The Story Behind Tiffany

The exquisite arrangement of flawless gems shimmer in the light, made to lie tenaciously over delicate collar bones. This piece, among others, was born when a handsome twenty-five year old, with full lips and thick eyebrows, borrowed $1000 from his father to open a gift shop on Broadway Street, New York.  

Almost 200 years later, this giftshop – Tiffany and Co – dominates the luxury jewelry space, its iconic blue box and high quality diamonds known worldwide. Worn by the sophisticated and elegant women of society, Tiffany jewelers craft breathtaking pieces that hold their value over time. Tiffany standards are so high, only 0.04% of the world’s gem-grade diamonds are accepted. The key to Tiffany’s success and prestige is their focus on the bigger picture surrounding their brand – quality, innovation, creativity, sustainability, accessibility, and exceptional standards. This has allowed Tiffany & Co to remain relevant and in-demand for since the 1800s. 

Adding to the efforts Tiffany invested in building a high quality brand, the company’s gemologists travel to the most remote corners of the world, where new gemstones are unveiled. In 1902, Tiffany unearthed Kunzite, a purplish-pink gem in California – followed by the gem Morganite in Madagascar (named after customer JP Morgan).

The Tiffany Experience

The first time I went to New York, Bear surprised me with a trip to Tiffany. We didn’t walk into the store and browse what was on display for everyone. We went into a private lounge where we viewed rare, exclusive pieces our consultant selected in advance. I had no idea we were going to Tiffany or what a special experience it would be. White carpet hugged the floor and glass cases with glittering gem stones gleamed under large chandeliers.

We were served champagne alongside Tiffany blue chocolates. The room had an arrangement of beautiful pink, fresh flowers. I was mesmerized by the long windows showcasing the vibrant streets and cityscape below and how unique the space was. I was wearing white converse and a lace dress over jeans. We listened to the history of Tiffany in New York and stories about the success of the business. I was then able to try on various pieces and imagine myself wearing them to special events, a physical sign of Bear’s love for me.

High Jewelry Necklace with Cuprian Tourmalines and Diamonds

The featured piece in this post, is the Tiffany & Co High Jewelry Necklace with Cuprian Tourmalines and Diamonds. The necklace is set in platinum and is a one-of-a-kind statement set with 14 matching cuprian elbaite tourmalines. The Cuprian tourmaline is the most rare variety within the tourmaline group. It was first discovered in Brazil in the late 1980s, at first people did not believe they were real because they were so  unusual. Since then, the gemstone has risen to be one of the most rare and coveted in the world. Wearing these jewels, I feel privileged and in awe – knowing all of the labour and care that has gone into the final product and how rare it is in this world.

The Value of Tiffany

My Bear loves Tiffany diamonds. He loves investing in jewelry that is timeless and beautiful. We appreciate the level of detail and artistry that goes into the design and quality of the pieces. Tiffany jewelry increases in value as time goes by – and is an asset unregulated by any tax collector, with value independent of the ever devaluating paper currency in many countries, being eaten alive by inflation.

Tiffany is now owned by the French holding company LVMH – ticker LVMUY. This French luxury goods powerhouse own the brands Louis Vuitton, Celine, Christian Dior, Sephora, and many more – head quartered in Paris, their CEO Bernard Arnault is one of the wealthiest men in the world. Before he acquired his first fashion house, he was actually an engineer and worked for his father’s construction company. The path forward to success in life is truly not linear.

Wishing you a day filled with inspiration and perserverance.

Xx,

The Independent Blonde