The History of Tiffany and Co

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The History of Tiffany and Co

A Raymond Lee Jewelers writing for your reading or educational enjoyment.

Few companies signify elegant jewelry like Tiffany and Co. In 1837, Charles Tiffany and John Young established Tiffany & Young, which was a New York City store devoted to stationery and other fancy goods. The store's policy was that prices were not able to be negotiated, which was a shocking policy at that time. In order to display quality, they used a blue box for packaging, which continues to this day. The blue became their reputation, as the Tiffany Blue Book catalog was published in 1845, and is still published today.

In 1851, Tiffany's silver designs are gaining notice. Tiffany was the first company in the United States to use the sterling standard 925/1000, which becomes the U.S. Sterling Standard. When Charles Tiffany gained full control of the company in 1853, he rechristens the company "Tiffany & Co.". One of the first major events that Tiffany & Co. was heavily involved in was the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln, where Tiffany was asked to design a presentational pitcher. Also at the inauguration, Lincoln gave his wife a jewelry suite from Tiffany. Even involved in the Civil War, Tiffany made gemstone-encrusted presentation swords for Admiral Farragut, General Sherman, and General Grant. In 1871, the company introduced its highest-selling silver flatware pattern in the company's history: the Audubon. Tiffany designs began appearing in museums - first in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 1873.

In 1878, Tiffany purchased one of the world's largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds, named the Tiffany Diamond. He hired Dr. George Frederick Kunz to oversee the cutting of the stone. As an example of Tiffany's influence on the country, the company revised the Great Seal of the United States of America in 1885. This design can be seen on the dollar bill to this day. They even designed the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy, one of the most beautiful trophies in sports. Today, Tiffany's influence can be seen all over the world, and in jewelry designs everywhere.





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