Tiffany & Co.: Beyond the Blue

Tiffany & Co.: Beyond the Blue

A renowned brand that will never be forgotten, Tiffany & Co. has remained an integral part of the jewelry industry for nearly 200 years. Tiffany, which sets the standard for jewelry, has become a brand suitable for all occasions. When you think of the name Tiffany, an image of Audrey Hepburn eating breakfast in front of the infamous flagship store in her iconic black dress and pearls probably comes to mind.

Often we think of the iconic blue box and what might be inside it. Many people know the name, but few know its continuing history and legacy. From their beginnings to today, we're taking a journey through time to discover what defines Tiffany & Co.

In 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young began establishing a fancy goods store called Tiffany & Co in New York. The store was established as a place to sell luxury goods, and in 1845 it launched its first direct mail service. We benchmarked the beginning of luxury goods marketing through American catalogs.

For many people who don't know what a mail catalog is, this style of marketing publication is designed as a way to order goods from the comfort of your home. Although it is not a popular marketing strategy these days due to the internet and apps, it has allowed customers to order products and have them delivered to their homes or retail stores for years.

Create headlines and get started with standards

Tiffany & Co. has a long history of accomplishments and milestones that solidify their legacy. Many of their accomplishments have come from working collaboratively with governments, Hollywood, artists, and even sports teams. Tiffany & Co. also created its own standards, establishing the first standards for the public that are still widely known and used today.

In 1848, the company was founded as the first major jeweler in the United States to sell gemstones such as diamonds. Not only was Tiffany the first to sell jewelry, but in 1851 he established the .925 standard for sterling silver that is still used today. Many brands, such as David Yurman and John Hardy, as well as Tiffany, apply this standard to their jewelry. The .925 standard indicates that the metal combination consists of 92.5% silver, with the remaining percentages comprised of other metal alloys.

Here are some other notable moments from their history:

  • 1868: Luxury items made of gold were sold to the American public.

  • 1885: The Great Seal of the United States was redesigned.

  • 1886: The Tiffany setting becomes a classic style for engagement rings.

  • 1878: Tiffany purchases the 128.54-carat “Tiffany Diamond,” cut from a 287.42-carat fancy yellow diamond.

  • 1940: New York flagship store opens at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue.

If there are a few things Tiffany & Co. is known for, it's their covetable collections and memorable collaborations with artists to create cinematic looks. In 1961, the New York flagship store debuted with Audrey Hepburn in the hit Hollywood film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and later appeared in other films. Along with his Hollywood appearances, he collaborated with the National Football League (NFL) in 1967 and the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1978 to create iconic trophies. Through all of these collaborations, Tiffany & Co. has shifted styles and designs, working with artists to create memorable collections.

artist collaboration

If you're a Tiffany fan, you need to know all of the artist collaborations and Tiffany's most memorable collections. Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti, and Paloma Picasso are names to remember. Because each artist has a collection that continues today.

The first artist to take the helm in 1956, Jean Schlumberger created whimsical designs combining precious stones and gold of different sizes and colors with the natural beauty of wildlife. These pieces are extravagant and worth top dollar you will pay.

In 1974, Elsa Peretti brought her contemporary designs to life with Tiffany jewelry. Her inclusion has made her collections like Open Heart, Bean, Teardrop, Bone Cuffs, Wave, etc. featured in the fashionista's jewelery collection. One of her most memorable collections, Diamonds by the Yard, established the everyday wear collection associated with diamonds.

Paloma Picasso, the daughter of infamous artist Pablo Picasso and painter Françoise Gilo, started Tiffany & Co. in 1980, incorporating street art into jewelry. Her collection, which was inspired by New York's graffiti, takes Tiffany & Co. in a whole new direction by embodying designs seen on the streets.

collection

Tiffany has many different collections, and they continue to evolve as many people reinvent and create more. Some of these infamous collections include:

  • Return to Tiffany Collection (RTT)

  • 1837 collection

  • Atlas Collection

  • Tiffany T Collection

  • tiffany key collection

Of all these collections, Return to Tiffany is one of the most enduring of all their creations. This piece, which began as a simple heart-shaped key ring in 1969, marked the beginning of its iconic history. The keyring, a popular Valentine's Day gift, is embossed with the iconic “Please Return to Tiffany & Co. New York” phrase and serial number, so it can be returned if lost. Although it no longer has a serial number, the RTT continues to be a staple in every jewelry box today.

Sustainability and philanthropy have become very special initiatives for the company. It all started around 1995. It all started with efforts to dissuade the construction of gold mines near Yellowstone National Park and continued from there. We've seen them donate heavily to efforts such as conserving the Great Barrier Reef, conserving wildlife and taking responsibility for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In fact, in 2000, the company launched Tiffany & Co., which focuses on conservation and art. A foundation was established. Through all of these efforts, as of 2020, Tiffany & Co. announced that it had awarded more than $85 million in grants over several years, an honorable achievement for many companies.

The world of jewelry continues to change and morph into new things, but it still maintains its role in the fashion industry. Pioneering the way jewelry is made, sold and marketed, Tiffany & Co. has established a long-lasting legacy that continues to expand and establish it as a pioneer in the industry. Although we haven't covered the entirety of Tiffany & Co.'s proud and extensive history, one thing remains true. The truth is that every fashionista, regardless of style, should have at least one Tiffany & Co. piece in their collection.

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany & Co. Timeline. https://www.tiffany.com/world-of-tiffany/the-world-of-tiffany-timeline.

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Milestones: Tiffany’s Legacy of Sustainability.
https://www.tiffany.com/sustainability/timeline/.

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