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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]
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.
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.
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]
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]
Kwiat is known for its proprietary designs and trademarked offerings, including:
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.
The following celebrities have been publicly documented wearing Kwiat jewelry at major events: