Tiffany & Co. is one of the most prominent purveyors of luxury goods in the United States, and has long been an important arbiter of style in the design of diamond engagement rings. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed to his future wife, Eleanor, with a Tiffany ring in 1904. Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and members of the Russian imperial family all wore Tiffany & Co. jewelry. And Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis preferred Tiffany china for state dinners at the White House.
Although synonymous with luxury today, the firm started out rather modestly. Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. In 1853, Charles Tiffany — who in 1845 had launched the company’s famed catalog, the Blue Book, and with it, the firm’s signature robin’s-egg blue, which he chose for the cover — shifted the focus to fine jewelry.
In 1868, Tiffany & Co. gained international recognition when it became the first U.S. firm to win an award for excellence in silverware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. From then on, it belonged to the pantheon of American luxury brands.
At the start of the Gilded Age, in 1870, Tiffany & Co. opened its flagship store, described as a "palace of jewels" by the New York Times, at 15 Union Square West in Manhattan. Throughout this period, its designs for silver tableware, ceremonial silver, flatware and jewelry were highly sought-after indicators of status and taste. They also won the firm numerous accolades, including the grand prize for silverware at the Paris Exposition of 1878. Among the firm’s glittering creations from this time are masterworks of Art Nouveau jewelry, such as this delicate aquamarine necklace and this lavish plique-à-jour peridot and gold necklace, both circa 1900.
When Charles Lewis Tiffany died, in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany became the firm’s design director. Under his leadership, the Tiffany silver studio was a de facto design school for apprentice silversmiths, who worked alongside head artisan Edward C. Moore. The firm produced distinctive objects inspired by Japanese art and design, North American plants and flowers, and Native American patterns and crafts, adding aesthetic diversity to Tiffany & Co.’s distinguished repertoire.
Tiffany is also closely associated with diamonds, even lending its name to one particularly rare and exceptional yellow stone. The firm bought the Tiffany diamond in its raw state from the Kimberley mines of South Africa in 1878. Cut to create a 128.54-carat gem with an unprecedented 82 facets, it is one of the most spectacular examples of a yellow diamond in the world.
In a broader sense, Tiffany & Co. helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular engagement-ring styles. The trademark Tiffany® Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light. A lovely recent example is this circa-2000 platinum engagement ring. Displaying a different design and aesthetic (but equally chic) is this exquisite diamond and ruby ring from the 1930s.
Find Tiffany & Co. jewelry, serveware and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Tiffany & Co. Antique Glass and Silver Inkwell, Circa 1905, USA
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in York, GB
This Tiffany & Co glass and silver mounted inkwell dates from around 1905 and is a beautiful antique piece that exudes elegance and craftsmanship. Made of glass with silver/silver g...
Sterling Silver
Victorian novelty silver tumbler in the form of a thimble, "just a thimbleful"
Located in York, GB
A fine Victorian novelty silver tumbler in the form of a thimble, by well known maker Walter and George Myers. Assay mark for Birmingham and dating to 1876. This is realistically mod...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Single Sovereign Case Edwardian 1910 Birmingham
By Aaron Lufkin Dennison
Located in York, GB
Antique Edwardian 1910 Birmingham Sterling Silver Single Sovereign Case by Aaron Lufkin Dennison weighs approx. 20 g The size being 4cm diameter In very good condition with only min...
Silver
Tiffany & Co. a late 19th century American sterling silver hip flask
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in York, GB
Tiffany & Co. a late 19th century American sterling silver hip flask, oval, repousse with foliate scrolls, engraved with the date "1900", with screw-hinged cover, stamped marks. 14.5...
Silver
Asprey London Sterling Silver Watch Fob Bracelet, Antique 20th Century
By Asprey International Limited
Located in York, GB
An Asprey London small watch fob style bracelet engraved to toggle clasp 'Asprey London approx length 18cm, approx total weight 1.70 ozt marked 925 indicating sterling silver qualit...
Silver
Garrards silver/ silver gilt armada dish commemorating the spanish armada 400 yr
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in York, GB
GARRARD & CO: A rare cased silver and silver gilt dish . London 1988.Made to commemorate the 400 th anniversary of the spanish armada 1588-1988. circular form, with a silver-gilt bor...
Silver
Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Magnifying Glass
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical sterling silver magnifying glass. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1900. Round lens in sterling silver frame with chased scrolls, flowers, and diaper. Ha...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver 2002 Magnifying Glass
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver magnifying glass. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. With engraved leaf designs to the handle. Marked to the side of the handle. Together with its a ...
Sterling Silver
TIFFANY & CO. 1905 Charles T. Cook Desk Magnifier Glass In .925 Sterling Silver
By Charles Cooke, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
A desk magnifier glass designed by Tiffany & Co. This is a desk magnifier glass created in 1905 at the Tiffany & Co. in New York City. This beautiful piece was carefully crafted during the Edwardian period in solid sterling silver .925/.999 and fitted with a round loupe glass, which is framed into the sterling. The magnifier is very useful and was made under the Tiffany's directory period of Charles T. Cook (1902-1907). As with all Tiffany pieces, the quality and design are beyond compared. Exceptional and rare example of Tiffany's finest work. This a perfect gift and display beautiful in a desk. Country: New York City, United States. Period: Edwardian, 1905 Designer: Period C, for 1902-1907 Charles T. Cook. Weight: 266.5 Grams, (170.85 Dwt). Measurements: 210 mm by 106 mm by 16 mm (8.25 x 4.16 x 0.63 inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the "C" for the period of Charles T. Cook and signed in full as follows. "TIFFANY & CO. MAKERS STERLING SILVER C.". Tiffany Hallmarking Tiffany silver holloware and flatware is generally marked Tiffany & Co and generally includes date letters indicating the period it was made. Flatware also usually includes a pattern number. The first date letter "M (old English) used by Tiffany’s represented Edward C. Moore, who was the head of tiffany's silver operations until 1891. after his death, the date letters were based on the initial of the current tiffany president; 1891-1902 Charles L. Tiffany (T), 1902-1907 Charles T. Cook (C), 1907-1947 John C. Moore (M), 1947-1955 Louis De Bian Moore (B), 1955-ca.1965 William T. Lusk (L). The Tiffany dynasty Was founded in 1837 at 259 Broadway in New York City by Charles Louis Tiffany and partner John B. Young. It began not as a jewelry & silver emporium...
Sterling Silver, Silver
English Sterling Silver Magnifying Glass with Engine-Turned Handle
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
English Sterling Silver Magnifying Glass with Engine-Turned Handle An elegant English sterling silver magnifying glass, distinguished by its refined proportions and timeless design. The tapered handle features an attractive engine-turned decoration with a vacant oval cartouche suitable for a monogram, while the circular lens is framed by a delicately twisted silver border that adds a subtle decorative touch. Combining practicality with understated sophistication, this piece reflects the restrained elegance characteristic of fine English silverwork. Originally intended as a gentleman's desk accessory, it is equally suited today as a decorative object for a study, library, or office, as well as an appealing addition to a collection of antique writing accessories...
Sterling Silver
Silver Plate Victorian Repoussé Magnifying Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Silver Plated magnifying glass with ornate handle of Repousse Silver. A Wonderful addition to any sophisticated desk, used to magnify or as a paperweight. A compleme...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Paperweight weighted & unengraved
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Huntington, NY
Tiffany &co Sterling Silver paperweight Never before engraved. This weighted sterling silver paperweight makes a great gift for someone who has everything. A Classic design
Sterling Silver
The actress and Benny Blanco tied the knot with style in Santa Barbara over the weekend.
Diamonds and sapphires still played a starring role, but less popular stones popped up too.
