For over 70 years, this Southern Californian family operated diamond designer has been creating impeccable diamond jewelry. This engagement ring, in 18k yellow gold, sets the three diamonds in platinum. The marvelous center stone is a near-perfect example of yellow diamonds in an engagement ring. The 3.54 carat, fancy-yellow, internally flawless, cushion-cut diamond is mesmerizing. The internally flawless clarity is truly captivating. Additionally, on each side of the center stone are two radiant, ‘white’ diamonds that weight 0.46 carats total (0.23 each).

Moreover, at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Milwaukee, we specialize in finding the perfect engagement ring for all budgets. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, who wouldn’t want to be proposed to on the special day of love. Consider Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, a family-owned and -operated jewelry store since 1899! Shop local!

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Before cleaning your jewelry, wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with your jewelry removed.

Watches and Jewelry

***MAKE SURE THE CROWNS AND PUSHERS ARE TIGHTENED AND THAT YOU CHECK THE WATER RESISTANCE OF YOUR WATCH ***. This can be an expensive repair if you get water in your watch. Set up a bowl of clean, warm water and one of soapy water with a little antibacterial soap and dip the bracelet of the watch into the soapy water for about 20 seconds. With jewelry, you can drop the piece in fully. Gently scrub the bracelet and the case with a soft bristle toothbrush then dip it in the clean water to wrist and pat dry with a soft cloth. We like to top the process off with a polishing cloth to give the bracelet or silver jewelry its nice shine.

Cleaning Leather

Experts recommend lightly scrubbing leather with simple ivory soap and warm water then using a good leather clean and conditioner afterwards.

Cleaning Pearls (and Gemstones)

We recommend against directly putting hand-sanitizer and moisturizer on pearls, as with any organic gemstones. Gemologist have found that alcohol in sanitizer can damage surfaces of the porous stones. This is true with gemstones as well like opals and turquoise. What Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers recommend is using mild dish soap to make warm, soapy water and a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub any moisturizer, sanitizer, dirt, soap, bacterial away.

While this is a virus and most of these steps above work for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal protection. Additionally, we think that it is a good habit and it best to be safe than sorry.

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we will be disinfecting any jewelry that is brought in for repair for at least 48 hours before beginning repair. Furthermore, we are limiting the hours for our watch and goldsmith. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

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About River Revitalization Foundation: This project of the River Alliance of Wisconsin, aims to protect land and water resources along Milwaukee’s rivers for the public benefit. With 890 acres protected, 3.5 miles of new trails created, 357,528 lbs of invasive plants removed per year and 10,200 native plants planted, and 500 volunteers per year, this fantastic organization aims to revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods and water quality around the areas bordering the Milwaukee, Menonmonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. The River Revitalization Foundation originate in 1994 as a land trust. Furthermore, a land trust’s goal is to improve neighborhood restoration, economic vitality, conservation of natural areas and creation of public access to these natural area. They are Wisconsin’s only urban rivers land trust.

About Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers: Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has been family-owned and operated since 1899. As the fourth-generation owner, we are true to keeping the integrity of a traditional jewelry store by offering an onsite gemologist, goldsmith, watch-maker and engraver, as well as having a professionally trained sales team. With stores in Whitefish Bay & Downtown Milwaukee, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers is able to provide you with excellence in service, style and selection.

 Learn more about the River Revitalization Foundation or donate to their non-profit.

Furthermore, follow this link to learn more about Schwanke-Kasten Jeweler’s E.A.C.H. program.

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At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we feature the GOA collection from this designer. This collection gives the wearer the freedom to wear beautifully flexible jewelry. A masterful blend of artisanal purpose, function and style. Additionally, this collection uses a titanium core to offer a strong, yet light weight structure. Then, using a single length gold wire, the designer embrace this core much like the jewelry on your skin. Let your own light shine forth. Moreover, discover the Piero Milano GOA collection at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay location and online!

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Legendary, world renowned, fine Italian Jewelry are all words to describe jewelry designer, Roberto Coin. Born in 1996 via an accumulation of inspiration taken from art, architecture and art, Roberto Coin left his career as a hotelier to pursue his passion for beautiful, high quality and romantic jewelry. Roberto Coin decided to lay down the brands roots in the “City of Gold”, Vicenza, Italy. This is also his birthplace. Moreover, this incredibly historic and beautiful city provided inspiration from different cultures, multi-ethnic influences from past and future. Furthermore, it drew from nature and the surrounding architecture. It is through this myriad of influences is what make the jewelry so timeless, unmistakable and unique.

