The Tiffany Legacy Collection

Tiffany Legacy Engagement Ring Cushion Cut Diamond. Photo ©2019 EraGem Jewelry.   The Tiffany Legacy collection pays tribute to Tiffany & Co.'s pioneering efforts in gemology and gem trading. In particular, it draws attention founder Charles Lewis Tiffany, as well as a renowned gemologist, George Frederick Kunz. Each piece in the Legacy collection features a scintillating central diamond, or any number of exclusive Tiffany colored gemstones.  

Charles Tiffany's Legacy

During the late 1800s, Tiffany & Co. led the pack in attaining exquisite diamonds and colored gemstones. It began with the exploits of Charles Lewis Tiffany himself. As co-founder of his eponymous fancy goods and stationery emporium in New York City, he took it upon himself to scour the world for the most astonishing diamonds and gemstones he could find. His keen eye and affable ways allowed him the opportunity to supply his store with a multitude of gems gleaned from cash-poor European nobles. He also acquired the crown jewels of France and Spain, introducing a multitude of colored gemstones to the U.S. for the first time. His prowess, as well as his astute employment of gemologist George Frederick Kunz, soon elevated Tiffany & Co. to its position as the world's authority on diamonds and gemstones. At some point, Tiffany expanded its operations to include silversmithing. Scads of students and apprentices learned from master silversmith, Edward C. Moore. By 1870, Tiffany & Co. crafted the finest silver jewelry and timepieces in America. (source) Meanwhile, Tiffany's son, Louis Comfort Tiffany, availed himself of the resources his father provided. By the 1880s, Louis was an accomplished interior designer in the Arts & Crafts tradition. As time went on, he incorporated more and more of the Art Nouveau principles into his designs, as well. Of course, he is best known for overseeing the stained glass department. However, after his father died, he actually held the position of Art Director for the entire company, including jewelry design. Together, Charles and Louis Tiffany maintained Tiffany & Co.'s stellar reputation and authority on diamonds and gemstones. It is this contribution that the Legacy Collection celebrates.  

The Tiffany Legacy Collection

Every single piece in the Tiffany Legacy collection centers on a spectacular diamond or colored gemstone. Primarily, the collection highlights diamonds, as well as the four stones discovered during the peak of Tiffany's gemstone discoveries. These four stones include kunzite, morganite, tanzanite, and tsavorite. Not surprisingly, kunzite was discovered by George Frederick Kunz. In 1920, the purplish-pink stone made its debut exclusively in Tiffany & Co. designs. A decade earlier, Kunz discovered morganite in Madagascar. The company decided to honor a devoted customer. They named the blush-pink stone after banking magnate, John Pierpont Morgan. Decades after Kunz passed on, Tiffany & Co. continued discovering new gemstones. In 1968, they added tanzanite to their jewelry. Discovered, of course, in Tanzania, tanzanite radiates in shades of azure blue. A few years later, on the border between Tanzania and Kenya, in Tsavo National Park, the vivid yellow-green garnet called tsavorite was discovered. Tiffany & Co. added this gemstone to their jewelry collections, as well. In addition to these important gemstones, the Tiffany Legacy collection also features white diamonds, as well as fancy colored diamonds and rare-colored sapphires. Tiffany & Co. first introduced the Tiffany Legacy collection in 2012, in celebration of their 175th anniversary. Today, you have the opportunity to purchase this gorgeous Tiffany Legacy engagement ring, featuring an astonishing 2.8-carat H/VVS1, cushion-cut diamond. Give us a call today to make your appointment. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews