The Tiffany Diamond: From Audrey Hepburn to Lady Gaga – The Story of the World's Most Iconic Jewel
The iconic “Tiffany Diamond”
The largest and most exceptional yellow diamond in the world, 143 years after its discovery, set a trend and sealed the fate of a global jewelry empire, becoming one of the most coveted gems in history.
Before diving into the fascinating history of the legendary Tiffany Diamond, it’s essential to understand the foundation of the iconic brand that brought it to prominence. Tiffany & Co. is more than just a luxury jewelry house—it is a testament to innovation, strategic vision, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence that transformed a modest stationery shop into a global symbol of prestige and refinement.
The Birth of Tiffany & Co.: A Legacy Forged in Innovation
A Revolutionary Beginning
It all began in 1837 when Charles Lewis Tiffany founded Tiffany & Co. in New York, initially as a luxury goods and stationery store. What set him apart from the very beginning was his pioneering decision to mark fixed prices on items—eliminating the common practice of haggling. While this may seem standard today, at the time, it was a groundbreaking concept that revolutionized retail, establishing a precedent that remains unchanged.
Few could have predicted that what started as a humble gift shop would evolve into the epitome of luxury jewelry. Originally operating under the name Tiffany, Young —named after Tiffany and his partner John B. Young—the business began with a $1,000 loan and made only $4.98 in sales on its first day in Broadway 259.
A Meteoric Rise to Prestige
By 1841, the business had gained momentum, welcoming a new partner, Jabez Lewis Ellis. Renamed Tiffany, Young & Ellis and expanding to occupy two buildings on Broadway 259 and 260. In 1842, Tiffany made his first foray into the jewelry industry, importing exquisite gold pieces from Europe. The company soon rebranded as Tiffany & Co., marking a new era under Charles Tiffany’s sole leadership.
With an ever-growing clientele drawn to its exceptional quality and originality, Tiffany & Co. Thanks to its great successful growth based on Charles's original business methodology, his ideas and strategies never ceased to surprise and dazzle his clientele, so they had to adapt to the growing demand and status position relocating multiple times to accommodate its success—moving to 550 Broadway in 1853, and later to Union Square in 1870, establishing itself as a symbol of American luxury.
Redefining Excellence in Precious Metals
Charles Tiffany was a visionary who sought to elevate craftsmanship to new heights. In 1851, he established a new standard for sterling silver, setting a composition of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, which later became the globally recognized benchmark for Sterling Silver. But his innovations didn’t stop there—by 1926, Tiffany & Co. had also defined the platinum purity standard in the United States.
To commemorate the renaming of the brand, Tiffany commissioned a monumental Atlas Clock—crafted by the esteemed H.F. Metzler—which was placed above the store’s entrance. This grand timepiece became one of the brand’s first iconic symbols, following every relocation of its flagship store.
Shield of the United States of America, designed by Tiffany
Tiffany & Co.: A Shape-Shifting Empire
Tiffany’s unparalleled ability to adapt to shifting markets ensured its expansion beyond fine jewelry. By 1862, the company was supplying flags and even orthopedic implants for the Union Army during the Civil War.
In 1867, Tiffany & Co. gained international recognition, winning the silver craftsmanship award at the Paris World’s Fair. Further cementing its status, the company designed the Great Seal of the United States in 1885—still printed on every U.S. dollar bill today. Decades later, in 1967, Tiffany designed the Super Bowl trophy, later named the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
During the Civil War, Tiffany produced ornate, jewel-encrusted swords for Union generals such as Ulysses S. Grant and William Sherman, proving that even weapons of war could embody artistry and elegance.
Curiosamente, también elaboró instrumentos quirúrgicos, y muchísimas cosas más, los hitos marcados por está compañía son casi imposibles de cuantificar por lo que podría extenderme incluso más si me lo propusiera.
Tiffany
LAMPS
The Art Nouveau Revolution: Louis Comfort Tiffany
Following Charles Tiffany’s death in 1902, his son, Louis Comfort Tiffany, took the helm, ushering in an era of Art Nouveau-inspired jewelry. His creations—depicting delicate florals, insects, and birds—were nothing short of masterpieces.
But perhaps his most famous contribution was the Tiffany Lamps—stunning, multicolored stained-glass pieces that brought vibrancy and light into homes. Many of these exquisite lamps were tragically melted down during the Great Depression for their metal content, but the surviving ones now fetch astronomical prices at auctions.
