THE MAGAZINE by KELLEY JEWELERS
What a remarkable year it has been for Kelley Jeweler’s.
From exploring the heart of luxury watches in Switzerland, attending jewelry shows and to touring the rugged landscapes of Montana in search of sapphires, our journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
One of the highlights this year was attending Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland. Immersing ourselves in the watch capital of the world, where we were introduced to the exciting new Rolex models for 2024.
In August, our friends from Parle invited us to tour the Rock Creek Sapphire Mining district near Philipsburg Montana to experience the Potentate mining operation. Walking through the rugged terrain where these precious gems are unearthed was a humbling experience. With over 3000 acres of privately owned land, the district is the largest sapphire mine/operation in the world. Rock Creek sapphires, the only true American gemstone. Their vibrant blues, greens,
pinks and yellows will soon find their way into exclusive Kelley Jewelers pieces—heirlooms waiting to be cherished for generations to come.
This year we added luxury jewelry designers, Roberto Coin and Kwiat while expanding our offerings of designer jewelry. Some of these designer’s pieces are featured in the ever-popular Gift Guide on pages 50-51.
At Kelley Jewelers, we believe in the magic of connection, whether it’s between you and the perfect piece of jewelry or with the stories behind every diamond, gemstone and watch. As we reflect on the incredible year, we are excited about what lies ahead. For 93 years, we’ve helped you celebrate life’s special occasions. It has been our privilege to serve the outstanding community of Western Oklahoma. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to continuing to bring you exceptional craftsmanship, quality and service.
We wish you and your family a year ahead filled with success and joy!
With kind regards,
Kim Ingram, President/CEO
Kim Ingram
Above: Watches & Wonders, Rock Creek Sapphire Mining district, Kelley Jewelers.
VENETIAN PRINCESS PIROUETTE
Roberto Coin’s distinctive style
Diamond Master
As CEO of a growing family business, Greg Kwiat grew up with diamonds all around him.
As CEO of a thriving family business, Greg Kwiat grew up with diamonds all around him.
IIgrew up with diamonds all around me,” Greg Kwiat said as he sat at his desk in Kwiat’s offices on Manhattan’s tony Madison Avenue. “On school holidays my brothers and I would go into the office with my father. We were paid to crawl around on the floor and see if one of the jewelers had dropped a 1 or 2 point diamond. If we found one, we’d get $1. ”On a good day, each boy could make $7 or $8, and receive an even more valuable recompense—a feeling they were contributing value to the family business.
grew up with diamonds all around me,” Greg Kwiat said as he sat at his desk in Kwiat’s offices on Manhattan’s tony Madison Avenue. “On school holidays my brothers and I would go into the office with my father. We were paid to crawl around on the floor and see if one of the jewelers had dropped a 1 or 2 point diamond. If we found one, we’d get $1.” On a good day, each boy could make $7 or $8, and receive an even more valuable recompense—a feeling they were contributing value to the family business.
Greg Kwiat’s leap from diamond scavenger to CEO of the family diamond firm wasn’t always inevitable. “I joined in 2004, after 5 years at Goldman Sachs,” he explained. His father Lowell is Chairman, his brother Russell the COO and his other brother Cory, the Chief Digital Officer. “In a family business we all collaborate,” Greg said. The secret to working together, he continued, is “having respect for each others’contributions.”
Greg Kwiat’s leap from diamond scavenger to CEO of the family diamond firm wasn’t inevitable. “I joined in 2004, after five years at Goldman Sachs,” he explained. His father, Lowell, is Chairman, his brother Russell the COO and his other brother Cory, the Chief Digital Officer. “In a family business we all collaborate,” Greg said. The secret to working together, he continued, is “having respect for each
others’ contributions.”
It's a formula that works. The Kwiat diamond business was started 115 years ago by Greg’s great grandfather, Sam Kwiat, a diamond trader. “In the 1930s my grandfather, David, started designing jewelry, making classic things like engagement rings and ear studs.”
It's a formula that works. The Kwiat diamond business was started 115 years ago by Greg’s great-grandfather, Sam Kwiat, a diamond trader. “In the 1930s my grandfather, David, started designing jewelry, making classic things like engagements rings and ear studs.”
Kwiat also started supplying diamonds and making jewelry for the top luxury houses, like Harry Winston and Cartier. But in the 1990s that line of the business stopped and Kwiat started focusing on making a name for its own jewelry. Today there is a Kwiat diamond boutique further up Madison Avenue from the company’s offices, and Kwiat jewelry is also available at the country’s top luxury retailers.
Kwiat also started supplying diamonds and making jewelry for the top luxury houses, like Harry Winston and Cartier. But in the 1990s that line of the business stopped and Kwiat started focusing on making a name for its own jewelry. Today there is a Kwiat diamond boutique further up Madison Avenue from the company’s offices, and Kwiat jewelry is also available at the country’s top luxury retailers.
One of the stars of retail is the Cluster Collection. “By mixing different shapes and sizes of diamonds we can create an elegant piece that has a larger scale and more texture and drama,” Greg explained. Referring to a floral cluster earring, he said “by grouping five pear shaped diamonds in an earring you create a very important look, but keep the price down.”
