Five Top Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Designers
Tiffany & Co.

Five Top Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Designers

Read on to discover the top five Tiffany & Co. jewelry designers who shaped the legacy of the brand.
Read on to discover the top five Tiffany & Co. jewelry designers who shaped the legacy of the brand.

Brief History of Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and J.B. Young. Originally named Tiffany & Young, the brand has become an iconic American jeweler known for its elegance and craftsmanship. Initially a “fancy goods” store, Tiffany & Co. introduced innovations such as the first direct mail catalog in 1845, the Blue Book Collection. In 1853, Charles Tiffany took full control, renaming it Tiffany & Co. and establishing its reputation in diamond jewelry, earning the title “King of Diamonds.” The brand introduced the famous Tiffany Setting in 1886, revolutionizing engagement rings. In the 1940s, Tiffany Blue, the signature robin’s egg color, was introduced and proceeded to be trademarked in 1998. Its flagship store, opened on Fifth Avenue in 1940, gained cultural prominence through the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In 2021, Tiffany & Co. was acquired by LVMH for $15.8 billion, further cementing its legacy as a global luxury powerhouse.

Throughout its legacy, Tiffany & Co. has collaborated with renowned designers like Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, and more. Read on to discover the top five Tiffany & Co. Jewelry designers.

1. Paulding Farnham

Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. Gold, Enamel and Diamond Orchid Brooch

Paulding Farnham was Tiffany & Co.'s leading jewelry designer in the late 19th century, joining the brand in 1885 under the mentorship of Edward Moore. Recognizing Farnham's exceptional talent, Moore entrusted him with designing jewelry for the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, where his enameled and bejeweled orchid creations earned widespread praise and helped Tiffany & Co. secure an unprecedented six gold medals. Influenced by Native American pottery and European styles, Farnham's work was praised for its realism and craftsmanship.

Later, at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, Farnham collaborated with gemologist George Frederick Kunz and displayed an outstanding iris brooch set with newly-discovered Montana sapphires, leading Tiffany & Co. to win the Grand Prize. Despite his achievements, Farnham left the company in 1908 following creative differences with Louis Comfort Tiffany and spent his later years sculpting and painting in Mill Valley, California. Today, his floral designs for Tiffany & Co. remain highly collectible and continue to captivate enthusiasts. In 2013, Sotheby's sold a Paulding Farnham Tiffany & Co. gold, enamel and diamond orchid brooch for $173,000.

2. Louis Comfort Tiffany

Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Co. Gold, Opal and Enamel Brooch

The next designer on our list is Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of Tiffany & Co. founder Charles Lewis Tiffany. Louis Comfort is best known for his work with stained glass, creating iconic stained glass windows, lamps, mosaics, and ceramics. In 1902, he launched the Tiffany Art Jewelry department and introduced a series of spectacular art jewels at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. These Tiffany & Co. pieces, crafted using unconventional gems and enamels, were unique in their sculptural nature. Louis Comfort was inspired by the Art Nouveau movement and his jewelry designs often featured organic motifs like florals and insects.

In 2017, Sotheby's sold a Comfort designed Tiffany & Co. Brooch for $35,000. The brooch, from 1905, has a oval-shaped cabochon opal with within openwork foliate surrounds, flanked by two smaller cabochon opals, decorated with leaves applied with translucent green enamel. Tiffany’s creations combined exceptional craftsmanship with his passion for color and nature. His legacy as a pioneering designer endures, with his masterpieces continuing to captivate and inspire worldwide.

3. Jean Schlumberger

Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Citrine, Ruby and Diamond 'Bird on a Rock' Brooch

Jean Schlumberger is celebrated for his imaginative and nature-inspired creations for Tiffany & Co. Born in 1907 in Alsace, France, he initially gained recognition designing for Elsa Schiaparelli before joining Tiffany in 1956 as Vice President. Schlumberger’s iconic designs, such as the Bird on a Rock brooch, showcase his use of vibrant gemstones and intricate goldwork. In September 2022, Sotheby's sold a Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Citrine, Ruby and Diamond 'Bird on a Rock' Brooch for 44,100 USD.

Schlumberger paillonné enamel bangles are one of his signature designs, made using a 19th-century artform that involves layering enamel over 18k yellow gold. Translucent colored enamel is fired multiple times on fine sheets of gold foil resulting in rich hues with extraordinary color depth. Schlumberger paillonné enamel bangles were punctuated with gold and colored gemstones and remain iconic today. Sotheby's regularly sells Schlumberger Tiffany enamel bracelets at auction and marketplace. Jackie Kennedy Onassis was just one of many style icons to wear the Schlumberger enamel bangles.

