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Legendary Jewelry | Audrey Hepburn and the Iconic Tiffany Yellow Diamond | FIORESE JEWELRY
In 1961, the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s premiered in the United States, showcasing Audrey Hepburn’s exquisite performance and drawing the spotlight to a dazzling gem—the legendary Tiffany Diamond.
During the filming and promotion of the movie, Hepburn wore a stunning ribbon rosette necklace featuring the iconic yellow diamond, a piece synonymous with Tiffany & Co.’s legacy. This remarkable gem, The Tiffany Diamond, left an indelible mark on cinema history, forever linked with Hepburn’s elegance and the timeless allure of Tiffany & Co.
The Distinctive Characteristics of Yellow Diamonds
Diamonds, the hardest natural material and a gemstone composed solely of carbon (C), are renowned for their adamantine luster and high refractive index, earning their title as the “king of gemstones.” The formation of diamonds is a miraculous process, requiring billions of years under extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s crust to produce these unparalleled treasures.
The Rarity of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds, though relatively common within the family of colored diamonds, remain exceptionally rare. Their formation requires unique geological conditions, resulting in a production rate that is staggeringly low. It is estimated that only one natural diamond exists per million parts of rock, and yellow diamonds account for merely 0.1% of this small fraction. Such scarcity underscores their exceptional value.
The Unique Color of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds derive their vibrant hue from the substitution of nitrogen atoms for some of the carbon atoms in their crystal structure during formation. This alteration absorbs blue-violet light, resulting in a captivating yellow coloration. However, yellow diamonds are far from uniform in tone. Variations in nitrogen concentration and distribution create an array of shades, from faint yellow to vivid yellow, fancy yellow, intense yellow, deep yellow, and dark yellow. Each shade lends a unique charm, making every yellow diamond a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Due to their distinct hues and limited supply, yellow diamonds are extraordinarily valuable, celebrated for their collectability and cultural significance. Across the world, yellow diamonds symbolize power, wealth, and prestige. From Empress Joséphine to the Duchess of Windsor, from Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe, these legendary figures have all shared a special connection with yellow diamonds, underscoring their enduring appeal as symbols of wealth, history, and cultural heritage.
The Tiffany Diamond: A Masterpiece of the Ages
In 1877, at the Kimberly Mine in South Africa—one of the world’s top ten diamond-producing regions—a rough diamond weighing approximately 287.42 carats was discovered.
In 1878, Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co., purchased this extraordinary gem for $18,000. The following year, it was sent to Paris, where Tiffany’s chief gemologist, Dr. George Kunz, oversaw its meticulous cutting. From the rough, multiple stones were cut, the largest being a 128.54-carat cushion-cut diamond known as The Tiffany Diamond. This gem became one of the largest and finest yellow diamonds ever discovered.
An Icon of Brilliance
The 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, with its radiant canary-yellow hue, measures approximately 28.5mm by 27mm by 22.22mm and features 82 facets—24 more than the traditional brilliant cut. This unique facet arrangement enhances its internal fire, creating an effect of incandescent brilliance. Its unparalleled craftsmanship and exceptional color firmly established Tiffany & Co.’s preeminence in the jewelry world, earning Charles Lewis Tiffany the title of "The King of Diamonds."
This magnificent gem became the crown jewel of Tiffany & Co., embodying the brand’s legacy of excellence. Every appearance of the Tiffany Diamond has been a visual feast, and every instance of it being worn has redefined the pinnacle of elegance.
The Five Transformations of the Tiffany Diamond
Over its illustrious history, the Tiffany Diamond has been reimagined and set into five different designs. Each transformation has imbued the diamond with new life and meaning, allowing it to shine uniquely in different eras.
1. The Debut (1957)
The Tiffany Diamond made its first public appearance at a charity ball sponsored by Tiffany & Co. to raise funds for 17th- and 18th-century architectural restoration. At this event, Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, wife of U.S. diplomat Edwin Sheldon Whitehouse, adorned the diamond. It was set in a necklace of 64 white diamonds, with 20 additional diamonds encircling the yellow diamond, marking its dazzling debut.
2. Audrey Hepburn and the Ribbon Rosette Necklace (1960s)
In the 1960s, the Tiffany Diamond underwent a striking redesign by legendary artist and jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger. He crafted a ribbon rosette necklace featuring the diamond, famously worn by Audrey Hepburn during the promotional photoshoots for Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This unforgettable pairing of Hepburn’s elegance and the diamond’s brilliance created a timeless fashion icon that continues to inspire.
3. The Bird on a Rock (1995)
Schlumberger transformed the Tiffany Diamond into the centerpiece of his iconic "Bird on a Rock" brooch for a retrospective exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. This whimsical design showcased Schlumberger’s unparalleled creativity and his deep appreciation for the natural world.
4. The Platinum Necklace (2012)
In celebration of Tiffany & Co.’s 175th anniversary, the diamond was reset into a luxurious platinum necklace adorned with 481 diamonds. The intricate openwork design of the necklace accentuated the Tiffany Diamond’s brilliance, serving as both a tribute to the brand’s legacy and a testament to the diamond’s timeless allure.
5. The Five Birds Design (2022)
To commemorate the reopening of Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the Tiffany Diamond was once again reimagined. This time, it was set into a design featuring five birds encircling the gem, symbolizing Tiffany’s spirit of innovation and its aspirations for the future.
A Legendary Symbol of Beauty and Culture
Beyond its magnificent design and historical significance, the Tiffany Diamond has graced exhibitions, including a special loan to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, where it was hailed as the largest diamond ever displayed in the United States.
Over the years, this gem has transcended the world of fine jewelry, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture, cinema, and art. Every appearance has ignited the imagination, reinforcing its status as a timeless fashion icon. Its story, like a living epic, chronicles the passage of time and the evolution of culture.
Today, the Tiffany Diamond resides in Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue, drawing admirers from around the globe. It is not just a symbol of Tiffany’s legacy but a shared dream for jewelry enthusiasts worldwide. As its story continues to be told, the Tiffany Diamond’s brilliance remains undiminished, forever illuminating the history of jewelry and inspiring generations to come.
