The magical world of Tiffany. How the famous jewelry empire appeared

Tiffany & Co Stores are found in many large cities of the world, but the heart
Tiffany - in New York, on Fifth Avenue.

The first store called Tiffany, Young and Ellis specialized in
on stationery and haberdashery, was opened in Manhattan in 1837.

In 1853, Charles Tiffany buys the shares of the company from his partners and becomes
sole owner. From that moment on, the focus was on jewelry.

At first, various silver items appeared in the store. Tiffany was the first of all
companies introduces the 925 silver purity standard in the USA.

Shortly thereafter, this standard was adopted at the state level and is still
time is used in the production of Tiffany.

The films Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) and Sweet Home Alabama (2001) were filmed here.
But the world-famous Jewelry House became thanks to the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961).

Tiffany Jewelry House sells jewelry, silver, crystal, porcelain, perfumes,
jewelry, accessories, and some leather goods.

A collection of Italian leather designed by Tiffany.

The company is famous for its luxury goods, especially for its jewelry.
with diamonds.Tiffany & Co. diamond engagement ring. - is unchanged
a classic for over a hundred years.

Tiffany & Co. positions itself as the arbiter of taste and style.

The son of the founder of the company, Louis Comfort Tiffany, said: - "Beauty is what nature
so generously gives us every day."

Floral and other natural motifs are reflected in the products of various collections,
manufactured by Tiffany Jewelry House.

The company's signature turquoise color is a registered trademark.

Jewelry bought in a store is still packaged in the famous blue box,
the same as Audrey Hepburn's character in Breakfast at Tiffany's, which she bought
here for $10.

In 2014, with the participation of Tiffany & Co, a collection of jewelry was created for
filming of The Great Gatsby.

Gifts and souvenirs from Tiffany.

Their prices are quite democratic.

The reputation and corporate identity of the brand lies in the highest quality of products,
uniqueness and elegance of design and attentive attitude to each customer.

Mary and I went into the store and one of the sales assistants, giving Mary an experienced look,
lover of diamonds, invited us to the counter to look at the latest arrivals.
He took out a brooch from the display case, studded with precious stones and diamonds, and stood with rapture
tell us about its virtues. And such a little thing cost no less than $ 120 thousand.

Before taking pictures, I asked the security guard for permission to take pictures, but even
having received it, I did not dare to shoot with a camera. All photos in the store were taken on an iPhone.

The year 1837 can be considered the beginning of the company's activity. Then Charles Lewis Tiffany and John F. Young opened the first jewelry store in the USA. Manhattan, Broadway, 5th Avenue has since become a legend in the history of the brand's development. Since over time there were more partners, and in 1858 they generally dispersed, and Charles Tiffany continued the development of the trademark, the name of the company became Tiffany & Co. The company started selling gold jewelry from Europe in 1842. Now it is a multinational jewelry company with stores located all over the world. She designed the highest government awards, took part in the development of the standard for determining the weight of precious stones, as a result of which the carat appeared, discovered the pink RUBEDO® metal, minerals such as kunzite and tanzanite - that is, she has always been at the forefront of the jewelry industry.

How to distinguish Tiffany & Co products? Focus on the corporate symbolism of the brand - pale turquoise color. Also remember that the company, starting from the 19th century, has been publishing catalogs of its products, in which you can always get acquainted with the latest in the field of jewelry developments. It is worth noting that the designers of Tiffany & Co at different times were:

Louis Comfort Tiffany,

Paloma Picasso,

Jean Michel Schlumberger

Jean Schlumberg.

Silver, gold, platinum - there are no limits for the imagination of designers. The uniqueness of the products is confirmed by the fact that it was in this company that the world-famous Tiffany diamond was born after a master cut. Of the purchased stone of 287 carats, 128 carats remained after processing, but the unique diamond became one of the symbols of the brand: a shining golden stone in a frame with a bird is now stored in the company's company store.

A beautiful creation starts with a beautiful dream. The creator of, perhaps, the most famous jewelry in the world Tiffany & Co. there was nothing left but to dream. Otherwise, how would a stationery shop with a daily income of five dollars grow into a diamond empire, the business capitalization of which reaches about eight billion dollars?