From Royalty to Hollywood: Tiffany’s Iconic Creations
Tiffany & Co. became the jeweler of choice for some of the most powerful figures in history. From Queen Victoria and the Shah of Persia to the Tsars of Russia, their workshops crafted opulent, one-of-a-kind treasures.
Hollywood legends were no exception—Elizabeth Taylor received an extravagant gold and diamond brooch from Richard Burton, designed by Tiffany & Co. to celebrate the premiere of The Night of the Iguana.
And then, of course, there’s the Tiffany Diamond—a breathtaking, 128.54-carat golden gemstone that has graced the necks of Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé, securing its place in the pantheon of legendary jewels.
Tiffany & Co. has never simply followed trends—it has created them. From the pages of history to the world’s most exclusive red carpets, its legacy remains timeless, iconic, and utterly unparalleled.
The Greatest Marketing Strategy in History!
The Blue Book
However, it was not until 1940 that Tiffany & Co. relocated to 727 Fifth Avenue, its main headquarters and flagship store to this day—a move that solidified the area as Manhattan’s most fashionable and exclusive shopping district. Many of the practices that made Tiffany stand out in its early years deviated from traditional notions of luxury. One such innovation was its catalog, known as “The Blue Book,” first published in 1845, featuring the brand’s most exquisite jewelry. This catalog was printed in a striking shade of blue—later christened Tiffany Blue—which ultimately became synonymous with the brand through its legendary “Tiffany Blue Boxes.” The color, also referred to as “robin’s egg blue,” may have been chosen due to the popularity of turquoise in 19th-century jewelry. These iconic boxes were first introduced when Tiffany reinvented an entire industry: the engagement ring.
Tiffany’s Role in Redefining Engagement Rings
A simple yet revolutionary innovation led to the creation of an enduring benchmark in fine jewelry—a setting that elevated the diamond above the band to maximize its brilliance.
In 1886, Tiffany & Co. introduced the iconic **Tiffany Setting**, the six-prong solitaire engagement ring that revolutionized the way diamonds were showcased. This innovation emphasized the diamond’s brilliance and became a global standard for engagement rings. When the company unveiled what would become known as the Tiffany Setting engagement ring in 1886, the accompanying Blue Box became as famous as the ring itself. Customers often inquired about purchasing these coveted boxes, but Charles Lewis Tiffany adamantly refused to sell them at any price. In a now-legendary 1906 interview with The New York Sun, when asked about this policy, he famously responded that he would gladly provide a box—provided the customer selected a piece of jewelry to place inside it.
The Blue Box
& Tiffany Setting
Tiffany Diamond: The Ultimate Emblem of a Timeless Empire
Its acquisition, along with its unparalleled brilliance and beauty, would forever seal the fate of an empire, becoming the ultimate symbol and universal ambassador of the brand.
Tiffany & Co. did not fully attain its status as one of the most iconic luxury brands until 1878, when Charles Tiffany acquired the legendary Yellow Diamond—one of the most extraordinary yellow gemstones ever found and, undoubtedly, the largest one discovered to date.
Found in 1877 in the Kimberley diamond mines of South Africa, this impressive rough stone weighed 287.42 carats. A year later, the company’s founder purchased it for $18,000, an exorbitant sum at the time. This diamond is not only considered one of the most significant mineral discoveries of the 19th century, but it also solidified Charles Tiffany’s reputation as the “King of Diamonds.”
This acquisition not only elevated Tiffany’s standing but also marked a turning point in the brand’s history, as it became the first to introduce large gemstones to the United States, , and the acquisition of this stone cemented its position as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Today, the Tiffany Diamond remains a piece of incalculable historical value—not only for its 143 years since its discovery but also for being one of the largest and most exceptional yellow diamonds in the world.
Following its acquisition, the raw diamond—renowned for its exceptional purity—was sent to Paris, where Tiffany’s chief gemologist, George Frederick Kunz, who spent a whole year studying it to determine the perfect cut. The result was a breathtaking cushion-cut diamond weighing 128.54 carats, featuring an astonishing 82 facets—24 more than the traditional brilliant cut. This intricate faceting was designed to enhance the diamond’s dazzling color and brilliance rather than simply maximize its size. As Tiffany himself described it, the diamond shone as if illuminated by an internal flame. The Tiffany Diamond became a defining emblem of the brand, a symbol of its commitment to excellence and shaping the brand’s legacy.
Even this incomparable jewel remained unsurpassed a decade later, in 1887, when Charles Tiffany acquired a significant portion of the French Crown Jewels. He reimagined these regal treasures into modern designs, making them available to the world’s elite.
