In 1877, the founder of New York jeweller Tiffany & Co, Charles Lewis Tiffany, acquired an incredible 287.42-carat rough fancy yellow diamond from South Africa's Kimberley mine. It was and remains one of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered. Instead of retaining as much of the huge stone as possible, the company, under the expert eye of its celebrated gemologist George Kunz, cut it down by more than half to 128.54 carats. To further ensure optimal brilliance and beauty, the cushion-cut stone had 82 facets - compared to the usual 58 for a brilliant cut.
The Tiffany Diamond, which has never been for sale, has since become an important symbol for the brand. It has been worn by just four women, including film icon Audrey Hepburn, and most recently, superstar Beyoncé, for the brand's About Love campaign in 2021. It is re-set only for what the brand deems "extraordinary occasions": Its fifth and latest incarnation, which places the stone at the centre of five soaring birds, was created for the recent grand reopening of its Landmark store in New York.
It is this sense of grandiosity and wonder that Tiffany president and CEO Anthony Ledru seeks to recapture with his strategy for the company. Speaking to Prestige Singapore via video conference from Miami, Ledru, who was made chief executive of the brand following its acquisition by LVMH for US$15.8 billion (S$21.5 billion) in 2021, shares, "Exceptional stones are part of our DNA and who we are. We started a very long time ago, with the Tiffany Diamond. Few people know this, but we are one of the oldest jewellers in the world. Most of our competitors, whom we respect very much, were born after us.
"And when you think about legacy stones at Tiffany, we did not just have some of the most important precious stones. We were also explorers, introducing stones such as tanzanite, morganite and of course, kunzite, named after our then chief gemologist Kunz."
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Sailing Into A Dream
Scenes from the fantasy feature Game of Thrones come to life in the otherworldly landscapes of the Arctic Circle.
Here Come The Sun Seats
Italian furniture has long held the crown for blending luxurious, sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship.
ABSOLUMENT FAB
France's premier fair for fine-art and antiques returns for its third edition inside its new home in the Grand Palais.
Through the Director's Lens
Filmmaker JIA ZHANGKE and his protégé RAFAEL MANUEL share their perspectives on life, cinema and their current projects.
THE CUTTING EDGE
Having long played quiet supporting roles in the gem industry, gem cutters are finally having their day in the sun. Four acclaimed independent master gem cutters share more about their love of the craft and the creation of their best pieces.
Spheres of Power
Following up on the gold- and titanium-focused Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams launch collection, the superstar now turns to pearls for a softer, but no less striking, second act.
Horological Masterpieces Reimagined
Beyond the wrist, these timekeepers transcend all traditional boundaries.
WILD IMAGINATION
Cartier's latest category-spanning Panthère de Cartier novelties showcase the endless ways in which the panther continues to inspire.
READY FOR ACTION
The latest watch to come from the celebrated Richard Mille and McLaren partnership looks set to be another trailblazing timepiece.
THE RIGHT ANGLES
Twenty-five years after the launch of its last new collection, Twenty-4, Patek Philippe introduces the Cubitus range.
