Tiffany Celebrates 175th Anniversary
Published at
Chris Weeks/WireImage(NEW YORK) — Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and have been for the past 175 years. Friday marks the 175th anniversary of Tiffany & Co., which opened its doors on Sept. 14, 1837 in New York’s lower Manhattan.
Originally a “stationery and fancy goods store” founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, its first day sales totaled just $4.98. Today, those who untie their white ribbon off the small Tiffany & Co. signature blue box know a special surprise waits inside.
Tiffany, known as the “King of Diamonds,” purchased one of the world’s largest and finest yellow diamonds, which was discovered in the Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa in 1877. The company’s icon — the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond — is on display on the Main Floor of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store. Audrey Hepburn wore the stone in publicity photographs for the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s and is only one of two women to ever wear the stunner. The other person was Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, who wore it at the 1957 Tiffany Ball held in Newport, R.I.
For its 175th anniversary, Tiffany had the gem set in a spectacular diamond and platinum necklace totaling over 120 carats and had the piece tour the world before landing back in its New York flagship location.
Tiffany is also releasing new collections for the company’s milestone.
Throughout the company’s history, celebrities and politicians that have worn the various designs include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the Vanderbilts, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Taylor. Franklin Roosevelt purchased a Tiffany engagement ring in 1904.
Tiffany & Co. operates approximately 250 stores in 22 countries with 88 stores in the United States.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio