talent for evaluating diamonds and developed a deep expertise in diamond cutting.

Building on the company's reputation for quality, Sheldon and Lowell expanded the business beyond private labeling. They launched a consumer line under the Kwiat brand name with the tagline "Simply Brilliant" and began advertising in leading fashion magazines.

Soon, Hollywood took notice and Kwiat diamonds began showing up on Red Carpets and in fashion magazines. For the Academy Awards, Kwiat developed a $2 million pair of diamond Cinderella slippers in collaboration with Stuart Weitzman. The shoes walked the Oscar red carpet on the feet of country music legend Allison Krause.

And now Sam's great grandchildren - a fourth generation of the Kwiat family - work alongside their fathers, bringing new energy and fresh approach to an ever-changing industry.

Today, more than 100 years after Sam opened his Canal Street doors, Kwiat is stronger than ever. Known the world over for the finest in diamond jewelry

What is the reason that you use high purity Platinum in your designs?

950 Platinum has historically been the premier metal to manufacture fine diamond jewelry with. The reasons, then and now, remain the same. Platinum's unique color, tactile properties and metallic luster are unparalleled with any other metal. Its fine working properties - malleability, ductility and ability to take a superior polish give it longevity which is incomparable to other metals as well.

What is your inspiration for new designs and who is responsible for them?

After an extensive search, Kwiat selected Janice DeBell, as Director of Design to lead their in-house design team.
DeBell is an experienced talent in the jewelry industry. Her credits range from Jewelry Designer for Harry Winston to her more recent position as Senior Jewelry Designer for Tiffany & Co. DeBell has joined the Kwiat design team to bring her fresh new inspirations to this 100-year old diamond jewelry company.

DeBell views jewelry as "wearable sculpture", an art form that has the power to evoke moods, reflect attitudes and stir the senses.  She seeks to create jewelry that is more beautiful then the simple sum of its parts. More valued and special then the precious metal or sparkling gems within the piece. It is this power of design that DeBell seeks to convey in every jeweled work of art. She finds her inspiration through architecture, nature, furniture and the arts drawing on the same beauty that inspires a second look at a magnificent skyscraper, a delicate flower or maybe even a classic automobile. According to DeBell, "jewelry is a window to the imagination" and when a woman adorns herself with a design she shows the world her personal style and individuality.

How many different designs does your line feature?

Kwiat is currently featuring and promoting 20 core collections.

Aside from your great reputation in the industry, are there any awards, honors or accolades have been bestowed on you or your company?

Numerous jewelry design awards including the 2006 Couture Diamond Design Award.
Numerous marketing awards including JA New York Sparkle Award.

What is the greatest platinum proposal story with your engagement rings you've ever heard?

This was sent in by someone who purchased our signature platinum Harmony ring:

I went for a walk one evening by the park near where my girlfriend and I live. I had previously arranged to have a caricaturist there ahead of time. I convinced my girlfriend to pose with me saying it would be fun and we could show it to our kids one day.

When the artist finished he turned to my girlfriend and said, "I don't really know you too well so I need you to fill in this little bubble I left blank over your head. Write either "yes" or "no."

He handed the picture to her and I took the opportunity to get on my knee and take out the ring because the picture was of me on my knee proposing. Well, to my relief she wrote "Yes!" in her bubble and we will be married in a little over a year!

Thanks for such a beautiful ring,
Bill

What is your goal for the next year?

This coming year will be our most exciting yet. We are celebrating our 100 year anniversary and in commemoration we will launch a new ad campaign, unveil an anniversary collection with several high profile platinum pieces, offer a limited edition Kwiat must have, and of course what anniversary would be complete without a great party.  

Who are some of the US retailers that carry your collections?

Traditional Jewelers
Tivol Jewelers
Brown & Company
Donoho's Fine Jewelry
Reis Nichols
Long's Jewelers
Radcliffe & Co.
Saks
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom