Tiffany & Co. prides themselves in their craftsmanship for diamonds and their settings. They also happen to be GIA certified, considered of better quality and some of them have made history … Their products are luxurious, but are they worth it? Learn everything here.
Ever since Tiffany & Co started in 1837, they have been known for their luxury products. From engagement rings to silver, their items have always been of the highest craftsmanship. What they are likely most known for though, are their diamonds.
Even at the beginning, Tiffany & Co. knew that diamonds would be part of their lasting legacy. From famous family patrons, celebrities or the average consumer, everyone wanted and still wants a Tiffany diamond. Tiffany’s diamonds are special for many reasons. First, they work very hard in making a product they can be proud of, starting from scratch. Following the Kimberley Process, as well as exceeding it, Tiffany purchases only from known mines that are both environmentally and socially ethical. They hold themselves responsible for their supply chain, starting with mining then cutting, polishing, grading and setting. They aim to train and hire those from local mining communities for the cutting and polishing. Tiffany’s website states that 94% of the polishers employed in their Botswana studios are hired from the local community.
Are Tiffany GIA certified?
Additionally, Tiffany grades all their diamonds in house. They have their own laboratory, the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory, in New York City. The use of their own lab, as opposed to other labs such as the Gemological Institute of America, allows them to be fully accountable for their grades. Much like the supply chain, Tiffany is holding themselves responsible for all aspects of grading. They say their grading system is similar to the GIA, but with stricter standards. If a stone is borderline on any characteristic, they will go down in grade in order to guarantee the stone is exactly as is stated.
Are Tiffany diamonds worth it?
Overall, they grade similarly to other labs, in terms of giving a Carat Weight, Color, Clarity and Cut. The most important, for Tiffany, is the Cut as they only sell diamonds with Excellent Cut Grades. This alone is part of the reason their diamonds are worth it. They don’t have other cut grades for you to choose from as they only offer the top quality. Additionally, they only offer I Color or whiter and no stones with strong fluorescence. It is said that they don’t sell diamonds with the following inclusions: Clouds, Chips, Extra Facets, Knots, Laser Drill Holes, Surface Inclusions or Visible Black Inclusions. They take pride in their diamonds and want only the most luxurious. They boast that 99.96% of the world’s gem grade diamonds are rejected. They are very picky!
The Tiffany diamonds that made history
Not only does Tiffany produce many engagement quality diamonds, they also have crafted some extraordinary famous diamonds. One of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered is the Tiffany Yellow Diamond. Supposedly discovered in 1878 in the Kimberley mine in South Africa. Charles Tiffany purchased the stone as rough at 287.42cts. He then had Tiffany’s top gemologist, George Frederick Kunz, study the stone for over a year before having it cut in Paris. Kunz was not just known for being Tiffany’s gemologist, he also helped create and promote the metric carat as a weight standard for gems. Once cut into an Antique Cushion, the Tiffany Yellow was left at 128.54cts. Jean Schlumberger, a whimsical French jewelry designer, mounted the stone in his famous ‘Bird on a Rock’ setting. It was apparently only worn by two individuals, Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, a socialite from Rhode Island and Audrey Hepburn during a publicity photo for Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
To conclude…
Taking into consideration that their diamonds are ethically sourced; that they have their own laboratory and popularity does that make a Tiffany diamond worth it? For some, yes. The fact that you are getting only a top cut diamond is very important to many people. If you are looking for the top of the top, Tiffany will have it. Can you find these diamonds elsewhere for cheaper? Likely, yes. There any many ethically sourced, high quality diamonds out there. They don’t come with the prestige of a Tiffany diamond, but when it comes to pure diamond value, they are likely the same. Additionally, when it comes to re-selling your diamond down the road, many people would prefer a GIA certificate to a Tiffany Certificate. Tiffany does boast that they grade their diamonds better than GIA, but the fact is, GIA has the highest reputation when it comes to diamond gemological reporting.
When purchasing a diamond, it is important to understand what you want to get out of it, and if quality diamonds and craftsmanship is part of it.
