Brand · American diamond house est. 1907

Kwiat

Four generations of New York diamonds — from Canal Street trader to Madison Avenue jeweller.

Kwiat
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Kwiat is an American jewelry company based in New York City, founded in 1907 by Polish immigrant Samuel Kwiat — still privately owned and operated by the Kwiat family.

Samuel opened a shop on Canal Street in Manhattan's original diamond district. His son David joined in 1933, learning diamond cutting and expanding into design — in 1965 cutting a 126-carat rough into the 50-carat 'Teardrop of Africa' for Harry Winston. For decades Kwiat supplied diamonds to Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston, before marketing directly to consumers under its own name from 2005.

The fourth generation now leads, with Greg Kwiat as CEO. The house opened its first Madison Avenue flagship in 2007, acquired antique-jewellery house Fred Leighton in 2009, and is known for proprietary designs including the Ashoka diamond and the floating-basket Kwiat Setting.

Kwiat shopping FAQ

Why is Kwiat so expensive?+

Kwiat's pricing reflects more than a century of family expertise in diamonds and fine jewelry, plus a focus on cut quality and meticulous finishing. The house is known for proprietary, trademarked offerings and exacting standards rather than commodity stones, which adds to the cost. For buyers who care about provenance and cut precision, that heritage and craftsmanship is much of what they are paying for.

Is a Kwiat engagement ring worth it?+

Kwiat is best known for its engagement rings, wedding bands and high-end diamond collections, and it has a long-standing reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Its signature Kwiat Setting features a floating diamond basket, and its Kwiat Tiara Diamonds are selected to exceed Gemological Institute of America (GIA) cut standards. If you want a heritage-house diamond with a distinctive setting and rigorous selection, it earns its place on the shortlist.

What is the Ashoka diamond, and is it exclusive to Kwiat?+

The Ashoka is a patented diamond cut originally developed by William Goldberg, and Kwiat is its exclusive U.S. distributor. It is one of several proprietary cuts that distinguish the house, alongside the Fred Leighton Round, a proprietary cut inspired by antique old European cuts. Choosing an Ashoka through Kwiat means buying a cut you simply cannot get the same way elsewhere in the U.S.

Which Kwiat piece should I consider first?+

Engagement rings are Kwiat's signature, so the Kwiat Setting with its floating diamond basket is the natural entry point if you are ring shopping. If you are buying for an occasion rather than a proposal, the high-end diamond collections — earrings, bracelets and necklaces — are where the house's cut quality also shines. Start with the category that matches the moment, and let the cut do the talking.

Where can I buy Kwiat jewelry?+

Kwiat jewelry is sold at the company's own boutiques in New York City and Las Vegas, through its website, and at authorized retailers across the United States and internationally. Its first flagship boutique opened on Madison Avenue in New York City in 2007. Buying through a company boutique or an authorized retailer is the way to be sure you are getting genuine Kwiat pieces.

Who founded Kwiat and when?+

Kwiat was founded in 1907 by Samuel Kwiat, a Polish immigrant who established a shop on Canal Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, then considered New York City's original diamond district. He began by trading in diamonds and later developed an interest in vintage jewelry and the antique auction market. That 1907 founding makes Kwiat one of America's enduring family diamond houses.

Is Kwiat still family-owned?+

Yes. Kwiat remains privately owned and operated by the Kwiat family, with successive generations overseeing its operations. Today Lowell Kwiat's sons lead the business — Greg as CEO, Russell as COO, and Cory as Chief Digital Officer — having joined in the early 2000s. Greg Kwiat is widely recognized as a diamond expert and is frequently cited in media covering jewelry and luxury.

What is the connection between Kwiat and Fred Leighton?+

In 2009, Kwiat acquired Fred Leighton, a noted antique jewelry house, for $25.8 million. The relationship also shows up in the product line through the Fred Leighton Round, a proprietary diamond cut inspired by antique old European cuts. So buying into Kwiat today can also mean access to Fred Leighton's antique-inspired sensibility.

What's a notable moment in Kwiat's history?+

In 1965, David Kwiat purchased a 126-carat rough diamond and cut it into the 50-carat 'Teardrop of Africa' for Harry Winston — a vivid example of the house's diamond-cutting pedigree. For several decades Kwiat also operated as a diamond supplier to major jewelers including Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston before beginning to market directly to consumers under its own name in 2005. That supplier history is part of why its cut quality is so respected.

Do celebrities wear Kwiat?+

Yes, Kwiat has been documented on a number of public figures at major events. Margot Robbie wore Kwiat diamond eternity bands at the 2024 Governors Awards and five-row Kwiat diamond earrings at the 2024 Academy Awards, while Anne Hathaway received a six-carat solitaire Kwiat engagement ring in 2011. Others photographed in the house include Natalie Portman, Zoë Kravitz and Emma Stone, the last in a Kwiat and Fred Leighton choker at the 2025 Tony Awards.