History
FOREVER SHINING
Like the jewels that are at the heart of our success story, Schwanke-Kasten boasts a bright past—and brighter future. 1899 – Alstead Kasten creates Alstead Kasten and Co. 1936 – William Schwanke, a watchmaker, partners with Mr. Kasten to form Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers. 1949 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers opens original Whitefish Bay “Residential Store” at 236 E. Silver Spring Dr. 1955 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an Official Rolex Jeweler. 1957 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers wins one of the 23 awards at Diamonds International, a worldwide competition, for a “spray-pin of diamonds.” 1957 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers provides 43-piece Gregorian silver set for U.S.S. Wisconsin. 1958 – William Schwanke’s wife, Mercedes, takes over Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, making it a progressive woman-owned business for the time. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers closes its original 323 E. Wisconsin Ave. location. 1985 – Malcom Dixon, Mercedes’ nephew, buys the jewelry store.
1989 – Thomas Dixon takes over after his father passes away unexpectedly. 1993 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes one of the first 10 Breitling dealers. 2002 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers begins carrying the iconic Roberto Coin Jewelry line. 2005 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers moves to its current location, 417 E. Silver Spring Dr. 2013 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Tudor dealer, as Tudor re-enters the U.S. market. 2013 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Rahaminov dealer. 2019 – Charlie Dixon joins full time as Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ VP of marketing and advertising. 2019 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Grand Seiko dealer. 2020 – Construction begins on the upstairs project, a new luxury retail experience. 2021 – Ippolita is added to the celebrated jewelry lines. 2021 – The construction project is complete.
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