Brand History & Legacy > 10 Fun Facts About Tiffany & Co.

10 Fun Facts About Tiffany & Co.

1. Tiffany & Co.’s Origins

Founded in 1953, the company was first known as Tiffany, Young and Ellis, primarily selling stationery and fancy goods. In the same year, the name was shortened to Tiffany & Company, when Charles Lewis Tiffany’s partners retired. He then decided to focus on jewellery.

2. Breakfast At Tiffany’s

The iconic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring Audrey Hepburn, is the first time filming was allowed inside the store. While shooting, 40 security guards were hired to protect the goods.

3. Tiffany’s Cafe

Inspired by the film, Tiffany & Co launched their very own cafe called The Blue Box Cafe.

4. ‘Tiffany Blue’ Is Inspired By A Spanish Empress

The iconic Tiffany blue hue is actually copyrighted and registered under the Pantone number 1837.

However, the inspiration came from the wife of Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie de Montijo, who was known as a fashion icon in the 19th century. When Charles Tiffany saw a portrait of her wearing a beautiful blue dress, he knew it would become popular so he decided to make it the official colour of the brand.

5. Tiffany & Co Invented The Classic Engagement Ring

Previously, diamonds were set in bezels. But in 1886, Tiffany decided he would lift the diamond above the band, and marketed it as the quintessential engagement ring. Thereafter, it quickly became popular. Today, it is still known as the ‘Tiffany setting’.

6. Tiffany & Co. Once Made Weapons

Starting in 1862, Tiffany & Company was the go-to supplier of swords, surgical implements and flags for American soldiers.

7. Tiffany’s Introduced Unknown Gems to The Modern World

Over the years, Tiffany & Co. has introduced the world to a wide selection of previously unknown coloured gemstones. Some of these include kunzite, morganite, tsavorite, and tanzanite. These stones are often named after eminent people or their country of origin.

8. Tanzania & Tiffany’s

Tiffany unveiled tanzanite in 1968, only a year after its discovery. The stone was named after its place of origin, Tanzania. The company quickly marketed that the tanzanite could only be found in two places in the world: “in Tanzania and Tiffany’s.”

9. Go Big Or Go Home

The Tiffany yellow diamond is one of the largest discovered. Its original carat weight was originally 287.42 carats, later it was cut into a cushion shape of 128.54 carats before being set. The famous yellow diamond now resides in Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store where visitors can view it.

However, Audrey Hepburn wore it in the famous Tiffany film and later Lady Gaga was the only other person to wear it to the Oscars.

10. Tiffany & Co. Phone

The brand created a limited-edition cell phone with Japanese company Softbank Mobile in 2008. The phone was encrusted with 400 diamonds and cost around $100,000.