To offer a comparison, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the most famous in the world and now set in the British Crown, weighs a mere 108 carats—significantly less than the Tiffany Diamond. But the enthralling history of the Koh-i-Noor will be the subject of another article.
Tiffany’s Window Displays: A Theatrical Spectacle of Luxury
In 1955, when legendary Tiffany window designer Gene Moore made his debut, he transformed the concept of window displays into an art form. That Christmas, he unveiled a breathtaking showcase on Fifth Avenue: the Tiffany Diamond, delicately cradled in the hands of an exquisite gold-wire angel. Pedestrians marveled at the dazzling stone, which shimmered like a celestial beacon when kissed by the sunlight. From that moment, the Tiffany Diamond was enshrined as an icon of universal luxury, a flagship emblem of the Tiffany name.
Since its inception, Tiffany’s window displays have functioned as a kind of public art gallery—museum-worthy exhibits accessible to anyone passing by. Charles Tiffany, ever the visionary, understood the power of such displays in shaping the brand’s aura.
Gene Moore’s arrival at Tiffany marked a turning point in the evolution of visual merchandising. Known for his radical, imaginative, and often provocative designs, he pioneered displays that reflected contemporary culture while blending the extraordinary with the ordinary. He juxtaposed Tiffany’s legendary jewels with unexpected, everyday objects—twine, popcorn, even toy dump trucks. One of his most remarkable creations, titled “The Worm,” featured a glittering diamond necklace emerging from a mound of soil as if it had just been plucked by a bird. His collaborations with soon-to-be-famous artists were groundbreaking, and over his 39-year tenure, he designed over 5,000 windows, each a masterpiece in its own right.
The most important of all Tiffany & Co.'s displays are the glamorous holiday window installations, unveiled every November. These enchanting showcases capture the magic of the season and have become a beloved New York tradition, drawing thousands of visitors each year who come just to admire them through the glass. If you're in New York for Christmas, this is an experience you simply cannot miss.
The Tiffany Diamond’s Most Dazzling Moments
In 1956, the legendary designer Jean Schlumberger joined Tiffany, bringing his visionary and often fantastical designs to life. Known for his extravagant creations inspired by nature, he captivated the most sophisticated women of his era. Given his exceptional artistry, it was only natural that the Tiffany Diamond would be set into some of his most exquisite designs.
RIBBON ROSETTE
The First Setting
The diamond’s first major setting came in 1961 when it was mounted in the “Ribbon Rosette” necklace, a breathtaking composition of gold and diamonds designed by Schlumberger. The piece gained worldwide fame when Audrey Hepburn wore it in the promotional campaign for the iconic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The movie immortalized the Tiffany brand, forever associating it with timeless glamour. While Hepburn never wore the actual Tiffany Diamond in the film—security concerns prevented it from being loaned for the shoot—the necklace solidified the stone’s status as the ultimate object of desire.
Before Hepburn, only one woman had ever worn the Tiffany Diamond in public: Mary Whitehouse (née Mary Crocker Alexander), a socialite and granddaughter of a key executive of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, and the wife of Diplomat Edwin Sheldon Whitehouse.. She wore the magnificent jewel at a Tiffany-sponsored gala in 1957 at the Vanderbilt’s Marble House, a mansion in Newport—an elite retreat for high society, where Grace Kelly famously filmed High Society and became engaged to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. This exclusive event, attended by the elite of America’s East Coast, marked the diamond’s debut as a symbol of opulence and sophistication.
“Bird on a Rock”
The second legendary setting.
A Master of Design
Jean Schlumberger brough with him a flair for extravagant, nature-inspired designs. His creations, often depicting marine life and flora, were coveted by the world’s most elegant women, and is why the next legendary setting for the diamond was “Bird on a Rock,” where a golden and platinum bird, encrusted with diamonds, perched atop the illustrious gemstone. This extraordinary design became one of the most coveted pieces among high society’s elite, showcasing the Tiffany Diamond for 17 years captivating the imaginations of high society.
The Tiffany Diamond Today: A Timeless Marvel
Currently, the Tiffany Diamond is set in a breathtaking necklace featuring over 120 carats of the finest diamonds, a testament to its enduring magnificence. The design, which took Tiffany a full year to perfect, marks a new chapter in the diamond’s illustrious history.
For the first time since Audrey Hepburn, the Tiffany Diamond once again graced the neck of a modern icon—this time on the red carpet. At the 91st Academy Awards, Lady Gaga wore the famed jewel while attending as a nominee for A Star is Born, capturing the world’s attention. Her appearance in the diamond was so striking that, for many, not even her Oscar win could eclipse the sheer brilliance of the gem itself.
