Luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co. is globally renowned for its trailblazing roster of House Ambassadors and unparalleled legacy. From the famous Tiffany Blue that has become emblematic of universal romance to a star-studded history—the opulent atelier has carved a niche of its own in contemporary times. And this time has been no exception.
Starring the famed music duo Beyonce and Jay-Z for the first time together as a couple in a campaign, Tiffany & Co. has striked again. Titled ‘About Love,’ the highlight of the campaign that grabbed our attention was the reappearance of the historic Tiffany Yellow Diamond. This partnership made Beyonce the first Black woman, and only the fourth person to wear the iconic gem. Wondering what’s so exceptional about it?
The iconic Tiffany Yellow Diamond was first discovered 1877 in the Kimberley mine in South Africa, weighing 287.42 carats in the rough. The stone was acquired by New York-based jeweller Charles Lewis Tiffany, who passed it on to his gemologist Dr George Frederick Kunz, who studied the gem for a year before cutting it in Paris. He reduced the stone to 128.54 carats with 82 facets, which was 24 more than a traditional round diamond, in order to maximise its brilliance. Gradually, he added more facets to the diamonds to make it 90. The process led to the creation of the largest diamond ever that sparkled as if lit by an inner flame.
In The Spotlight
Ever since its discovery, the Tiffany Yellow Diamond has only been worn by four women throughout history. The diamond has travelled the world as a centerpiece of numerous exhibitions, but always returned home at the Tiffany flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. In 1957, socialite Mrs. E. Sheldon Whitehouse became the first woman to wear the Tiffany Diamond.
Subsequently in 1961, the diamond was reimagined and re-set into Jean Schlumberger’s Ribbon Rosette necklace. This new version was worn by Audrey Hepburn in publicity photos for her critically acclaimed film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Flash forward to the 91st annual Academy Awards in 2019, pop musician Lady Gaga became the third woman to wear the celebrated gem.
And now, Beyonce has made history to become the first Black woman and also the fourth woman in over a century to wear the Tiffany Diamond.
So, who’s neck will the diamond grace next? According to speculations, American singer and rapper Nicki Minaj will wear the jewel at the 2022 Grammy Awards. And here’s a fact—no matter where the diamond goes and who’s decolletage it highlights, the truth is, each chapter is worth it.
Photographs: Instagram, Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
