When the word, “Tiffany” takes center stage in any conversation, big dollar signs float around people’s minds: and for a good reason. After all, the name equates to luxury—luxury goods and jewelry. But behind all these adjectives that denote wealth, there is something not known by all. If you don’t know how to choose high-quality diamonds, Tiffany is the place to be. It is the home of such stones—the Tiffany diamonds.
Tiffany Diamonds
And to get a better understanding of this previously unknown fact (to you, maybe), one must know about the store that sells them.
The Story Behind Tiffany Diamonds
Tiffany diamonds are very good-quality diamonds and their story cannot be told without first telling the story of the world-famous store that sells them—Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1838 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, who opened a small gift shop in Connecticut in 1838. Along with partner J.V. Young. They called their start-up, “Tiffany and Young.”At first, they focused on fancy goods, and high-end stationaries, etc. And in a bit of foresight, they set up their “fancy” store in the fancy part of town where fancy people congregate—Broadway.
It was an immediate success.
Then in 1841, a guy named Ellis joined the duo. But by 1853, Charles took sole control of the business. This allowed him to do some tweaking of the business. First, he changed the name to Tiffany & Co. Then he adopted the color light blue as the official company color. This has become iconic to the present.
As the business grew, the original store became too small to accommodate the business’s growing product lines. So Tiffany & Co. moved to a palatial store in Union Square in 1870. This proved providential as it immediately became the favorite destination of New York’s fashionable and wealthy elite.
Tiffany Diamonds
Starting in the same year, Tiffany & Co. started developing its design brand. It started producing Japonesque-style silverware and diamond jewelry.
Tiffany’s introduction of its diamond jewelry line earned Charles the title, “King of Diamonds.” And this reputation was cemented when, in 1878, he bought an immense yellow canary stone from a new South African diamond deposit. The history of the Tiffany Diamond puts its weight at a staggering 128.4 carats after chipping off the rough parts.
Towards the next decade, Tiffany introduced its famous solitaire diamond rings. This product line won numerous awards at distinguished jewelry exhibitions.
Facts About Tiffany Diamonds
- Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, former wife of American diplomat, Edwin Sheldon Whitehouse. She wore it during the Tiffany Benefit Ball on July 13, 1957. Since the ball was sponsored by Tiffany & Co, it loaned the jewelry to her.
- Audrey Hepburn, the famous American actress. She wore it to promote the quintessential fashion film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. To give the movie a huge promotional boost, it was set in a ribbon rosette necklace designed by famous French jewelry designer, Jean Schlumberger.
- Lady Gaga was the third personality to have had the honor to wear the Tiffany Yellow Diamond. She wore it during an Oscar presentation.
- Beyoncé Knowles is the last person to be able to done the jewelry piece so far. The occasion was the Tiffany brand’s campaign “About Love” together with former husband Jay-Z.
Are Tiffany diamonds good quality?
Tiffany diamonds are known to be very carefully selected and audited. In fact, they are the kinds of diamonds—either cut gemstones or jewelry—that merit to be placed inside the company’s iconic Tiffany Blue Box. The company puts a lot of emphasis on quality. Hence, you can be sure to have the brand’s excellent quality in every gem you purchase.
Tiffany carefully examines each stone and only buys roughly 04% of the world’s gem-grade diamonds.
In fact, Tiffany & Co claims to have tighter standards than the GIA’s 4Cs. Skeptics, however, doubt this because the GIA is still the world’s authority in grading diamonds.
Tiffany diamonds quality, from the smallest to the largest stone, follow the same exacting cutting standards. And the company can back this up through a regiment of skilled craftsmen under its roof.
Does Tiffany use real diamonds? Yes. The company practices environmental sustainability and sources the majority of its rough diamonds from mines they know or from recycled sources.
Now, are Tiffany diamonds blood diamonds? No, they are not. Tiffany & Co steers clear of diamond mines that practice illegal activities, such as employing minors and engaging in subversive activities by leftist groups.
What diamonds does Tiffany use?
Engagement rings are among Tiffany Co’s best sellers—from plain princess-cut solitaires to glimmering micro-paves. All these are “colorless” to “near-colorless.” Diamonds belonging to the D to I color range.
Regarding clarity, Tiffany diamonds conform to GIA’s clarity test: no inclusions or blemishes can be seen under 10x magnification. No diamond with imperfections noticeable to the naked eye is used for any jewelry item.
Tiffany Diamond Jewelry
Let it be known that Tiffany & Co also sells high-end bags, shoes, garments, perfumes, and other accessories. But it is largely known as the go-to place for high-quality expensive jewelry. And here are some of the company’s iconic best-sellers:
TI Ring
The TI ring is crafted of 18k rose gold with a row of small pavé diamonds on one side.
TI designs represent individual strength and perpetual power. And it is great for people who are inclined towards minimalism, which can be reflected even in minimalist engagement rings.
TI Hinged Bangle
The TI Hinged Bangle is essentially the same as the TI ring, If worn together, they complete your fashion statement.
