Earlier in the week I visited the Tiffany & Co store on Bond Street for a preview of their new collections. It was quite possibly the best afternoon ever, as I got an exclusive look at the jewellery designed for The Great Gatsby (it’s stunning, but unfortunately I can’t share any images yet) and I also tried on a ring worth £1.3 million. Blogging can be such hard work…
I also learnt about Tiffany & Co’s 175 year anniversary celebrations, which are being marked with a new setting for the iconic 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond. They’ve put together a beautiful video marking the history of the diamond, which you absolutely must watch right now. Deal?
Magical, right? But if you’re at work and can’t start watching YouTube videos (even if they are about diamonds) then never fear, because here’s the Tiffany Diamond’s history in pictures…
The original 287.42-carat diamond was discovered in South Africa, in 1877, and a year later it’s purchased by Charles Lewis Tiffany. He sends the diamond to Paris, where it’s cut to 128.54 carats, and in 1901 Tiffany and the diamond win top honours at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. In 1955 the diamond appears in Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue windows [above] celebrating the holiday season. It’s the only time the diamond has ever been on display in the windows.
In 1961 the Tiffany Diamond is set in Jean Schlumberger’s Ribbon Rosette necklace, which is worn by Audrey Hepburn in the publicity photos for Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The Tiffany Diamond is set in a second Jean Schlumberger design, in 1995 [above]. The yellow diamond remained in the “Bird on a Rock” setting for 17 years, but has now been reset in a white diamond necklace to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Tiffany & Co. The diamond has toured the world in its new setting, but is now back at home in the Main Floor of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store. Don’t you just love a happy ending?
The 175th anniversary necklace is built
The finished Tiffany & Co design
Are you a fan of Tiffany & Co jewellery? Did you know the Tiffany Diamond’s history? And which of its famous settings is your favourite?
Images courtesy of Tiffany & Co
