Kwiat jewelry

Kwiat is an American jeweler based in New York City. The company was founded in 1907 by Sam Kwiat and remains privately owned and operated by the Kwiat family.[1]

History

Early 1900s

Kwiat was founded in 1907 by Samuel Kwiat, a Polish immigrant who established a shop on Canal Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, the original diamond district of New York City.[2] Initially trading in diamonds, Sam later developed an interest in vintage jewelry and became active in the auction market for antique pieces.

1933 to Mid-1960s

In 1933, Sam's 17-year-old son, David Kwiat, joined the business and learned diamond cutting and jewelry manufacturing. Under David's direction, the company expanded from loose stone trading into jewelry design and production, introducing collections of wedding rings, necklaces, and earrings.[3] During the 1930s and 1940s, Kwiat became known for having one of the most important diamond jewelry collections in the United States. Kwiat is also credited with helping to establish Manhattan's modern diamond district in the 1950s. In 1955, the company published its first catalog.

In 1965, David Kwiat purchased a 126-carat rough diamond and cut it to create the 50-carat "Teardrop of Africa" for Harry Winston.

Mid-1960s to Early 2000s

David's sons, Sheldon and Lowell Kwiat, joined the company in 1964 and 1973, respectively, and assumed leadership in the mid-1970s. For decades, Kwiat operated primarily as a diamond supplier to major jewelers, including Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston.[4] In 2005, Kwiat began marketing directly to consumers under its own brand name.[5][6]

Early 2000s to Present

Lowell Kwiat's sons—Greg (CEO), Russell (COO), and Cory (Chief Digital Officer)—joined the business in the early 2000s. Greg Kwiat has become a recognized diamond expert and is frequently cited in media outlets covering jewelry and luxury fashion.[7][8][9][10]

In 2007, Kwiat opened its first flagship boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City.[11]

In 2009, the company acquired Fred Leighton, a renowned antique jewelry house, for $25.8 million.[12]

Products

Kwiat is known for its proprietary designs and trademarked offerings, including:

  • Ashoka® Diamond – a patented diamond cut originally developed by William Goldberg, for which Kwiat is the exclusive U.S. distributor.[13]
  • Kwiat Setting – a signature engagement ring design featuring a floating diamond basket.[14]
  • Kwiat Tiara Diamonds™ – a selection of diamonds that exceed GIA cut standards.
  • Fred Leighton Round™ – a proprietary diamond cut inspired by antique old European cuts.

Kwiat jewelry is sold at the company's boutiques in New York City and Las Vegas, through its website, and at authorized retailers across the United States.

Celebrity clients

The following celebrities have been publicly documented wearing Kwiat jewelry at major events:

  • Natalie Portman – wore Kwiat diamond "Orbit Huggies" bracelets at a SAG‑AFTRA premiere.[15]
  • Margot Robbie – wore Kwiat diamond eternity bands at the 2024 Governors Awards and five‑row Kwiat diamond earrings at the 2024 Oscars.[16][17]
  • Anne Hathaway – wore Kwiat diamond cluster earrings and platinum rings at the 2013 SAG Awards.[18]
  • Jennifer Hudson – wore Kwiat jewelry at the 2015 New York City Ballet Fall Gala.[19]
  • Iman – wore a 13.11‑carat yellow radiant‑cut diamond ring by Kwiat at the 2021 Met Gala.[20]
  • Carey Mulligan – wore 3‑carat round brilliant Kwiat diamond studs at the 2024 SAG Awards.[21]
  • Zoë Kravitz – wore the Kwiat "Between Us" pink-and-white oval diamond necklace at the 2022 Oscars.[22]
  • Sarah Jessica Parker – wore Kwiat 3 ct pear‑shape diamond earrings at the Broadway reopening party or similar high-profile event.[23]
  • Emma Stone – wore a Kwiat and Fred Leighton choker at the 2025 Tony Awards.[24]
  • Anne Hathaway – In 2011, Adam Shulman proposed with a six-carat solitaire diamond ring from Kwiat.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Kwiat Family". Art & Living. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  2. ^ "Lowell and Sheldon Kwiat". Elite Traveler. 4 September 2008. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  3. ^ Betts, Kate (6 September 2007). "Diamonds Are Forever". Time. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  4. ^ "Lowell and Sheldon Kwiat". Elite Traveler. 4 September 2008. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  5. ^ "Competition Is Forever". The New York Times. 2005-02-09. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  6. ^ "David Kwiat, Former President of Diamond Firm, Dies at 94". WWD. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  7. ^ "Unique rings for brides who love a little something different". New York Post. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  8. ^ "The Ultimate Diamond Buying Guide". Coveteur. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  9. ^ "Jennifer Lopez and the Return of the Colored Diamond Trend". Town & Country. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  10. ^ "Why Emerald-Cut Engagement Rings Are Trending". Town & Country. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  11. ^ Betts, Kate (6 September 2007). "Diamonds Are Forever". Time. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  12. ^ "Kwiat Takes Over Fred Leighton". JCK Online. December 2009. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  13. ^ Rapaport Magazine (September 2016). "Diamond Dynasties: Kwiat and William Goldberg's Exclusive Ashoka Alliance". Rapaport Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  14. ^ "Kwiat princess-cut engagement ring in platinum". The Jewellery Editor. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  15. ^ "Natalie Portman is radiant at tonight's SAG‑AFTRA screening". Instagram (Kwiat Diamonds). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  16. ^ "At tonight's Governors Awards, Margot Robbie shines in Kwiat eternity bands". Instagram (Kwiat Diamonds). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  17. ^ "Margot Robbie Oscars Kwiat earrings". Instagram (Be On Park Fine Jewelry). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  18. ^ "Diamond clusters are back – on Anne Hathaway at the SAG Awards". Centurion Jewelry. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  19. ^ "Jennifer Hudson wears #Kwiat jewelry to the New York City Ballet Fall Gala". Instagram (Kwiat Diamonds). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  20. ^ "At this week's Met Gala, Iman rocked a 13‑carat yellow diamond ring from Kwiat". Jeweller Magazine. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  21. ^ "Carey Mulligan wore Kwiat studs at the 2024 SAG Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  22. ^ "Zoë Kravitz Does Soft Glam in Dusty Pink Gown & Diamonds at Oscars". Harper's Bazaar. 27 March 2022. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  23. ^ "Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Kwiat diamond earrings". Instagram (Kwiat Diamonds). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  24. ^ "Emma Stone wearing Kwiat and Fred Leighton jewelry at 2025 Tony Awards". Instagram (Kwiat Diamonds). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  25. ^ "60 of the Best Celebrity Engagement Rings". Retrieved 2025-06-30.