Editor’s Note
This article is part of a series profiling iconic jewelry houses. Tiffany & Co., founded in New York in 1837, is renowned as America’s premier silversmith. Its legacy is defined by the annual Blue Book collection and timeless designs like the Return To Tiffany series and its iconic six-prong engagement ring setting.
Originally named Tiffany & Young, it began as a stationery store in New York in 1837. Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany, Tiffany and Co. remains the most important silversmith in the United States.
The brand showcases its most extravagant and rare pieces in its annual Blue Book collection, which began in 1845.
Some of its most popular and famous pieces are Return To Tiffany, Tiffany Key, and Tiffany Soleste, and, of course, its iconic 6-prong engagement rings. Tiffany & Co. is famous for its little blue box, synonymous with quality, luxury, and style.
Price: between $15,500 and $15 million.
Most expensive Tiffany & Co. piece sold at auction: A 3.09-carat round brilliant solitaire diamond ring in platinum with VS1 clarity, sold for $60,000 in 2016.
Harry Winston was founded in New York in 1932 with Harry Winston himself as the founder. He was soon crowned “King of Diamonds” and “Jeweler to the Stars” for his high jewelry creations. One of the most notable pieces he acquired was the Hope Diamond, a 45.42-carat, heart-shaped grayish-blue diamond that was given to King George IV of the United Kingdom.
Today it is in Washington DC as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibitions.
Price: between $4,000 and $20 million.
The most expensive Harry Winston sold at auction: The Gulf Pearl Parure, a 325-carat parure of natural pearls and diamonds, sold for $4,189,165 in 2006.
Founded in 1847 by Louis François Cartier, the brand earned its reputation as “The jeweler of kings, the king among jewelers,” pioneering the combination of platinum and diamond. Its most notable lines include the Love collection, Juste un Clou, and Panthere. These distinctive collections are very popular among celebrities, with variations available in different gold colors and with or without diamond accents.
Price: between $1,000 and $2.76 million.
The most expensive Cartier sold at auction: A 25.6-carat Burmese ruby, called the Sunrise Ruby.
It was dubbed the world’s most expensive ruby, gemstone, and non-diamond gem, and sold for $30,335,698 in 2015.
Chopard is a Swiss brand founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in the 1860s, originally known for creating watches and pocket watches for women.
When Chopard was sold to Karl Scheufele in 1963, the brand stood out for its Art-Deco inspired watches and its Happy Diamonds line. The floating diamonds behind the watch crystal, a signature of the brand, were created in the mid-seventies.
It is currently the corporate partner of the Cannes Film Festival, official timekeeper of the Monaco Grand Prix and the Mille Miglia. Chopard prides itself on using ethically sourced gold and aims to use sustainable gold in all pieces it produces.
Price: between $2,000 and $16.26 million.
The most expensive Chopard sold at auction: A set of emerald and diamond jewelry, sold for $1,171,932.
After their marriage in 1895, Alfred van Cleef and Estelle Arpels started a luxurious line in 1906 that still exists today. After opening their first store on Place Vendome in Paris, in the 1940s Van Cleef and Arpel opened their first store in the United States, in Palm Beach, followed by another in New York.
Among some of this maison’s exceptional achievements is its patented and innovative creation called the Mystery Set. This is an intricate piece with a clip that takes an expert jeweler an astonishing 300 hours or more to create. Van Cleef and Arpels is famous for the playful use of animals, flowers, and nature in its designs.
Price: between $1,500 and $490,000.
The most expensive sold at auction: An 8.24-carat ruby and diamond ring, sold for $4,226,500 in 2011.
Graff’s origins date back to England in 1960, when Laurence Graff founded the company. The brand is famous for its large diamond designs and also for buying and resetting prominent diamonds.
Some of Graff’s most famous diamonds are the Graff Pink, an emerald-cut pink diamond of over 20 carats, and the Delaire Sunrise, the world’s largest emerald-cut Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond.
Price range: between $1,350 and $46.2 million.
The most expensive Graff sold at auction: The Graff Pink, a 24.78-carat pink diamond, sold for $46 million in 2017.
This line was founded by David and Sybil Yurman in 1980. It is known for sculpting designs reminiscent of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. One of the most popular designs is its iconic cable bracelet in sterling silver and gold, adorned with colored gemstones.
The brand uses vibrant colors and playful, structured designs. David Yurman is a popular choice among men and women of all ages, ideal for daily wear and especially for stacking bracelets.
