Must Have Rare and Collectible Tiffany & Co Rings
Discover the most collectible Tiffany & Co rings for your collection.
Brief History of Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in New York City and is 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 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. Since the acquisition, Tiffany & Co has pushed to appeal to a younger more fashion forward audience with marketing campaigns staing Beyoncé and Jay-Z, symbolizing a new era for Tiffany. Tiffany & Co has doubled down on its high jewelry offering to compete at the top tier of the luxury market, showcasing extravagant pieces at global events, including its "Blue Book" collection.
Rare & Collectible Tiffany & Co Rings
Whether you are a seasoned collector or new admirer of Tiffany & Co rings, we have highlighted four rare and collectible Tiffany & Co designers and ring categories. While these specific Tiffany & Co rings may not be available or very hard to source, these provide a foundation for Tiffany & Co rings that are rare and collectible. We chose these Tiffany & Co rings since they are timeless in their design, represent the most iconic designers or reflect Tiffany & Co's heritage of quality and luxury. If you are looking to add rare and collectible Tiffany & Co rings to your collection, read on to learn more about must have designers and styles.
Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Bee
French-born jeweler Jean Schlumberger began designing in the mid-1930s, catering to a well-heeled clientele that included the Princess de Faucigny, the Duchess of Kent and, legendary within the jewelry collecting world, socialite Daisy Fellowes. His career was already well-established when he opened his New York store in 1947, but it was his collaboration with Tiffany & Co. starting in 1956 that sealed his reputation as one of the great designers of the 20th century. Schlumberger's whimsical creations flourished in the non-conformist spirit of the 1960s and 70s, his designs embraced by well-bred women who wished to wear something unorthodox and eccentric while remaining comfortably within the realm of good taste. He frequently took inspiration from nature, with flora and fauna figuring prominently into his more iconic works: peridot seahorses, moonstone jellyfish, sapphire thistles and diamond bees. Sotheby's sold a Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Diamond Bee ring featuring an 11.13-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond in 2011 for just over $1 million. The ring's design seems to mirror a sweetly evocative drop of honey —is so vibrant that it is hard to conceive it was created by nature alone.
Prince Napoleon, Pretender to the Imperial Crown of France and descendant of Jerome, Napoleon I's youngest brother, commissioned the first "bee ring." Lifted from the Napoleonic coat of arms and a symbol of the Empire, the bee was an apt motif for mounting a diamond once owned by his great-great-aunt Josephine. Prince Napoleon was reportedly so delighted with the design that he gave Schlumberger permission to reproduce it. Another notable bee ring, supporting a white diamond weighing 8.23 carats, was in the collection of Betsey Cushing Whitney and offered for sale by Sotheby's in 1998. All known bee rings feature a generously-sized center stone upheld by dainty diamond-set bees, reflecting the balance of profusion and restraint that is emblematic of Schlumberger's work. The design also encapsulates Schlumberger's wonderful ability to lend a touch of levity to serious jewelry, transforming what would otherwise be a straightforward display of wealth into something infinitely more fun and wearable. Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Bee rings start at around $15,000 for ring featuring a pearl or small center colored gemstone but expect the rings featuring large gemstones and diamonds to exceed $100,000.
Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort Ring
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.
Louis Comfort Tiffany worked with George Frederick Kunz, the gem expert at Tiffany & Co., who traveled the world in search of rare and beautiful gemstones. Kunz found a rare 11.05 carat natural color fancy intense yellow diamond and it was Tiffany's keen eye for color that paired it with fancy-cut emeralds. The mounting on this ring is designed with filigree work, most likely inspired by items in Tiffany's collection at his home. The rope-like motifs encircle the diamond and border the emeralds with the ornamentation continuing as strips on the shank, terminating with incised bands. The decoration is reiterated on the underside of the diamond, encircling the culet, a detail that only a superb designer would create. While this rare Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort Yellow Diamond ring sold for just over $800,000 in 2009, the unique designs of Tiffany & Co Louis Comfort rings make them the ultimate collectible piece for a Tiffany & Co collection.
Tiffany & Co Diamond Ring
Tiffany & Co built its reputation on high quality diamonds from pioneering diamond standards to its iconic engagement ring setting with the creation of the Tiffany setting in 1886. A Tiffany & Co diamond ring is 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 especially love Tiffany & Co diamond rings from the turn of the century like the 3.54 carat modified marquise shaped fancy blue ring set in a an elegant mounting with its millegrained borders and endearingly sweet floral motifs. This Tiffany & Co diamond ring sold for $2.4 million in 2012, almost 5x the high estimate. While this specific ring is unlikely come back to the secondary market soon, a rare Tiffany & Co ring from the early 1900s are rare and incredibly collectible. The starting price for a Tiffany & Co diamond ring is around $10,000 but can exceed $1 million for exceptional diamonds often exceeding 10 carats or incredible provenance.
Tiffany & Co Yellow Diamond Ring
Yellow diamonds have been a part of Tiffany & Co's legacy since 1877 when founder Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased a 287.42-carat rough yellow diamond from the Kimberley mines in South Africa. The yellow diamond was later cut into a 128.54-carat cushion-cut gem, now known as the Tiffany Diamond. It is one of the largest and most famous yellow diamonds in the world, celebrated for its exceptional color and brilliance. The rough stone was sent to Paris, where it was expertly cut by Tiffany's chief gemologist, George Frederick Kunz, in 1878. To maximize the gem's brilliance, Kunz cut into a cushion shape with 82 facets, 24 more than a traditional round brilliant cut. The cut and color made the yellow diamond a symbol of Tiffany's mastery in craftsmanship. The Tiffany Diamond has been worn only a few times by famous celebrities including Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. An impressive yellow diamond is a natural addition for a Tiffany & Co ring collection. Sotheby's has sold a number of impressive yellow diamond rings including a 9.55 Carat Emerald Cut Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond ring in 2009 for almost $450,000. Tiffany & Co yellow diamond rings can start as low as $10,000 for a simple ring featuring a 1 carat diamond and exceed $1 million for impressive fancy vivid intense yellow diamonds over 10 carats.
Buying and Selling Tiffany & Co Rings At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has impressive Tiffany & Co. rings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Tiffany & Co rings available for immediate purchase. If you would like to view a Tiffany & Co ring, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Tiffany & Co rings 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 a Tiffany & Co. ring.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house with a 280-year history.
