Tiffany & Co. needs no introduction. Many are familiar with its Robin egg blue boxes—officially trademarked as Tiffany Blue®—that come with each of their precious pieces. Few brands have reached the same level of significance where they are easily associated with a color. It’s more than just branding, it’s become a status symbol. And you have to admit, there’s just something about this vibrant hue that makes receiving it as a gift a hundred times more special.
But how exactly did the brand come to be? And why did they choose blue of all colors? Get to know more about the history of Tiffany & Co. and its most iconic pieces.
Table of Contents:
- History of Tiffany & Co.
- Origin of "Tiffany Blue"
- Tiffany & Co’s Most Iconic Pieces
- Where to Shop Tiffany and Co. in the Philippines
A Brief History of Tiffany & Co.
In the heart of New York City in 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany and J. B Young launched what would soon become a legend: Tiffany & Young (as it was formally known), a "stationery and fancy goods emporium.” With a humble start of sales totaling $4.98 on day one, they would have never imagined the extraordinary journey their brand would take.
By 1853, Charles Tiffany would take sole control of the company, rebranding the business as Tiffany & Co. They would also shift their focus from selling stationery to crafting gold fashion jewelry and even introducing the world to the first-ever stopwatch called the Tiffany Timer in 1866.
Thanks to this shift into jewelry, Tiffany & Co. would soon be known as the "palace of jewels," with their pieces adorning the necks, wrists, and fingers of the city's elite families, from the Astors to the Vanderbilts. Needless to say, Tiffany became a luxury staple.
Fast forward to the 20th century and Tiffany solidified its icon status through collaborations with visionaries like Jean Schlumberger and Andy Warhol. Then in the 1960s, Tiffany’s name would be immortalized on the silver screen with Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany's, turning the brand into a household name.
The Origin of "Tiffany Blue"
While the exact reason Charles Lewis Tiffany chose this particular shade of blue remains a mystery, legends have it that it’s mainly because of people’s preference for Turquoise jewelry during the Victorian-era.
Tiffany Blue® has been trademarked under the brand since 1998, and, in 2001, Pantone standardized it as a custom color created exclusively for Tiffany called “1837 Blue" after the year the brand was founded.
Tiffany & Co’s Most Iconic Pieces
1. Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff
Introduced by Elsa Peretti in the 1970s, the Bone cuff draws inspiration from her childhood visits to a Capuchin crypt in Rome and the architecture of Antoni Gaudí's Casa Milà in Barcelona. Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany in 1974, introducing bold sculptural designs to the brand. The 18K gold Tiffany Peretti Bone cuff gained recent attention when Miley Cyrus proudly wore it to accept her 2024 Grammy award.
2. Tiffany & Co Return to Tiffany Heart Tag
The "Return to Tiffany" heart tag collection was one of the most sought-after Tiffany pieces during the Y2K era. Inspired by a key ring, it initially launched in 1969 with a heart-shaped tag inscribed with "Please Return to Tiffany & Co. New York," and a unique registration number in hopes that if someone had lost it, it would be returned to its rightful owner at the Tiffany flagship store. In the early 2000s, the Return to Tiffany collection, particularly the Heart Tag Charm bracelet and pendant necklaces were considered "it" pieces, worn by celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. It was even spotted on the neck of Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, in the 2001 film Legally Blonde.
3. Tiffany & Co Tiffany T Bracelet
In 2014, Tiffany & Co. welcomed its first female design director, Francesca Amfitheatrof, who brought a fresh perspective to the brand's iconic designs. Inspired by the vibrant energy of New York City and the sleek aesthetics of Tiffany's archival bracelets, Amfitheatrof introduced the Tiffany T collection. This modern and minimalist line of jewelry also includes necklaces and rings that feature a distinct T motif, a clear homage to Tiffany's legacy. Today, the Tiffany T bracelet is commonly worn stacked with other bracelets.
4. Tiffany & Co Tiffany 1837 Ring
Launched to commemorate Tiffany's 175th anniversary, the Tiffany 1837 Ring features sleek curves. Originally introduced in Rubedo, a revolutionary metal blend of gold, silver, and copper, inspired by the delicate rosy luminescence of dawn, the ring is inscribed with the founding year of Tiffany. Now, it's also available in silver, yellow gold, and rose gold.
5. Tiffany & Co Tiffany Keys
First released in 2009, the Tiffany Keys collection pays homage to Tiffany's history of crafting keys for specialty items. The design originated from keys created for trunks, diaries, and boxes, each inscribed with a number corresponding to a specific customer. The Tiffany Keys are available in various designs, including fleur de lis, hearts, flowers, and more. Leighton Meester, who plays Blair Waldorf on the modern classic Gossip Girl, was spotted wearing the Fleur de Lis white gold key on set, making it one of the more popular Tiffany Keys designs in the collection.
6. Tiffany & Co Tiffany Settings
In 1886, Charles Tiffany introduced the world to a revolutionary new concept in engagement ring design—the Tiffany Setting. Featuring a six-prong setting that propels the diamond above the band, this groundbreaking design transformed the way diamonds were showcased. Prior to its introduction, diamonds were traditionally set in bezels, but the Tiffany Setting elevated the diamond to new heights–literally. Centuries later and this is still a popular choice of style for engagement rings and other brands have also adopted the iconic design.
7. Tiffany & Co Tiffany Hardwear Ball Hook Earrings
Inspired by a vintage piece from the Tiffany 1971 Ball and Chain design, the Tiffany HardWear Ball Hook earrings were introduced by Francesca Amfitheatrof. The collection, characterized by bold spheres and chain links, embodies clean lines and modern shapes. In 2017, pop icon Lady Gaga became the face of the HardWear collection, solidifying its classic yet edgy appeal. Local style icon Marian Rivera was also spotted wearing this piece on her Instagram feed.
Where to Shop Tiffany and Co. in the Philippines
Ready to bring home your little blue box? Browse Tiffany and Co.'s iconic baubbles at their flagship store in Greenbelt 3, or head on over to The Shoppes at Solaire for some late night shopping—the boutiques in the casino are open 'til midnight!
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