Sterling Silver- About Tiffany Fine Silver

Tiffany and Company was originally founded by Charles L. Tiffany in 1837 with John B. Young under the name Tiffany and Young. In 1851 John C. Moore and Son entered into a special business relationship with Tiffany.

In 1868 the silverware factory of Moore became part of organization with Edward C. Moore becoming one of the directors. Throughout the remaining years of the 19th century, Tiffany’s won wide acclaim for the nature of its product and the wealth of its clientele.

Tiffany and Co. moved to its current location on New York 5th Ave. in 1940. The new building was immensely beautiful and was designed in the art deco style. Above the door is a statue of Atlas bearing the weight of the world. Instead of a globe being held above his head, he holds a clock. The architects of the building wanted to create an ominous affect that reminded Tiffany and Co.’s visitors of the rarity and preciousness of the treasures carried by the store. For that reason, all of the buildings doors were made to look like the doors of industrial bank vaults.

Today, Tiffany and Co. remains a leading maker of jewelry, china, crystal, silver, and glassware. Tiffany’s sterling pieces are some of the purest to be found in the world.

Founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany

The year was 1837. Charles Lewis Tiffany and his schoolmate John Young traveled from New England to New York City with an idea and a dream that were to become Tiffany and Co. While the first day of business brought a mere four dollars and 98 cents, the world of jewelry and luxury goods would never again be the same. Charles Tiffany's tireless search for one-of-a-kind objects charmed and fascinated the wealthy of New York.

But when the store obtained some of the French crown jewels in 1887, Tiffany's fame spread far and wide. Charles Lewis Tiffany went on to introduce the nation's first retail catalogue. And, his obsession with the simple elegance of classic silver design earned Tiffany and Co. the highly coveted Award of Merit at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1867. This was the first time an American company had been recognized by a European jury.

Of the many individual achievements made under the leadership of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the introduction of the celebrated engagement ring in the 6-prong Tiffany setting is one of the most noteworthy. But, of course, Charles Lewis Tiffany's grandest accomplishment was to establish America's preeminent house of design and the world's premier jeweler.

Charles Lewis Tiffany

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), the celebrated jewelry and glass designer, was born the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany and Co. His remarkable career designing jewelry, windows and decorative glass spanned 57 years including his tenure with L.C. Tiffany and Associates Artists, the Tiffany Glass Company, Tiffany Studios, TIffany Furnaces, and L.C. Tiffany Furnaces.

In 1902 he became Tiffany and Co.'s first Design Director, creating fantastic jewelry designs inspired both by nature and the art of other cultures. His patent for opalescent window glass in 1881 and his commissions for Mark Twain, Cornelius Vanderbilt and many others earned him an international reputation. His work has been honored by museums and treasured by collectors around the world.

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Tiffany and Company

Examples of Tiffany silver.