History of Tiffany & Co. reminds me of the fairy tale about Cinderella. The founders of the company, Charles Lewis Tiffany and John F. Young, no more than other owners of stationery stores, thought about founding a diamond empire. It was the stationery store, opened in 1837 on Broadway in New York, that became the progenitor of Tiffany. The business brought in more than modest income - on the first day, the revenue was only $ 5.

The path from 5 dollars to 8 billion ran through perseverance and endurance. But the Cinderella effect would not have been possible if not for the notorious creative approach. Like a poor girl's miniature leg at a royal reception, the business needed its own unique style. They became branded packaging and gift cards of a soft turquoise hue, which today the whole world unmistakably identifies as "Tiffan". The Tiffany product catalog, called the Blue Book, is also painted in it. With its release in 1845, the world first learned what it is to order goods by mail.

Relevant and priceless

The success of Tiffany & Co. largely due to sensitive and clear adherence to public taste. Over time, the brand itself will become the very flagship by which the world determines what will be fashionable and what will be released into circulation.

In the middle of the 19th century, light fell in love with silver. It was at this time that the invention by Tiffany & Co. experts. the so-called sterling silver jewelry standard - 925 samples (silver content 92.5%).

Tiffany & Co. never ignored social and political events. During the civil war of 1862, the company supplied weapons to the northern army, and after it produced sabers and daggers encrusted with precious stones.

By the end of the 19th century, trust in Tiffany & Co. in the United States reaches such a level that the company's specialists were instructed to finalize the state seal.

Meanwhile, distrustful of overseas trends, Europe is gradually falling in love with American jewelry number one. In 1867 Tiffany & Co. wins an award at the international exhibition Universelle in Paris. After 20 years, the company returns to conquered France and acquires precious stones. From this moment begins the triumphal procession of the King of Diamonds Tiffany.

Popular fame comes to Tiffany in 1961 after the release of the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" based on the book of the same name by Truman Capote with Audrey Hepburn in the title role. For the film's release, jewelry house designer Jean Schlumberger created a 128.54-carat diamond necklace for Audrey.

A few years later, Tiffany & Co. creates the Super Bowl trophy (later the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy) of the National Football League of America, and in 2004 the Nascar trophy.

royal gift

In 1861, Charles Tiffany presents a set of pearls from Tiffany & Co. as a gift to the wife of US President Lincoln. From that moment on, the jewelry house acquires not just a premium status, it becomes a measure of style for the richest cream of society.

Today, a Tiffany blue box, tied with a white satin ribbon, with precious contents is not just a nice present, it is a non-verbal sign that cancels all sorts of grievances, makes amends and elevates relationships to another level. Rumor has it that Tiffany's meticulous marketing strategy really saved more than one American family from collapse.

And how can you not forgive everything in the world when you are put on a par with Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, Liza Minnelli, Baroness Thyssen-Bornemisz and Queen Elizabeth with such a gift?

A few years ago, Tiffany & Co. celebrated her 175th birthday. For the anniversary, the jewelry house timed the presentation of a new collection, The Legacy Gemstones of Tiffany. Each piece is dedicated to a page in Tiffany's history. So, the collection included an oval ring with kunzite, a lilac-pink stone named after the company's specialist George Kunz, who was looking for raw materials for Tiffany around the world.

The name of Kunz is associated with the glory of Tiffany as the Diamond Empire. In 1877, a yellow diamond of extraordinary purity and weighing more than 250 carats was found in South Africa. Gemologist George Frederick Kunz undertook to cut the treasure. Thus, one of the most famous pieces of jewelry art in the history of mankind, the Tiffan Diamond, was born. Its uniqueness lies not only in "natural data" (128.5 carats in finished form), but also in the skill of processing - the diamond has 90 facets, which is 30 more than in the traditional cut of those years.

George Kunz has many other achievements to his credit. Thanks to his initiative and perseverance, it was possible to establish the carat as a unit of weight for precious stones in the United States, and then throughout the world.

Dove Picasso

At various times, eminent artists and designers worked for the Tiffany jewelry house: Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti, Franck Géry. One of the big names associated with the brand is definitely Paloma Picasso. The daughter of the famous artist was named by her father in the same way as his famous drawing La Paloma (“dove”), which depicts a white dove of peace.