As Tiffany’s artistic director, Reed Krakoff, remarked: “Lady Gaga is an innovator and a true creator who has shattered boundaries. We are thrilled that she is the first to wear our legendary Tiffany Diamond at the Oscars Red Carpet in over 143 years from his found.”
Tiffany Diamond
The actual setting with 120 carats in diamonds.
Curiously, the Tiffany Diamond was once officially listed for sale—just once. On November 17, 1972, Tiffany & Co. took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that the diamond was available for $5 million (equivalent to around $25.8 million today). But no one dared to buy it. Perhaps it seemed too good to be true—even Elizabeth Taylor, whose private jewelry collection rivaled that of Queen Elizabeth II, did not make a bid.
Today, the Tiffany Diamond is valued at over $30 million, but it rarely leaves its home in New York, only doing so for major exhibitions.
Chronological List of the Tiffany Diamond’s Showcases and Appearances
Has been showcased in several prestigious exhibitions around the world, each time drawing admiration for its unparalleled brilliance and historical significance. Here are some of the notable exhibitions where the diamond has been displayed: These exhibitions highlight the diamond’s cultural significance and its role in Tiffany & Co.’s legacy.
1878: Acquisition and Initial Display
After its discovery in 1877, the Tiffany Diamond was acquired by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1878. It was first displayed in its rough form at Tiffany & Co. New York store, marking the beginning of its journey as a symbol of luxury and innovation.
1893 – Displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The Tiffany Diamond was showcased at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, a landmark event celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. The diamond was displayed as part of Tiffany & Co.’s exhibit, which highlighted the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship and innovation in jewelry design. This exposition marked one of the earliest public appearances of the diamond, solidifying its reputation as a marvel of nature and artistry.
1939 - New York World’s Fair
The Tiffany Diamond was exhibited at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, an event that celebrated innovation and cultural achievements. Its display highlighted Tiffany & Co.’s legacy of craftsmanship and luxury, captivating visitors with its extraordinary size and brilliance.
1957: Tiffany Ball at Vanderbilt Marble House
The diamond made its first public appearance when worn by Mary Whitehouse (née Mary Crocker Alexander) at the 1957 Tiffany Ball in Newport, Rhode Island. This event marked the first time the diamond was worn by an individual.
1961: *Breakfast at Tiffany’s* Promotional Campaign
Although the diamond did not appear in the film, it was prominently featured in the promotional campaign for *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*. Audrey Hepburn wore the diamond in publicity photos, solidifying its status as a cultural icon.
2006: *Bejewelled by Tiffany* at Somerset House, London
The Tiffany Diamond was a centerpiece of the *Bejewelled by Tiffany* exhibition at Somerset House in London. This exhibition celebrated Tiffany & Co.’s legacy and showcased some of its most iconic pieces.
2012: Global Tour (Tokyo, Beijing, Dubai, and New York)
The diamond embarked on a global tour, making stops in Tokyo, Beijing, Dubai, and New York. For this tour, it was set in a necklace featuring over 100 carats of white diamonds, emphasizing its brilliance and timeless beauty.
2019: *Vision & Virtuosity* Exhibition in Shanghai
The Tiffany Diamond was a highlight of the *Vision & Virtuosity* exhibition in Shanghai. This immersive experience celebrated Tiffany & Co.’s heritage, innovation, and artistry, with the diamond as a focal point.
2019: 91st Academy Awards (Lady Gaga)
In 2019, Lady Gaga wore the Tiffany Diamond to the 91st Academy Awards, marking the first time the diamond appeared on the red carpet. This moment brought the diamond into the global spotlight once again.
2021: *Vision & Virtuosity* Exhibition in New York
The *Vision & Virtuosity* exhibition traveled to New York in 2021, where the Tiffany Diamond was displayed at The Landmark on Fifth Avenue. The exhibition highlighted the brand’s history and cultural impact.
Occasional Displays at Tiffany Flagship Store (Fifth Avenue, New York)
The Tiffany Diamond has occasionally been displayed at the brand’s flagship store on **Fifth Avenue** in New York, often coinciding with significant milestones or events. These appearances allow visitors to experience the diamond’s brilliance in person.
The Future.
As we look to the future, one question remains: Who will be the next to wear this legendary gem? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the Tiffany Diamond will continue to shine as a beacon of luxury and artistry for generations to come.