You may not recognise the Tiffany setting by name. But, according to Forbes, Tiffany & Co.’s round brilliant solitaire is the most popular engagement ring in the world. First created by diehard romantic Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1886, “it was a visionary, innovative design compared to the then traditionally set bezel, that highlighted rather than overwhelmed the sparkle and fire of a brilliant-cut diamond.”, as Design Director Francesca Amfitheatrof told Female Brides.
This story was originally published in the Female Brides Lookbook Issue 13.
The mount is simple and sophisticated. Six prongs, equally spaced around a diamond’s circumference to mimic the symmetry of its shape, securely hold it around its girdle (the thickest portion of the stone), while elevating it above a plain platinum band.
Francesca adds,”Tiffany & Co. understands love more than any other brand. With men and women even more romantic now, we can sense a real yearning for emotions as well as experiences. I really believe that we need love more than ever today. It’s the glue to everything!”
When it comes to selecting the perfect diamond for the perfect ring, Tiffany engagement rings reflect the highest jewellery standards in the world.
“Every stone for the Tiffany setting goes through an exceptionally high standard of grading that surpasses those established by the rest of the industry,” says Paul Kong, manager of the brand’s grading laboratory in New York.
Other than assessing the four Cs, Tiffany & Co. also ensures the diamond has presence – something that impacts a diamond’s brilliance, scintillation and dispersion.
Senior Vice President – Diamonds and Gemstones, says” Our diamonds are the rarest of the rare; 99.96% per cent of all the diamonds in the world are not good enough to be of Tiffany quality.
We have a really specific set of benchmarks in terms of proportions, like how big the table (largest facet of the stone, comprising the flat surface on the top) should be, how high the crown (the portion of the diamond between its girdle and its table) should be, and how deep the pavilion (the cone-shaped lower part of the stone should be.”
While in New York, Female Brides contributing editor Steve met the artisans of the Tiffany & Co. Diamond academy. From the diamond cutter and polished to the master stone setter, who painstakingly crafts the six platinum prongs to hold a diamond, every member of the the Tiffany& Co. family is proud of their work.
“Everyone is an expert in his or her own right, and assumes complete responsibility for making sure the diamond and Tiffany Setting are as perfect as can be.”
Francesca says, “Our jewellers work day and night. There is a lot of work, care and attention. Everything is drawn and created by hand. There is a certain level of emotion that goes into it and I think the jewellery carries that emotion.”
Each ring also comes with a Tiffany Diamond certificate guaranteeing the stone’s grade for life, which is something Tiffany & Co. embraces with great pride.
Andy explains, “We are very proud of our diamonds – we’re especially proud of the sourcing and crafting at our own state-of-the-art laboratory.
We don’t rely on third-party labs. We want our customers to trust that what they’re getting is the very best. We stand behind our diamonds and that’s why they come with a lifetime warranty.”