Tiffany Hardware Link Earrings
This, too, use an 18k rose gold setting, lined with a row of pavé Tiffany diamonds.
Done in bold gauge links, they define an elegantly subversive statement common among high-spirited New York women.
Tiffany Double Link Pendant
To complete your fashion ensemble is this double link pendant that is designed to be easy and comfortable to wear.
It comes with a 16″ delicate chain in 18k rose gold, and the pendant is adorned with pavé diamonds to give it a stunning and elegant look. Its total carat weight is 0.72.
Victoria Earrings
Diamond Band Ring in Platinum
This ring is simply adorable. With its organic vine motif and mixed-cut diamonds, it gives off an intensity that rivals the beauty of a starry evening sky.
This band ring is adorned with Tiffany diamonds cut in round brilliant and marquise, all set in glittering platinum. Its total carat weight is 1.90
Tiffany Victoria Pendant
The Victoria is simple, yet fashionable in its quiet and somber way. And its elegant beauty makes it perfect for day or evening wear.
Set in platinum, this also comes with a 16″ chain.
Tiffany Diamond Rings
Tiffany & Co has a long list of jewelry items in its catalog. You name it, they have it. And for every generic item, there are lots of sub-categories. For example, Tiffany diamond rings have a variety of styles and functions. Hence, for Tiffany’s diamond ring, there are rings designed for engagements, weddings, or friendships.
And among the various types of rings, the most sought-after are engagement rings.
For all its accomplishments through the years, and the accolades the company has earned therein, the Tiffany Setting Engagement Ring is perhaps the most famous and memorable of all.
Tiffany Engagement Rings
In 1886, Tiffany introduced what was its soon-to-be-famous solitaire setting, not unlike the one in this Diamond Nexus review. It had six prongs to hold the diamond, showcasing its brilliance. It was considered revolutionary at that time because bezels settings were used during the era. In a sense, it dismantled tradition and set a new standard for engagement rings.
Now the company has a long list of engagement ring designs, settings, diamond cuts, carat weight, and so forth. The cheapest Tiffany engagement ring is a pear-shaped, yellow diamond that costs about $7,500. On the other side of the scale is a 35-carat, emerald-cut diamond set on pure platinum—very much like the one in this Natalie Diamonds review. It costs around $10 million.
With such a wide range to choose from, how can you be sure to get the perfect diamond engagement ring? These tips will be helpful.
Examine the craftsmanship
Cutting and polishing a diamond is an art. And they ultimately determine a gem’s price.
Diamond cut is the most important of the 4Cs. More than any factor, it determines a diamond’s beauty; how its facets interact with light.
The cut is expressed by the relationship of the size and angles of the facets with the different parts of the stone. By symmetry (how the various facets align and intersect), and polish.
A poorly cut diamond will appear dull even if it has a high color and clarity grade. While a good cut will reflect and refract light for maximum brightness and sparkle.
Check its clarity
In your excitement to buy something that appeals to your inner desires, it is easy to miss this out—one of the 4Cs of a diamond’s rating scale.
This is a measure of the absence, or presence, of inclusions and blemishes in a stone. While this is measured in the lab using 10x magnification, at the point of sale, clarity is the absence of imperfections that can be seen by the naked eye.
As a guide, take note of the following:
- FL diamonds are flawless (under 10x magnification)
- IF are those without inclusions (internal imperfections)
- VVSS1 and VVS2 – Very, Very Slightly Included, meaning there are very slight inclusions
- VS1, VS2 – Very Slightly Included
- SI1 and SI2 – are Slightly Included. They can be seen by the naked eye.
- I1, I2, and I3 diamonds are considered imperfect.
Source
Tiffany & Co is very open regarding the sources of its diamonds. Through its Diamond Source Institute, the company can provide the source of every diamond it sells.
The company also keeps a Diamond Craft Journal. This journal records the history of each diamond the company sells, from the time it is unearthed, crafted, and sold to customers.
Trust
One of the things people ask before buying anything is how reliable and trustworthy the supplier is.
Well, Tiffany diamonds are one of the core products of Tiffany & Co. With a long history of high quality and reliability, you can be sure that the engagement ring you slip on your finger is a product of unmatched quality, created by the best craftsmen in the jewelry business.
Tiffany & Co has been making engagement rings for more than a century and the trademarked Tiffany Setting is still the standard for solitaire engagement rings.
Tiffany diamond engagement rings come with the following benefits:
- Word famous brand
- Free shipping for orders $150 and above
- Free return shipping on all items
- Lifetime warranty for all engagement rings and lifetime cleaning policy.
Tiffany & Co is Diamonds
When it comes to diamonds or diamond engagement rings. Tiffany & Co, has created a brand that has withstood the test of time. Since the 1800s, the company has been in the business of selling diamonds, either as stones or jewelry items, with unrivaled quality and unwavering commitment to excellent service.
Its diamonds are brighter and more vibrant because the company is uncompromising in what it offers to potential customers like you.
And because of their high demand and timeless design, Tiffany jewelry items can retain their value more than any other branded jewelry.