Paloma's artistic endeavors began with a career as a costume designer. Talent did not long languish in obscurity. Soon after the debut, Paloma is invited to cooperate with Yves Saint Laurent. In 1974, Paloma reveals her acting potential by starring in an erotic film by the Polish director Valerian Borowczyk. The collaboration between Picasso and Tiffany began in 1980. One of the most striking collections created by Paloma in recent years is the Paloma Venezia series, dedicated to the beauty of Venetian architecture.

Jewelry house Tiffany & Co. in Russia

The official distributor of the brand in Russia is the company Mercury, which owns the retail space of the Moscow Central Department Store and the House of Leningrad Trade. However, if you visit the official website of Tiffany & Co., you will not find the addresses of Tiffany stores in Russia. Which, you see, is very strange, given that Tiffany & Co. connects with Russia not only consumer interests.

What is "Tiffany"? For many people, this is the infinitely high quality and impeccable style of jewelry that the company has been producing for over 170 years. It is hard to believe, but in 1837 it was a small stationery store located in New York. Its owner, Charles Lewis Tiffany, was a very ambitious man who believed in his success and was not afraid to take risks.

He knew that beauty is an eternal value, so he started selling jewelry. At first it was inexpensive jewelry, then good fakes for European brands. The business developed rapidly and soon Charles Tiffany was able to fulfill his dream - together with Jabiz L. Ellis, he founded a jewelry company, which began to expand very quickly.

Charles Lewis Tiffany relied on extravagance - in his store you could buy something that was not sold in other salons. He connected his wild imagination to the business and it brought him good dividends. Soon "Tiffany" became known throughout the country.

The legendary jeweler did not rest on this - he began to cooperate with European companies and import rough and cut diamonds into the United States. So, in 1848, Tiffany brought the jewels of Marie Antoinette and Prince Esterhazy of Hungary from Europe, and in 1877, a wonderful yellow diamond of 128.51 carats was bought, then called "Tiffany".

Wealthy Americans were happy to buy antique jewelry belonging to noble European aristocrats. Perhaps the grandest piece of jewelry was Empress Eugenia's diamond necklace, after the sale of which the title of diamond king was firmly established for Charles Tiffany.

However, "Tiffany" was engaged not only in the sale of antique jewelry, but itself could boast of magnificent jewelry, which invariably took first place in various jewelry competitions. Year by year the professionalism of the company grew, which even patented its own invention - a six-prong mount for single diamonds.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the Tiffany jewelry house also became known as a major supplier of cultured pearls and jewelry made from it. In 1889, a collection of exceptional beauty and rarity was presented, which is now in the American Museum of Natural History.

The prestige of "Tiffany" is undeniable, and the best proof of this is the main brand salon located on the corner of 5th Avenue, where the heroine Audrey Hepber liked to drop in in the notorious movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". The blue box from "Tiffany" has become a symbol of impeccable taste. It must be said that in order to maintain its reputation, the company has to sacrifice profitable orders from time to time if they do not correspond to the high parameters of the company's style.

Under the leadership of "Tiffany" unusually talented jewelers have always worked, many of whom are now known as independent designers: Paloma Picasso, Angela Cummings and others. Thanks to their selfless work, Tiffany's jewelry masterpieces can now be seen not only in the USA, but also in Great Britain, Germany, a number of Asian countries and even in Japan.

What woman's heart does not flutter at the mere word - Tiffany? How many things have merged in it ... Tiffany is a classic in all its diversity and constancy, when it seems that you have already understood, captured the spirit of jewelry ... and at the last moment it slips away, because Tiffany is a dream, a mirage, a haze, the same eternal like a classic. Tiffany is style. Tiffany is more than one hundred and fifty years on the jewelry market.

Tiffany's story began on September 18, 1837... It was then that Charles Lewis Tiffany and John Young opened their first store on Broadway Tiffany & Young. Now, hearing the name of a world-famous brand, it is hard to believe that then, at the very beginning, Tiffany won its popularity not with jewelry, but with stationery and gift souvenirs. Moreover, the revenue for the first day was purely symbolic - $4.98.

