How Tiffany & Co. Changed the Diamond Industry

You’ve probably heard of Tiffany diamonds. Tiffany & Co. is known for their jewelry, and especially known for their diamonds and their diamond engagement rings. From very early in their one-hundred seventy-five year history, Tiffany has been associated with diamonds. In fact, many call Charles Lewis Tiffany the “King” of diamonds. Tiffany & Co. trained master gemologists to learn not only how to cut diamonds to maximize the gem quality but also how to display the diamonds on a piece of jewelry in a way that showcases the beauty best.

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Standards

Tiffany’s work with gemological standards were so exacting that when the Gemological Institute of America introduced their grading system, it was a simplified version of Tiffany’s. It was a Tiffany & Co. gemologist who pushed for the adoption of the metric carat in the United States to ensure everyone referred to the same thing when selling diamonds. When it comes to judging and communicating quality, there is no company that has done more than Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. Engagement Rings

Perhaps we’re a bit biased at Bert Levi Family Jewelers but to us, one of the most important things Tiffany & Co did for the diamond industry was the creation of the Tiffany setting in the late 1800s. While previous designs had showcased the art of working with precious metals, making the diamond more of a decoration that the main attraction, the Tiffany setting proudly displayed the diamond in such a way that the whole stone could be seen and it could capture the light in the most favorable way.

One hundred and seventy-five years might not seem like much time when compared to the eons it takes to make a diamond deep within the Earth but there’s no company or organization more responsible for the diamond industry as we know it today.