Wedding Rings with Personality

Did you know that more than half of brides (57%) would change something about their engagement ring if they could, with the biggest gripe being wanting a bigger stone (19%)? Despite this, only 36% actually would go through with upgrading. So, as they say, “Choose your wedding ring wisely, I repeat choose your wedding ring wisely.” You have to live with it for rest of your life, so you better love it.

Our Editor-in-Chief, Hilary Rowland’s gorgeous but non-traditional engagement ring

I assume that your guy is the right guy because you’re headed down the isle. As we know every person has their own preferences. Bringing two individuals together to purchase wedding rings can be a bit challenging. The goal is to come up with the perfect wedding ring that is suitable to the taste and lifestyle of both partners.

Many factors come into play when choosing your rings. You have to consider the quality of metal, type of stone, and price range. You both have to remember what the other one likes and doesn’t like. After all, wedding rings are a daily reminder of the partnership and commitment between two people.

For this feature, we interviewed Russell Kwiat, one of the owners of Urbanette’s favorite jewelry line, Kwiat, known for its unique and delicate fine jewelry.

Urbanette Magazine: Wedding rings are primary symbols of a marriage. How important is choosing the right wedding ring?

Russell Kwiat: Your wedding rings reflect the emotion of eternal love. I am often asked if the wedding ring should exactly match the band of the engagement ring, which hand do I wear the band on, or should the engagement ring be worn on the right hand and band on the left. People often get caught up on the “rules”.

“I feel quite strongly when I tell couples there are no rules. You can and should do whatever you feel evokes your relationship and personal style.”

Urbanette: How did you get started in jewelry creation and design?

Russell: My great grandfather, Sam Kwiat, founded Kwiat over a century ago. From a small shop in New York City’s original diamond district on the lower east side of Manhattan, he built a reputation for beautiful diamonds and jewelry.

“That’s where it all started. My grandfather joined him, and my father and his brother followed. From the time I was very young, I have memories of watching my grandfather design while my father inspected diamonds. I grew up around a family that is truly dedicated to our craft.”

Joining the family tradition was a natural step—diamonds and jewelry are in my blood.

Urbanette: What are the elements of a truly symbolic wedding ring? How should a wedding ring be different from an engagement ring?

Russell: Tradition is important but we have gone beyond the days that your only option was a thin gold band. Our clients have a variety of choices when selecting their wedding bands. From colored stones to intricate designs to a secret inscription, the elements customers seek are dependent on their personal style.

Nothing has to match in the traditional sense anymore. More and more women consider how wearable a ring is when selecting their band. Depending on their profession and lifestyle, she may choose a pave diamond band, a platinum band, or a shared prong eternity ring. And guys, be prepared, she is probably going to want more than one at some point. Remember, they also make beautiful anniversary gifts!

Urbanette: Couples have varying ideas as to how their rings should look and feel. How do you brainstorm with your clients to create the design that aligns perfectly with their vision?

Russell: The most popular shapes today are the round brilliant and the cushion shape. People love the classic beauty of the round diamond and the vintage elegance of the cushion. We focus on customization and exceptional craftsmanship in our bridal creations. Our clients are discerning, and they want to be actively involved in the process of creating the ring from the selection of the center stone to the details of the setting.

“All Kwiat rings are then handmade in our workshop, so that our clients have a piece that is created just for them.”

The Kwiat store on Madison avenue

Urbanette: Should all wedding rings have diamonds? What are the other usual gems used for them?

Russell: Many of our customers prefer a ring that has a timeless feel, which may mean a classic diamond style. We have the occasional request for sapphires as an engagement stone, but diamonds have been and will always be the primary choice. Colored diamonds continue to be a niche market for engagement rings. Customers that choose a yellow or pink diamond want something different and reflection of what they love. They know they want a colored diamond before they walk through the door.

Urbanette: What was the most challenging customization you’ve had to make?

Russell: Each customer is unique and has different requirements. We work with together to create a ring that is special to them. We are also very discreet and dedicated to fulfilling our client’s desires. Kwiat has a superior team; there isn’t anything that we can’t handle.

Urbanette: Who was your most memorable client?

Russell: The best part of what we do is having the opportunity to share some of life’s most important moments. From engagement rings to anniversaries to welcoming a new child, we want each moment to be extraordinary. It is an honor and a pleasure to have this opportunity and each of our clients is part the family.

That said, some of the most memorable clients I’ve worked with are the couples who worked with my grandfather when they got engaged. Years later, their children are engaged with Kwiat, and years after that they are all visiting us at the Madison Avenue boutique. I love hearing their stories about my grandfather and these customers exemplify what Kwiat is about.

Side note: All Kwiat diamonds are natural and conflict free. Kwiat complies with all guidelines and regulations of the Kimberley Process, the UN sponsored program designed to certify the origins of diamond sources which are free of conflict. Kwiat diamonds are mined in many different areas of the world including Russia, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Canada. All Kwiat diamonds are purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. Kwiat guarantees that our diamonds are conflict free based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the suppliers of the diamonds.