Brief History of Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in New York City and remains one of the world’s most iconic luxury jewelry brands. Originally established as a stationery and fancy goods emporium under the name Tiffany, Young & Ellis, the store quickly became known for its focus on high-quality craftsmanship and unique products. Today Tiffany & Co is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, innovation in jewelry design, and a commitment to sourcing high-quality materials, particularly diamonds. Tiffany & Co. is famous for its signature blue box, the legendary six prong Tiffany diamond setting and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In 2021, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate, acquired Tiffany & Co. in a deal valued at around $15.8 billion. This acquisition marked a new chapter in Tiffany’s long-standing history, with plans to further elevate its global presence. Under new leadership, Tiffany & Co has focused on modernizing the brand to attract younger consumers and elevating it's status in luxury by expanding its High Jewelry offering.
Rare & Collectible Tiffany & Co Earrings
Whether you are a seasoned collector or new admirer of Tiffany & Co earrings, we have highlighted four rare and collectible Tiffany & Co earring styles. While some of these specific Tiffany & Co earrings may be hard to source, these provide a foundation for Tiffany & Co earrings that are rare and collectible. We chose these Tiffany & Co earrings since they are timeless in their design, represent the most iconic motifs or reflect Tiffany & Co's heritage of quality and luxury. If you are looking to add rare and collectible Tiffany & Co earrings to your collection, read on to learn more about four distinct styles to consider.
Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Earrings
Jean Schlumberger is one of the most celebrated designers associated with Tiffany & Co. He joined the brand in 1956, bringing with him a unique artistic vision that transformed Tiffany’s jewelry collections. Schlumberger was known for his imaginative, nature-inspired designs, especially those involving flora and fauna. His whimsical and intricate pieces often incorporated vibrant gemstones and were worn by some of the world’s most glamorous women, including Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn. While the The Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch is his most iconic design, his earrings are also highly desired by collectors. Tiffany & Co Schlumberger colorful enamel earrings and simple gold rope styles start at around $5,000 while more elaborate nature inspired diamond earrings can range from $10,000 to $40,000. The most expensive Tiffany & Co Schlumberger earrings sold at Sotheby's featured two emerald drops weighing approximately 87.10 carats with ribbon scroll tops, set with round and marquise-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 13.25 carats sold for $300,000.
Tiffany & Co Angela Cummings Earrings
Angela Cummings is one of the most celebrated jewelry designers who worked for Tiffany & Co. during the 1970s. Known for her innovative use of materials and bold, nature-inspired designs, Cummings made significant contributions to Tiffany’s portfolio, blending luxury with modern artistry. Her signature techniques included mosaic inlaid materials like turquoise, lapis lazuli, and coral into metal settings and her use of organic and fluid shapes. Tiffany & Co Angela Cummings earrings are highly collectible since she only designed for Tiffany for 12 years and her bold earrings remain iconic today. Prices for Tiffany & Co Angela Cummings earrings range from about $3,000 to $10,000+ depending on the design, stones and condition. Tiffany & Co earrings from Angela Cummings are among the most accessible of our favorite rare and collectible style.
Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort
Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of founder Charles Lewis Tiffany, designed jewelry for Tiffany & Co for about 30 years starting in 1902. He is considered one of the most famous in-house designers and was known for his pioneering work in Art Nouveau stained glass and decorative arts. His lamp designs and glasswork are legendary, but he also made significant contributions to Tiffany’s jewelry with the use of natural motifs and vibrant gemstones. He became Tiffany & Co's first design director in 1902. Louis Comfort Tiffany's jewelry design motifs included flowers, leaves and insects and other organic elements. These nature-inspired forms were a hallmark of the Art Nouveau movement, which celebrated flowing, asymmetrical lines and patterns derived from nature. One of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s hallmark techniques in jewelry design was his innovative use of enamel. He employed a technique known as plique-à-jour, a type of enamel that allows light to shine through, creating a stained glass effect. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Louis Comfort Tiffany was not interested in traditional diamond and pearl jewelry that was popular during the turn of the century. Looking for new paths to forge, he chose to create jewelry that was exciting and new, valuable for their design and workmanship rather than their intrinsic value. An enthusiastic world traveler, he was excited and inspired by other cultures as can be seen in his designs in carved jadeite earrings and use of other precious materials. While Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort earrings are among the rarest of the collectible designers, these are a must have for a Tiffany & Co collector. Prices for Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort earrings range from $15,000 to over $50,000 depending on the design and condition.
Tiffany & Co Diamond Earrings
Tiffany & Co built its reputation on high quality diamonds from pioneering diamond standards to its iconic creation of the Tiffany setting in 1886 for diamond rings. Tiffany & Co diamond earrings are not as rare as the other designer styles, but the classic designs and commitment to craftsmanship make this classic style a must have too. We love diamond earrings that have Art Deco sensibility and feature different diamond shapes and different diamond colors or combine diamonds with colored gems stones. A pair of Tiffany & Co diamond earrings are timeless additions to your collection. The starting price for a pair of Tiffany & Co diamond earrings is around $10,000 and can exceed $100,000 depending on the design and total diamond and gem stone carat weight.
Buying and Selling Tiffany & Co Earrings At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has impressive Tiffany & Co. earrings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Tiffany & Co earrings available for immediate purchase. If you would like to view a pair of Tiffany & Co earrings, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Tiffany & Co earrings from its global supplier network.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling Tiffany & Co. earrings.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house with a 280-year history.