When people think of romance, glamour, and that distinctive blue, Tiffany engagement rings are often the first thing that comes to mind. Opening that little blue box has become a worldwide symbol of love and commitment.
Tiffany’s story, though, runs much deeper. It’s about innovation, craftsmanship, and design spanning nearly two centuries. This is how Tiffany & Co. became one of the world’s most influential jewellers.
Humble beginnings in New York
The story began in 1837 when Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young opened a small stationery and fancy goods shop in New York, called Tiffany, Young and Ellis. Backed by US$1,000 borrowed from Tiffany’s father, they took just US$4.98 on the first day.
By 1845 they’d launched the Blue Book, one of the earliest luxury mail-order catalogues. In 1853 Charles Tiffany bought out his partner and renamed the firm Tiffany & Co.
The 1870s: World Stage Success
By the 1870s, Tiffany was making its mark internationally:
- In 1867 it became the first American silversmith recognised for silver hollowware at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.
- At the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquired a mixed-metal jug the first Tiffany piece to enter a major museum collection.
- In 1878 Tiffany returned to Paris and won the gold medal for silverware, praised for its strong Japanese influences.
The Tiffany Setting: A new kind of Engagement Ring
Tiffany’s defining breakthrough arrived in 1886 with the Tiffany Setting. Until then, diamonds were often buried in heavy mounts. The six-prong setting lifted the stone above the band so light could reach it from all angles, dramatically increasing sparkle.
The design set the standard for solitaire rings and remains the most popular style today. It also reshaped how people think about engagement rings. From then on, Tiffany engagement rings weren’t just jewellery they were the emblem of romance.
Artistry in the early 20th century
After Charles Tiffany’s death in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany became the company’s first Design Director. Famous for stained glass and decorative arts, he brought an Art Nouveau eye to jewellery, using natural forms, enamel, and rich colour.
This period cemented Tiffany’s standing with high society on both sides of the Atlantic. Catalogues showcased platinum and diamond pieces that suited Edwardian tastes for refinement.
From Jazz Age sparkle to mid century glamour
Tiffany moved with the times. The 1920s and 30s embraced bold, geometric Art Deco, often with vivid coloured stones. Despite the Depression and war, Tiffany jewellery remained a favourite among the fashionable.
By the 1950s and 60s, Tiffany was part of popular culture. The classic film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with Audrey Hepburn gazing into the Fifth Avenue windows, made the brand a byword for romance. Tiffany meant elegance and the ideal engagement ring.
The design icons of the modern era
From the mid 20th century, Tiffany worked with standout designers. Jean Schlumberger joined in the 1950s with playful, nature-led creations and Elsa Peretti in the 1970s, introducing minimalist, organic forms such as the Open Heart and Diamonds by the Yard. Paloma Picasso added bold colour and artistic flair in the 1980s. These collaborations kept Tiffany current while the Tiffany Setting remained the anchor. There was always something new to excite buyers.
Tiffany and the UK
Although founded in New York, Tiffany has long been part of British luxury culture. A London presence dates to the 19th century, and the name quickly became shorthand for elegance among affluent Londoners.
In 2022, the Vision & Virtuosity exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery showcased the archives, from historic jewels to modern design with the Tiffany Setting and Tiffany engagement rings at the centre. For UK couples, Tiffany blends American innovation with European polish.
A 21st century reinvention
Tiffany continues to evolve. In 2019 it became the first global jeweller to disclose diamond provenance, setting a benchmark for transparency. In 2021, luxury group LVMH acquired Tiffany, bringing investment in stores and high jewellery. Flagship spaces have been refreshed, new jewellery collections launched, and the Tiffany Yellow Diamond remains a star attraction worldwide.
Famous Tiffany rings
That same stone, the Tiffany Yellow Diamond is also at the heart of the brand’s legacy of famous rings. Discovered in South Africa in 1877 and bought by Charles Tiffany the following year, the rough stone weighed 287 carats. Under gemmologist George Frederick Kunz, it was cut in Paris into a 128.54 carat cushion brilliant with 82 facets to maximise its fire.
It has only been worn by four women: American Diplomat’s wife Mary Whitehouse in 1957, Audrey Hepburn in publicity for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars, and Beyoncé for an ad campaign in 2021. Today it’s on display at the Fifth Avenue flagship a permanent symbol of Tiffany’s craft.
A replica of the Tiffany Yellow Diamond featured in the 2022 film Death on the Nile, keeping the stone in the public eye.
Tiffany has produced many other notable rings, including bespoke pieces for Hollywood and royalty. The Grace Diamond ring, inspired by actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, is among the best known. Yet the 1886 Tiffany Setting remains the most recognisable of all.
Together, these pieces show how Tiffany engagement rings are both beautiful objects and cultural touchstones. They represent romance, prestige, and enduring style.
What makes Tiffany engagement rings special?
Tiffany engagement rings are the epitome of heritage and beauty. The Tiffany Setting is an icon, but there are halo, pavé, and coloured stone options too. Diamonds are selected and cut to exacting standards and every ring arrives in that little blue box.
Jewellery insurance and Tiffany Engagement Rings
A Tiffany ring often becomes a family heirloom. Jewellery insurance protects both the financial value and the sentiment attached to such an important piece, with many owners insuring their ring separately from home insurance to ensure it’s covered for theft, loss, or accidental damage often with worldwide protection.
You can read more about Jewellery and home insurance on our blog here.
Tiffany Engagement Rings
From the first shop in 1837 to global luxury status today, Tiffany has shaped modern jewellery. The Yellow Diamond of the 1870s, the 1886 Setting, Louis Comfort Tiffany’s early-20th-century artistry, and late-century design icons all built a legacy that still shines.
At the centre are the high-quality, enduring Tiffany engagement rings - not just beautiful, but lasting symbols of love and heritage, cherished by couples everywhere.
Further reading:How to insure your jewellery after a proposal.
Disclaimer
All facts have been checked against reliable sources and while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, any errors or omissions are unintentional.