The Ruby.

Inside each piece of Robert Coin jewelry lies a hidden ruby, representing a signature to the brand but also paying homage to the legend and pseudo-magical qualities associated with the ruby, ability to give peace and promote a long life, blessed with health and happiness. In ancient times, women thought rubies promoted fertility. Additionally, Burmese warriors inserted real rubies under their skin to protect themselves from injury during battle. Currently, Roberto Coin took the motif and hopes that their ruby,  directly touch the skin of who wears it, will be granted good wishes.

Responsibility.

Roberto Coin is a part of the Responsible Jewellery Council as well as The Kimberly Process. Since 1996, Roberto Coin has grown into a global brand spanning 1000’s of shops in over 60 different countries!

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers has been a long-time vendor of Roberto Coin. Stop by either Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers location in Milwaukee to view our gorgeous selection of Roberto Coin jewelry or view a select array online!

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Did you know that the main supply of peridot gemstones is actually here in the U.S.? Sprawling across the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona are mines that are uncovering these gemstones. Additionally, Geologist suggest that thousands of years ago volcanic eruptions sent rivers of lava carrying the stone across the desert landscape. Also, peridot is believed to have come to Earth via pallasite (nickel, iron and olivine) meteorites.

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we have a beautiful selection of these gorgeous gemstone available online and at our store. Furthermore, peridot is also the gemstone for 15^th anniversaries. Additionally, Read more about the history of peridot.

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Natural pearls occur by chance, which is why they are so rare and expensive. Oysters, mussels and clams form pearls when an irritant (parasite or grain of sand) works its way into it.  The bivalve will secret a fluid to coat the irritant as a defense mechanism. This nacre, or layering of fluids that continues to be deposited until a pearl is created. 

Cultured Pearls History

The value of natural pearls, according to PBS, “At the height of the Roman Empire…the historian Suetonius wrote that the Roman general Vitellius financed an entire military campaign by selling just one of his mother’s pearl earrings”!  

Presently, most pearls are cultured, or “farmed”. In the late 19^th century, Kokichi Mikimoto, son of a noodle maker, Tokichi Nishikawa (a government biologist) and Tatsuhei Mise (a carpenter), all independently discovered and patented methods for creating cultured pearls. Mise patented a oyster grafting needle in 1907 and Nishikawa patented a method for nucleating. Their methodology essentially was, “inserting a piece of oyster epithelial membrane (lip of the mantle tissue) with a nucleus of shell or metal into an oyster’s body or mantle, which causes the tissue to form a pearl sack. That sack then secrete nacre to coat the nucleus and thus creating a pearl” (PBS). The two of them eventually united their individual patents, creating the Mise-Nishikawa method. 

Mikimoto, yes the Mikimoto, needed to avoid using the Mise-Nishikawa method, to validate his own patents so he developed a technique of creating round pearls. Once this occur, Mikimoto’s pearls took off allowing him to buy the rights to the Mise-Nishikawa method, and the rest is history! The pearl marketplace sells more than 99% cultured pearls today.

The current process involves inserting a bead, made from a mollusk shell into the gonad of another oyster (reproductive organ).  Oyster farmers call this surgery-like process grafting, which they have down to a science. For example, oysters are less likely to reject organic beads as opposed to metal beads.   

Cultured Pearl Types: 

• Akoya: These are the original Japanese culture pearls which are from a smaller oyster (Pinctada Fucata – 6 to 8 cm in size). Pearls larger than 10mm in diameter are very rare and expensive. Farmers harvest Akoya pearls are typically after one year. 

• South Sea: These are much larger than an average Akoya pearl and contain exceptional white/silver color, roundness and smoothness. Furthermore, farmers harvest South Sea pearls after 2-4 years from a Pinctada Maxiam oyster.  

• Tahiti: These are gorgeous dark pearls that exhibit are wide variety of shapes, sizes and hues. Pearl farmers harvest Tahitian pearls after about 2-4 years from Black Lip Oysters (Pinctada Margaritifera). 

• Edison pearls are larger, more modern freshwater pearls that pearl farmers harvest between 2 to 7 years. 

