Video call
Talk to expert
The Tiffany Diamond is a truly iconic piece. Being one of the world’s largest and finest yellow diamonds, it’s a stone that is legendary.
Let’s look back…
A long time ago – in 1877 – a Diamond was discovered in a South African mine. The next year it was acquired for $18,000 by Charles Lewis Tiffany himself – the founder of the Tiffany & Co. Then, this priceless stone was taken to Paris, where it was cut into a cushion shape that only enhanced its unique natural color. Originally weighing 287.42 carats, today it weighs 128.54 carats and has – according to Tiffany – “unprecedented” 82 facets.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Tiffany Diamond was exhibited at special events, such as 939–40 World’s Fair in New York City.
However, it wasn’t officially worn until 1957 – when socialite Mrs. E. Sheldon Whitehouse donned it at the Tiffany Ball in Newport. That’s how the story of the relationship between the Tiffany Diamond and its legendary wearers began. The names of women honored to shine in this ?iamond can literally be counted on fingers of one hand.
The next woman to wear it was Audrey Hepburn. The name of the actress literally became synonymous with Tiffany’s. She wore the stone set in Jean Schlumberger’s Ribbon Rosette necklace (called The bird on a Rock) during the promotional campaign for the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961.
More than 50 years later – in 2019 – the Tiffany Diamond was worn again by Lady Gaga to the 91st annual Academy Awards, where she was nominated for her role in A Star Is Born. The Diamond was set into a necklace of more than 100 ct of white diamonds.
Later, the replica of the Tiffany Diamond was worn by Gal Gadot’s character Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle in the 2020 promotional images for Death on the Nile. There’s another imitation of the legendary Diamond: in 2003 Kate Hudson’s character Andie Anderson in a comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days wore a necklace with an imitation of the diamond.
However, the real Diamond was worn by very few. The fourth woman to shine bright in it was Beyoncé.
Tiffany & Co. 2021 campaign is fully dedicated to love. As a part of it, the iconic power couple – Beyoncé and Jay-Z – featured in The About Love film by Emmanuel Adjei. The movie demonstrates a soulful musical performance of the classic song “Moon River.” The tune, famous for 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is reimagined with vocals by Beyoncé and captured by Jay-Z on a Super 8 camera.
Why is this diamond so special?
The Tiffany Diamond is an epitome of the highest standards of quality, natural beauty and craftsmanship.
First of all, the Diamond’s original carat weight of 287.42 carats is simply amazing, allowing us to conclude that it’s one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered. Secondly, in order to maximize its brilliance, the Tiffany Diamond was cut into a cushion shape with 82 facets – which is 24 more than a traditional round diamond. Finally, the Diamond’s color shade is a golden yellow or so-called canary yellow color.
The Diamond has never been graded by any laboratory – hence the lack of precise color and clarity grades for the stone.
However, the characteristics we already have are already impressive, aren’t they?
Inspired by a legend
Iconic jewels are made to inspire!
The Tiffany Diamond – as well as its stunning wearers – introduced the fashion for yellow diamonds, which doesn’t fade, but only gains popularity every year. Yellow Diamond is the new classic.
Choose Fancy Intense Yellow Diamonds or Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamonds – they are especially appreciated, for juicy shimmering that resembles the rising sun. By the way, Yellow Diamonds in the emerald or round cut are rare and, hence, expensive. That’s because it requires special skills and luck of the cutter to preserve the intensity of the color in such shapes.
Such amazing Yellow Diamonds will look spectacular both independently and framed by any other stones – for example, classic white diamonds.
Need professional advice or wanna create a bespoke jewelry piece? Remember to use our MAD Advisor service.
Notable yellow diamonds
Not only Tiffany can boast such amazing characteristics. There are other famous Yellow Diamonds, like, for example, The Kimberley Octahedral – it is the largest naturally formed octahedral diamond crystal weighing 616 ct! Can you imagine?
The other example is The Sun of Africa. This Diamond weighted 127 ct when it was discovered and classified by GIA as Fancy Vivid Yellow – the most precious and rarest variety of yellow diamonds.
The Cora Sun Drop is an amazing pear shape yellow diamond that set the world record due to the anonymous telephone bidder who bought the 110,3 ct Cora Sun Drop for $10.9 million at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva in 2010.
Sounds truly impressive, right?
Subscribe to discover the world of diamonds and gems. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Back