Schlumberger revived the art of enameling and created jewelry that reflected his love for flora, fauna, and textiles. His work earned numerous awards, including the Fashion Critics' Coty Award and the French National Order of Merit. Today, Schlumberger’s designs remain highly coveted and continue to influence the world of high jewelry.

Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, 'Paillonné' Enamel and Diamond Bangle-Bracelet

4. Elsa Peretti

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff

In 1974, Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany & Co. and revolutionized jewelry design, elevating sterling silver to luxury status with her debut collection. At a time when silver was considered unsuitable for fine jewelry, Elsa Peretti boldly embraced it in her collections. She believed jewelry should be practical—comfortable enough to sleep in and free from the constraints of formality. Before her partnership with Tiffany & Co., the brand had not sold silver jewelry since the Great Depression.

Peretti's nature-inspired designs became iconic, including the Diamonds by the Yard, Open Heart, Bean and celebrated Bone Cuffs collection. The Bone Cuff's design was inspired by religious relics Peretti encountered in childhood. Its design is so anatomically precise that it must be purchased to fit either the left or right wrist. This bracelet remains fashionable as ever and is an enduring modern classic. In 2023, Sotheby's sold a pair of Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff Bangles for 55,000 EUR.

5. Paloma Picasso

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Colored Stone and Diamond Necklace and Earclips

Paloma Picasso, daughter of artists Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot, has been a creative from an early age. She joined Tiffany & Co. in 1979, initially designing a table setting for an exhibition, which led to an exclusive collaboration and then the launch of her iconic jewelry collection, Paloma’s Graffiti. Inspired by New York street art, she transformed graffiti into high-end jewelry crafted from precious materials.

In the 1980s, Paloma introduced vibrant, often overlooked stones into her designs. In 2015, Sotheby's sold a one of a kind 18 Karat Gold, Platinum, Colored Stone and Diamond Necklace and Earclips for $478,000. The necklace was created in 1985 to celebrate Picasso's 5th anniversary with Tiffany and Co. The Paloma Picasso Tiffany necklace incorporated her "X" motif and epitomized 1980s glamour with multicolored gemstones and diamonds. The Tiffany & Co. necklace is made of variously-cut tanzanites, rubellites, peridots, tourmalines and topazes, accented by x-shaped motifs set with round diamonds weighing approximately 18.30 carats. Paloma's designs for Tiffany & Co. still thrive 35 years later with her pieces still available from collections including Olive Leaf designs, Melody bangles and Graffiti designs.

Advantages to Buying Tiffany & Co. on the Secondary Market

1. Access

Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry from its long established global network of sellers. As a leading marketplace, Sotheby's offers pristine Tiffany & Co. pieces in the most coveted designs and gemstones. Our jewelry specialists are dedicated to sourcing the most desirable Tiffany & Co. pieces from collectors around the world.

2. Flexibility

Sotheby’s offers multiple ways to purchase Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including online and in person at our locations in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris, and London. We also provide a concierge service to help source specific Tiffany & Co. pieces not available online.

3. Value

While Tiffany & Co. boutiques offer their iconic jewelry collections, finding specific designs, gemstones, or styles can sometimes be a challenge due to limited availability. Sotheby’s provides a curated selection of Tiffany & Co. pieces, including rare and sought-after designs, available for purchase without the need to visit a physical store. Shopping with Sotheby’s allows you to discover exceptional Tiffany jewelry, from vintage masterpieces to contemporary classics, all in one place. Whether you're searching for a timeless diamond engagement ring or a unique statement piece, Sotheby’s offers a seamless and efficient way to acquire the perfect Tiffany treasure, saving you time while ensuring authenticity and quality.

4. Discovery

One of the greatest advantages of shopping in a global luxury marketplace is the chance to discover unique, one-of-a-kind Tiffany & Co. pieces and rare, limited-edition jewels no longer available at Tiffany & Co. stores. Our curated selection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry is continuously refreshed, ensuring that you’ll always find something new and exclusive.

Buy or Sell Tiffany & Co. At Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Tiffany & Co. pieces available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view Tiffany & Co. jewelry, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Tiffany & Co. jewelry from its global supplier network. Prices for Tiffany & Co. jewels begin at around $3,000, with prices rising substantially for highly coveted designs, such as diamond engagement rings, which can surpass $100,000.

Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.

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