One of the stars of retail is the Cluster Collection. “By mixing different shapes and sizes of diamonds we can create an elegant piece
Rings with Kwiat Cushion™ diamonds
Greg Kwiat
The five diamonds in the cluster can deliver the same impact of one much larger, and much more expensive diamond.
that has a larger scale and more texture and drama,” Greg explained. Referring to a floral cluster earring, he said, “by grouping five pearshaped diamonds in an earring you create a very important look, but keep the price down.” The five diamonds in the cluster can deliver the same impact of one much larger, and much more expensive diamond.
“Cluster styles have a long place in our history,” Greg said. “They were a favorite of my grandfather, he loved a cluster. It’s in our DNA. This year we added a number of new designs to our Cluster Collection including some larger scale styles and some ‘front and back’ designs. In the front and back designs, part of the earring is on the ear as a stud and an additional part appears to float below the earlobe, connected to the top behind the ear. Some new clusters are extensions of our iconic American Beauty collection, which combine marquise and pear shape diamonds to create movement and texture.”
“Cluster styles have a long place in our history,” Greg said. “They were a favorite of my grandfather, he loved a Cluster. It’s in our DNA. This year we added a number of new designs to our Cluster Collection, including some larger scale styles and some ‘front and back’ designs. In the front and back designs, part of the earring is on the ear as a stud and an additional part appears to float below the earlobe, connected to the top behind the ear. Some new clusters are extensions of our iconic American Beauty collection, which combines marquise and pear-shape diamonds to create movement and texture.”
Kwiat is also renowned for its Kwiat Tiara cuts—a collection of exclusive cuts including the Kwiat Round™, Kwiat Cushion™, Fred Leighton Round™ and Ashoka . These cuts return more light to the eye, creating a brighter looking stone that sparkles more,” Greg said. “The cut of a diamond is what unlocks its fire and brilliance, and the Kwiat Tiara cuts give the diamond the widest possible diameter to appear larger than other diamonds of comparable carat weight.”
Kwiat is also renown for its Kwiat Tiara® Cut. Adding to the dazzle a diamond delivers, the trademarked cut, “returns more light to the eye, creating a brighter, larger-looking stone that sparkles more,” Greg said. “The cut of a diamond is what unlocks its fire, and the Kwiat Tiara® Cut gives the gemstone the widest possible diameter to appear larger than other diamonds of comparable carat weight, and also to appear whiter, brighter, more brilliant.”
The most recently introduced is the Kwiat Cushion™. “It is our proprietary elongated cushion shape, cut to ‘Kwiat perfection’ with maximum brilliance and beauty,” Greg explained. “It has been a tremendous success immediately from the launch, and we will build on that. “Kwiat diamonds earn the highest accolades possible.
The Kwiat Cushion diamond is another unique creation. “It is our proprietary elongated cushion shape, cut to ‘Kwiat perfection’ with maximum brilliance and beauty,” Greg explained. “It has been a tremendous success immediately from the launch, and we
will build on that.”
Each round diamond has been awarded the Triple Excellent status from the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America which is the standard bearer of diamond quality. The Triple Excellent status applies to round diamonds that have been graded on cut, polish and symmetry. The grades range from Poor to Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent. Kwiat’s round diamonds earn “Excellent” in all aspects.
It’s crystal clear: Whether creating a dramatic statement earring to ornament an evening gown for a black tie night, or a simple pair of diamond studs to wear every day with jeans and a t-shirt, the Kwiat diamonds used are of the highest quality.
Kwiat diamonds earn the highest accolades possible. Each round diamond has been awarded the Triple Excellence status from the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, which is the standardbearer of diamond quality. The Triple Excellence status applies to round diamonds that have been graded on cut, polish and symmetry. The grades range from Poor to Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent. Kwiat’s round diamonds earn “Excellent” in all aspects.
It’s crystal clear: Whether creating a dramatic statement earring to ornament an evening gown for a black-tie night, or a simple pair of diamond studs to wear every day with jeans and a T-shirt, the Kwiat diamonds used are of the highest quality.
Little wonder demand is growing and Kwiat plans to grow its retail presence. “Our future plans are to grow our partnerships with our local authorized dealers across the United States. The strength of the Kwiat brand is built on the discerning quality and fine reputations of our local partners. These relationships have always been at the core of our business, and growing them is the foundation of our future.”
It’s little wonder that demand is growing and Kwiat plans to expand its retail presence. “Our future plans are to grow our partnerships with our local authorized dealers across the United States. The strength of the Kwiat brand is built on the discerning quality and fine reputations of our local partners. These relationships have always been at the core of our business, and growing them is the foundation of our future.”
Another plan for the future might be grooming a fifth generation of Kwiats to join the business. Greg’s and his brothers’ children are all still very young, (the oldest is 12), so it’s too early to predict their future talents and tastes. But just in case they might be headed to the family firm, they do as their fathers did. They visit the office and hunt for dropped diamonds, just like the generation before them— except now they receive $2 for each diamond discovered.
Another plan for the future might be grooming a 5th generation of Kwiats to join the business. Greg’s and his brothers’ children are all still young, so it’s too early to predict their future talents and tastes. But just in case they might be headed to the family firm, they do as their fathers did. They visit the office and hunt for dropped diamonds, just like the generation before them—except now they receive $2 for each diamond discovered.
Cluster Collection
From the Cluster Collection
