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. Retro 14K Gold Ruby Diamond Buckle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A distinctive and collectible Tiffany & Co. Retro-era bracelet, crafted in solid 14K yellow gold and designed in an elegant buckle motif, a timeless symbol of strength and unity....
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Tiffany & Co. Retro 14K Gold Ruby Diamond Buckle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A distinctive and collectible Tiffany & Co. Retro-era bracelet, crafted in solid 14K yellow gold and designed in an elegant buckle motif, a timeless symbol of strength and unity....
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$95,400
D 0.38 in L 7.25 in
Tiffany & Company 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Bracelet, circa 1950s
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Wailea, HI
Tiffany and Company 18k Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Bracelet circa 1950's 231 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Weighing 10.40 carats (approximate...
Ruby, 18k Gold
$8,500
H 0.25 in W 0.94 in L 7.88 in
American Retro Period Brick Link Gold Buckle Bracelet with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Among items that are purely American in style are 14K yellow gold brick bracelets of this variety. They were designed as "buckle bracelets" and were sold during the 1940's. In this n...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
$19,759Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.11 in L 8.47 in
High-Jewellery Vintage 1945 18K Gold Ruby & Diamond Buckle Mesh Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An extraordinary vintage circa 1945 heavy 18K gold bracelet, designed in an intricate belt-and-buckle mesh motif and set with an elegant combination of rubies and diamonds. Crafted w...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Retro 18k rose gold synthetic ruby diamond buckle bracelet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking Retro buckle bracelet is a glamorous 1940’s jewel, designed with bold color, sculptural form, and unmistakable vintage personality. Featuring 32 baguette cut synthetic ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
14k Yellow Gold Adjustable "Buckle" Bracelet with Diamond and Rubies, Vintage
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning retro "buckle" bracelet is crafted in 14k yellow gold and set with brilliant natural diamonds and sparkling rubies. It is an exquisite work of art that, while vintage, ...
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$39,600Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.1 in L 7.75 in
Boucheron 1937 Paris Art Deco Bracelet 18Kt Gold and 5.44 Ctw Diamonds & Rubies
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
A bracelet designed by Boucheron. Extremely rare and beautiful bracelet, created during the art deco period in Paris France by the famous jewelry house of Boucheron, back in the 1937. The bracelet is one of a kind and a highly collectible piece, published in the Gilles Neret book. It was carefully crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish and platinum parts for the setting of the diamonds. The bracelet has been designed with retro-modernist patterns and is embellished with a gorgeous selection of fifty earth mined, natural gemstones such: Burmese translucent rubies and white colorless diamonds. It is fitted with a concealed hinged folded snap lock. Diamonds: Mount in flush pave settings, with 28 old European round cut diamonds with a total weight of 2.80 carats, white colorless E/F color, VS clarity. Rubies: Mount in a channel setting, with 22 calibrated French faceted cut of natural vivid red rubies with a combined weight of 2.64 carats. The rubies are gems quality, not heated and Burmese origin. Weight: 66.85 Grams, (42.85 Dwt). Measurements: 7.75 Inches (19.69 Cm) and a width of 28 mm (1.10 Inch). Hallmarks: Stamped several times with French national marks such: the eagle head and the dog head for the assay and warranty of the 18kt gold and the platinum respectively and signed in full, "BOUCHERON PARIS". Boucheron Frédéric Boucheron founded the Maison Boucheron in 1858. To this day, the Boucheron jewelry house is known for its intricate, free spirited style. Boucheron's designs are always creative and display outstanding French craftsmanship and characterful stones. He quickly became well known for the exceptional quality of his precious stones. Around 1880, he was the first modern jeweler bold enough to engrave diamonds with flowers...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage Retro 14K Gold & Platinum Diamond & Ruby Brick Buckle Strap Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (18) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Transitional Cut - Pave Set - G-I Color - VS1-SI1 Clarity - 2.35ctw (approx.) (15) Natural Genuine Rubies - Claibre Cut - Channel Se...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Retro Diamond Ruby Buckle Bracelet 14K American Gold 1940s Ludo Vintage Jewelry
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Retro Diamond Ruby Buckle Bracelet 14K American Gold 1940s 66.5 gram Marked and tested 14K 23 mm wide 8.75 inch long 15 pieces of square cut Ruby...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Diamond Mother of Pearl Gold Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
A stunning pre-owned Bulgari Serpenti Viper bracelet, crafted in 18ct rose gold set with diamonds and mother of pearl. This bracelet features Bulgari's iconic 'Serpenti' design co...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Bzero1 Rock Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
A exquisite pre-owned Bvlgari BZero1 Rock bracelet, crafted in 18ct yellow gold, with studded spiral and diamond-set edges. Size: Medium A true icon since 1999, B.zero1 defies conv...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Chimento 18ct Gold Bracelet
By Chimento
Located in London, GB
A charming pre-owned vintage Chimento plaited bracelet, crafted in 18ct rose and white gold. The bracelet measures 18.5cm and is fitted with a concealed parrot style spring clasp. ...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Diamond and Carved Natural Fine Gemstone Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A unique cocktail bracelet featuring a selection of fine carved gemstones and beads creating a foliage vine leaf design set in platinum. This eye-catching bracelet is grain set wit...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Spinel, Platinum
Pomellato Gem Set Rondelle Necklace Bracelet Set
By Pomellato
Located in London, GB
A Pomellato gem set 'rondelle' necklace and bracelet suite composed of alternating 18ct yellow gold and polished hardstone rondelles. The necklace is on a articulated chain which c...
18k Gold
Bulgari Diamond Serpenti Viper Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
A pre-owned Bulgari Serpenti Viper Ring with full pavé diamonds, crafted in 18ct rose gold. This one coil ring features Bulgari's iconic snake design complete with approximately 0....
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose 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.
