Tiffany Blue is a signature color that has become synonymous with luxury jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. The iconic robin’s egg blue hue was made famous by the company’s jewelry boxes and shopping bags. But what is the history and meaning behind this famous color?
The Origins of Tiffany Blue
The specific shade of light blue used by Tiffany & Co. was established in 1837, when the company (originally called Tiffany, Young and Ellis) was founded in New York City by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young.
Legend has it that the color was chosen by Charles Tiffany himself after he saw the striking blue of the Mediterranean Sea during a trip to Europe. Others claim the color was inspired by the neoclassical paintings of French artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres that decorated Tiffany’s first New York City store.
Whatever its origins, Tiffany Blue was used on the cover of the company’s first Blue Book catalogue, which was published in 1845. In the late 1860s, when the company began using colorful paper boxes and bags, Tiffany Blue became its signature packaging color.
Trademarking Tiffany Blue
While the turquoise-like color had long been associated with the Tiffany brand, it wasn’t until 1998 that Tiffany & Co. officially trademarked the precise custom color as “Rouge de France Pantone® 1837.” This refers to the company’s founding year and the specific Pantone Matching System (PMS) number that identifies the Tiffany Blue shade.
The trademark protects the use of the signature color on packaging and advertisements, ensuring that only Tiffany & Co. can employ that exact hue for jewelry boxes, bags, catalogs, signs, and other promotional materials. However, the trademark does not prevent other companies from using similar hues of light or robin’s egg blue.
The Meaning Behind Tiffany Blue
As a distinctive brand trademark, Tiffany Blue represents the luxury, refinement, history, and prestige of Tiffany & Co. jewels and products. The soothing, elegant shade evokes a sense of style, sophistication, and exclusivity.
Some meanings and associations connected to Tiffany Blue include:
– Rarity – In the 19th century, the clear robin’s egg shade required expensive dyes to achieve and could only be produced in small batches. This made the color a status symbol that connoted exclusivity.
– Quality – The hue signals that an item is authentic and high quality, reassuring customers that they are purchasing original Tiffany & Co. merchandise.
– Consistency – The signature shade has been used by the brand for over 180 years, representing a long legacy of outstanding craftsmanship and aesthetic vision.
– Romance – Light blue has sentimental connotations of spring skies, tranquility, and rebirth. The Tiffany Blue box is closely associated with marriage proposals and engagements.
– Femininity – Softer shades of blue have delicate, feminine associations. Tiffany Blue was brought to the forefront by the brand’s elegant jewelry designs for women.
– New York – As a company born in New York City, the color is a proud expression of Tiffany’s connection to its historic origins and American heritage.
Tiffany Blue in Popular Culture
As an instantly recognizable brand icon, Tiffany Blue has made its way into films, music, literature, and television:
– Audrey Hepburn – In the iconic 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hepburn cemented the brand’s signature box as a classic symbol of style and dreamy aspiration.
– The Tiffany Diamond – One of the world’s largest and finest yellow diamonds was unearthed in 1877 and acquired by Charles Tiffany. The legendary 128.54 carat gem became famous as the Tiffany Diamond.
– “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – This song by Deep Blue Something from 1995 namechecks the store and Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly.
– Sweet Home Alabama – In this 2002 country song, there is a reference to getting a “Tiffany’s diamond ring.”
– Beyoncé – The 2006 music video for Beyoncé’s song Upgrade U shows the artist dancing with a Tiffany Blue box.
– The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous 1925 novel references the Tiffany catalog and brand as symbols of 1920s luxury.
Tiffany Blue in Fashion
Beyond jewelry and accessories, Tiffany Blue has been a popular accent color in fashion and interior design:
| Year | Notable Uses of Tiffany Blue |
|---|---|
| 1961 | Givenchy gown in Tiffany Blue worn by Audrey Hepburn to the Academy Awards after starring in Breakfast at Tiffany’s |
| 1974 | Halston gown in pale blue worn by Elizabeth Taylor to the Oscars after the actress married Richard Burton for the second time |
| 1998 | Light blue Prada dress worn by Gwyneth Paltrow to the Academy Awards when she won Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love |
| 2006 | Blue Valentino Couture dress with matching gloves at the Oscars won by Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line |
| 2011 | Pale blue J. Mendel gown worn by Amy Adams at the Academy Awards when she was nominated for The Fighter |
| 2014 | Gucci Première gown in Tiffany Blue worn by Lupita Nyong’o at the Oscars when she won Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave |
Light or robin’s egg blue dresses on the red carpet often draw comparisons to “Tiffany Blue” because of the brand’s iconic association with the color in fashion and jewelry.
Tiffany Blue in Interior Design
The light blue shade has also made its way into home decor and architecture:
| Examples | Description |
|---|---|
| Tiffany Blue Wedding Theme | Brides and event planners using Tiffany Blue tablecloths, flowers, and accents for weddings and engagements |
| Robin’s Egg Blue Rooms | Living spaces, bedrooms, nurseries painted in light blue hues reminiscent of Tiffany Blue boxes |
| Tiffany Blue Front Doors | Homes with light blue front doors in a nod to the signature packaging color |
| Tiffany & Co. Café Blue | In Tiffany’s New York City Fifth Avenue flagship store is the Tiffany Blue Box Café with décor in shades of robin’s egg blue |
| Tiffany & Co. Foundation Biennial | U.S. architectural competition launched in 2000 where winning university designs are exhibited in a Tiffany Blue structure |
From small decorative accents to entire rooms, the signature color brings elegance and style to home design.
Conclusion
For over 180 years, the specific custom shade known as Tiffany Blue has been emblematic of the storied Tiffany & Co. brand. Trademarked in 1998 for marketing materials, the robin’s egg blue hue connotes luxury, exclusivity, and classic American style. From the world of jewelry and fashion to popular culture and interior design, Tiffany Blue remains a recognizable status symbol of exquisite taste. The light blue will forever be linked to the Tiffany’s legacy of expert craftsmanship and timeless beauty.