The charm of Tiffany is in constancy and variability. We never know what the new collection will bring us, but we can be sure that the designers will not deviate even a millimeter from the accepted concept of style. Tiffany is a classic. Even the pale blue packaging, in which the boxes are wrapped today, from the sight of which the heart of every woman begins to beat faster - even it was invented in the same 1837, becoming a kind of hallmark of the brand.

In 1845, the first Tiffany catalog was published - also designed in blue tones. Thus began another famous Tiffany tradition that has survived to this day. Probably, this is exactly what the connection of times embodied in a thing looks like ... Metal and precious stones, which will be the same through the centuries, enclosed in a velvet fabric of traditions and genius.

This is variety. It seems that there is no such thing that the masters of the jewelry house could not create. Earrings, bracelets, trophies, cups, seals, watches, silverware ... By the way, Tiffany's famous 925 silver items appeared in 1851. Tiffany is quality. And not the one that reaches for state standards, but the one that creates these standards. After all, it was the 925 silver standard that, after its use by this jewelry house, became the quality standard in the United States.

By the way, have you ever wondered which is correct - Tiffany or Tiffany? In fact, the full name of the company is Tiffany & Co, or simply Tiffany. This name was given to the company in 1853, when Charles Tiffany bought out the share of his partner John Young. And it was then that another symbol of the company appeared - the famous watch, which the mythical figure of Atlanta holds on its shoulders. What did Charles Tiffany want to say when he commissioned a similar statue to the famous wood carver Metzler and installed it above the entrance to the store? Atlas is a character in the myths of Ancient Greece, whose culture became a classic thanks to the Renaissance. The clock is a symbol of the transience of time and at the same time eternity. Maybe already then the main design concept of all Tiffany products was laid - a classic through time, into eternity?

Whatever it was, and the company's business went up the hill. In 1861, she received the greatest honor - to take part in the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Tiffany became the author of the jug that was used in the ceremony. By the way, the president himself also appreciated the products of the house - and in honor of the inauguration, he presented his wife with a magical jewelry set from Tiffany, made of small, dew-like pearls.

And in 1862, the civil war began in the United States and a new Tiffany story began. And here Tiffany showed herself from a completely unexpected side - and throughout the war she supplied weapons, medicines and surgical equipment for the army of the North. The merits were appreciated - later the designers of this company created ceremonial sabers for Admiral Faragot, Generals Sherman and Grant.

1867 was a year of recognition not only in the United States, but also in the fashion-setting city of Paris. It was there, at the world-famous exhibition Universelle Tiffany & Co. became the first American company to receive the highest award for the high quality of silver products. And four years later, the designers consolidated their success by creating a worldwide collection of table silver - "Audubon", which was based on Japanese motifs of the 19th century. Seems like more? But there is no limit to perfection - and in 1873 the Boston Museum acquires the famous Tiffany jug made of silver with blackening of copper, the first, but far from the last product of the company, which has become a worthy decoration of museum collections.

In 1877, one of the largest diamonds in the world was discovered in the Kimberley, and around the same time Tiffany was joined by the best gemologist of the day, Dr. George Frederick Kunz. Not surprisingly, in 1878, one of the most amazing diamonds of all time, the Tiffany Diamond, was born, one of the largest and purest yellow diamonds in the world. A unique cut diamond - 90 facets, 30 more than the traditional cut of diamonds of that time.

Tiffany is almost a national American company. Participation in the inauguration of Lincoln and the Civil War, products in national museums ... So who else could be entrusted with the reconstruction of the US state seal? The answer is obvious - no one else ... So Tiffany got the strangest and most effective advertisement that you can think of - the company's design is still on US banknotes ...

In 1887, Charles Tiffany received a rather "modest" title - the king of diamonds. Are you already wondering why? It's simple - the jewelry house has acquired several unique pieces of jewelry from the French Royal Court…

Tiffany is tradition. In 1887, Charles Tiffany received a pretty title - King of Diamonds. Are you already wondering why? It's simple - the jewelry house acquired several unique pieces of jewelry from the French Royal Court ... So one of the most famous jewelers of all time became a king, and Tiffany became a kingdom. And in the kingdoms, power, according to the same traditions, is inherited. Therefore, it is not surprising that after the death of Charles Tiffany, the company went to his son, Louise, no. And the son turned out to be a worthy successor to his father's work - already in 1902 he founded Tiffany Art Jewelry, a special division that develops innovative collections of jewelry and their coatings.