Jewelers use culture pearls in all sorts of jewelry forms, from classic pearl necklaces and earrings, to contemporary instances on luxury watch dials! Stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay or Downtown Milwaukee to shop from our beautiful pearl jewelry. Additionally, checkout our selection of real cultured pearls online! 

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For over 4000 years, dating back to Ancient Egypt, emeralds have been a sought-after gemstone by nobles. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we decided to share with you some of the most famous emeralds in existence.

Famous Emeralds

The Mogul Emerald

In 2001 Christie’s Auction House in London sold this massive 217.80 carat emerald for $2.2 million USD! This historical gemstone dates back to the Indian Emperor Aurangzeb (1695). During this time, India was ruled by the Shi’a Muslim Mogul Emerald, which explains the engraved prayer on one side and the floral poppy design on the other.

Interestingly enough, the stone is thought to have been mined in Colombia!

The Guinness Emerald Crystal

Gemologist agree that Colombia produces some of the highest quality emeralds. This is maybe one of the largest gem-quality emerald crystals unearthed weighing in at a whopping 1,759 carats!

The Bahia Emerald

This 752lb (170,000 carats) emerald cluster from Bahia, Brazil has had a tumultuous story. Narrowly escaping flooding in a New Orleans warehouse during the Katrina Hurricane, it then ended up in a vault in South El Monte, Los Angeles. In 2008, it was reported stolen and it appeared online for $75 million (despite being valued at ~$400 million). Additionally, in 2010 the stone was recovered in Las Vegas and various parties went to court claiming ownership of the emerald cluster. Furthermore, in 2015, a judge issued a restraining order protecting the stone, arguing that it is subject to forfeiture in Brazil because it may have been smuggled out of the country illegally.

The Seringapatam Jewels

A breathtaking suite of emerald jewels comprised of a brooch, bracelet, necklace and pair of drop earrings using beautiful emeralds, diamonds, gold and platinum. The British Military gifted British Major-General George Harris the emeralds following a victory at the Battle of Seringapatam in India in 1799. Years later, he made them into pieces of jewelry for his family.

The Chalk Emerald

Once worn by the Maharani Saheba of the princely state Baroda in India discovered sometime in the 16^th or 17^th century. Additionally, This 38.40 carat stone is one of the best examples of a Colombian emerald. Eventually, Harry Winston Inc, the famous jewelry house, re-cut the stone, set it in platinum and surrounded by 60 pear-shaped diamonds totaling 15 carats.

While we do not have any of these beautiful examples of emeralds, we do have much more affordible and versatile pieces of emerald jewelry at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in both Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee, as well as online!

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The Project Grace Foundation began in 2009 in an effort to provide a supportive learning environment for all children. Fast forward eight years, Grace’s Mom, Martha, found herself creating unique bracelets for family and friends; the demand continued.

Martha Flaherty established the Project Grade Foundation in 2017. As a 501C3 organization, the foundations donates 100% of all profits to supporting innovative advancements in education, advocacy and independence for the neuro-developmentally diverse population. Some organizations are Best Buddies of Wisconsin, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Down Syndrome Foundation of Wisconsin.

The bracelets are created with a combination of semi-precious stones, metals, vintage beads, charms, and other fabulous finds. Moreover, once you rock one of these unique bracelets you become a member of Gracie’s Tribe.

Additionally, You can contact Martha Flaherty at martha@theprojectgracefoundation.org for more information regarding donations

Furthermore, follow this link to learn more about Schwanke-Kasten Jeweler’s E.A.C.H. program.

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The program takes volunteers several times a week at three different sites. For example, volunteers can prep food, work on the garden, or stock shelves. For more information, volunteers should visit their, “get involved” page.

Previously, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers dedicated time and money, worked closely in new ways to give back to Milwaukee in the form of our E.A.C.H. program, with resounding success. We were able to set up an internship program with Pearls for Teen Girls, help FREESPACE acquire a new sound system, volunteered at numerous events for the St. Francis Children Center, and donated to the Charles E. Kubly Beyond the Blues Foundation. We hope 2019 brings continued success to our previous recipients. Furthermore, We are thrilled to work with our partners!

In addition, to a monetary donation, Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers plans on establishing regular volunteering among other possibilities. Furthermore, to learn more about the E.A.C.H. program, please visit our website. We urge our customers to consider volunteering and/or donating to the Riverwest Food Pantry.

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