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.
Antique 14K Yellow Gold 0.73tgw Sapphire & Old Cut Diamond Floral Cluster Bangle
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian sapphire, diamond, and yellow gold bangle, comprising one cushion shaped blue sapphire, and eight old mine cut diamonds, in 14 karat yellow gold. My favourite thing abo...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,797
H 0.34 in W 0.78 in D 0.34 in Dm 0.78 in L 6.5 in
Antique Circa 1900 15k Yellow Gold Sapphire & Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.19 carat sapphire and 0.07 carat diamond, 15 karat yellow gold bangle; part of our diverse antique jewellery collections. This fine and impressive antique sapphire bangle has been crafted in 15k yellow gold. The bangle is composed by two rope twist decorated borders, with a subtle textured finish. The central incurved overlaid setting features a central oval panel ornamented with a star set round faceted cut sapphire. The anterior surface of the bracelet is ornamented with two further star set sapphires alternating with two Dutch cut diamonds. The overlaid panel is further embellished with scrolling rope twist decoration in junction with the broad borders, and is flanked with two trefoil ball style motifs. This gold bracelet secures to the side via a push fit clasp and benefits from a fine link safety chain. This sapphire and diamond bangle is hallmarked to the reverse of the tongue with a 15k gold fineness mark (15). This impressive bangle is supplied with an independent diamond and gemstone grading report card. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone in this antique sapphire and diamond bangle...
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Victorian 0.50ct Diamond and Sapphire Bangle, c1880s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1880s this stunning bangle features an alternating display of old cut diamonds and sapphires. Set in beautifully hand carved 15 carat rose gold, five diamonds totalling...
Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold
Victorian 18KT Gold Graduated Sapphire Bangle
Located in Braintree, GB
A Victorian hinged bangle in 18KT yellow gold, set to the front with a single row of graduated natural blue sapphires. The design is elegant and restrained, with the sapphires formin...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Bangle
Located in London, GB
A Victorian sapphire and diamond carved half hoop bangle, the nine oval-cut faceted sapphires weighing approximately 6.8 carats alternatively set with ten vertical rows of two round old brilliant-cut diamonds in-between weighing an estimated total of 2.20 carats, all claw-set to a hand carved scrolled gold mount and carved shoulders, to a hinged yellow gold bangle...
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. .64 Carat Round Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Authentic Tiffany & Co. hinged bangle bracelet beautifully crafted in 18k yellow gold with rich blue color sapphires and brilliant round diamonds in an alternating pattern of 4 b...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 3.60ct Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet c.1980s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in London, GB
From the designer Tiffany & Co. comes this incredible bracelet. Crafted in 18 carat yellow gold, this vintage piece is adorned with a collection of intense blue sapphires and sp...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Bangle with Lapis and Sapphires
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Bangle with Lapis and Sapphires - The center stone is Lapis and measures 7 x 4.8mm. There are 4 round sapphires that wei...
Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Title: Estate Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Bangle - VHK#499B
Located in Hicksville, NY
Title: Estate Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Bangle - VHK#499B Item Details: Year: 1900s Metal Type: 14K Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 12.43 grams (All Items...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique GIA No Heat Sapphire Diamond Bracelet 19k Yellow Gold Leitao & Irmao
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique diamond & natural sapphire bracelet by Leitao & Irmao (circa 1887-1937). Crafted in Portuguese 19k yellow gold, the bracelet is a remarkable example...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Temple St. Clair 1.75 CTW Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Leaf Bangle Bracelet
By Temple St. Clair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bangle is comprised of gold foliate forms with engraved leaf details Featuring round cut sapphires bezel set in pattern fully around Weighing approximately 1.75 carats total Transpar...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 44.00 CTW Sapphire Diamond 10K Gold Antique Foliate Link Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of silver-topped links each pierced with a scrolling foliate motif Featuring bezel set round and oval shaped sapphire cabochons Weighing approximately 42.00 carats total - ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian 3.00 CTW Ruby Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Antique Laurel Bangle Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as an oval-shaped bangle bracelet accented by twisting laurel motif fully around Featuring six stations comprised of bezel set round cut rubies and diamonds Rubies weigh app...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
H. Stern 1950's Multi-Gem 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Floral Foliate Link Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of hinged gold oval-shaped links each centering an oval cut gemstone Comprised of prong set amethyst, citrine, topaz, tourmalines, and garnet Transparent purple, orange, li...
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Topaz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1940s Retro Sapphire Diamond 18K Gold Vintage Floral Cocktail Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a dimensional floral burst motif featuring calfs-head cut sapphire petals With additional calfs head and round cut sapphires prong and bezel set in burst Weighing approxi...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Art Nouveau 6.50 CTW Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Antique Scrolling Link Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Art Nouveau 6.50 CTW Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Antique Scrolling Link Bracelet Comprised of hinged bezel and panel links pierced with a woven scroll motif Bezel set with old mine cut d...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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.