In 1907, Tiffany participated in the creation of a standard for determining the weight of precious stones - this is how the well-known carat was born, and in 1926 the US government approved the platinum purity standard based on the recommendations of the jewelry house.

In 1930, Tiffany conquers a new field - sports. It seems that to do a jewelry company in sports? But Tiffany succeeded here too - it was in 1930 that the New York Yacht Club ordered a trophy cup made of 750 gold. And not just a cup - but a very peculiar and ironic one. To Sir Thomas Lipton - the most reckless loser in the history of sports" - this was the engraving on the cup, which was given to Sir Lipton, who made several unsuccessful attempts to return the American Sports Cup from Great Britain to America.

By 1940, Tiffany is already a fairly well-known company, and its management decides it's time to move on. "Fifth Avenue" of New York, how could it be otherwise? The most famous and expensive street not only in New York, but also in the world, a street of exclusive boutiques, fashion and jewelry houses… And a building designed by Cross & Cross.

Tiffany has always had a non-standard approach to advertising. Although, perhaps, this is one of the few companies for which its products speak, and which does not need to shout about itself. So it was with the standards of precious metals and stones, so it was with the US government seal created by Tiffany. And the book "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Truman Capote, published in 1950, was no exception. A bestseller that ten years later was made into the film TIFFANY breakfast starring Audrey Hepburn. The film, after which everyone knew about Tiffany. Given the film's title, it's no surprise that Audrey wore a 128.54-carat diamond necklace by Jean Schlumberger for a 1961 photo shoot to promote the film.

Brilliant designers and jewelers have worked for Tiffany at various times. Since 1956 - the already mentioned above Jean Schlumberger (Jean Schlumberger), a French designer who represented Tiffany in Paris. In 1974 - Elsa Peretti, recognized as the best designer of accessories in 1996 for the collection she created for Tiffany. Since 1980, the notorious Paloma Picasso has worked for Tiffany. And in 2006 Tiffany&Co was joined by designer Frank Gehry, one of the greatest architects of our time, author of the Nationale-Nederlanden in Prague, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

In the second half of the 20th century, Tiffany began to actively expand. In 1963, a Tiffany & Co branch was opened in San Francisco - the first independent branch (there used to be salons) outside New York, in 1972 a Tiffany store was opened in Japan, on the territory of the Mitsukoshi shopping center. In 1986, with the opening of a branch in London, on Old Bond Street, Tiffany finally established itself in the European market. And in 1987, the famous brand celebrated 100 years since its foundation... In honor of this date, exhibitions of Tiffany's jewelry were held in museums around the world.

However, behind all these troubles, the company never forgot about social activities - and it entered the new, twenty-first century with the opening of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, an organization that promotes corporate culture and provides special grants to companies dedicated to education, art, culture, conservation and environmental protection.

All this time, the company has been actively working on new and new masterpieces, exploring new markets and winning the love of its customers. In 1967, Tiffany and the National Football League of America began a fruitful collaboration with the creation of the Super Bowl trophy, later renamed the "Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy". In 1968, Tiffany works on the design of the Chinese Service Office at the White House on behalf of First Lady Linda Baines Johnson. In 2003, the original “Legacy Collection” saw the light of day - wedding sets and wedding rings. 2004 marked the creation of the Nascar Trophy, which was handcrafted in less than 135 hours from order.

In 2005, Tiffany successfully became interested in Swiss watches - and the result was The Tiffany Grand collection, where the familiar rectangular shape of Grand watches of the 30s and 40s was harmoniously combined with new fashion trends. And in 2007, Tiffany Novo appeared, a symbol of freedom and a new style, a symbol of the connection between times and old traditions. A soft-cut diamond inspired by the Tiffany diamond.

Tiffany has many faces. Her jewelry is not only for women, but also for men, and for children, and even for babies. Decorations for weddings and for a romantic meeting, decorations for every day. Everyone will be able to find their own product, with which it seems that the world revolves around you ...

Tiffany never creates banal things. Yes, and it would be strange - when collections are created by so many great designers and craftsmen, being banal is a frank bad manners.