Kwiat Diamond Necklace

For over a century, Kwiat has been a pioneer in the world of exquisite diamond jewelry. This family-run business was founded in 1907 and has been helmed by four generations, each setting consecutively higher standards of craftsmanship, design and beauty.

Kwiat started with Polish immigrant Sam Kwiat opening a small shop selling vintage diamonds on New York’s Canal Street, the city’s diamond district in the early 1900s. By 1962, the shop had already built a following and a distinct brand identity and, in a pioneering move, became one of the first diamond dealers to relocate to the now-bustling 47th Street diamond district. In 1955, Kwiat introduced its first jewelry catalogue. Kwiat is now a global leader in exquisitely cut, crafted and sourced diamonds, and it has some of the world’s strictest standards for diamond quality. Kwiat jewelry is regularly spotted on celebrities walking the red carpet, from the Grammys to the Oscars. The house’s timeless diamond rings, which the company began focusing on in the early 2000s, are now a leading choice for engagement rings, especially their bespoke designs.

What makes a Kwiat diamond engagement ring special are the open and airy settings — a design trick intended to make the diamond appear as if it is an ethereal gem floating over the skin. The precision and expertise with which a Kwiat diamond is cut are most visible in its signature Kwiat Star collection, introduced in 1957 and reissued in 2002: The range of jewelry is made with glinting marquise-cut diamonds arranged in radiant clusters.

To promote more ethical conditions in the jewelry industry, Kwiat uses diamonds sourced from conflict-free regions. The brand has also perfected its trademarked Kwiat Tiara cut, which makes diamonds appear bigger and more brilliant, as well as the dazzling Ashoka cut, which was introduced by diamond dealer William Goldberg in 1999 and is now available exclusively from Kwiat in the United States. In 2008, Kwiat marked its centennial by opening a new flagship on Madison Avenue. In 2020, it announced the new Fred Leighton round cut based on Old European designs, which followed the company’s acquisition of the Fred Leighton vintage jewelry retailer in 2009. A century after opening its first store, Kwiat continues to be a global leader in reimagining the future of diamond jewelry.

Find a collection of Kwiat rings, bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings. 

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.

Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers. 

In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs. 

For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone. 

Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt. 

On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.