Tiffany Blue is a specific light blue color that was made famous by Tiffany & Co. jewelry. The iconic robin’s egg blue is a signature color for the luxury brand. If you want to recreate the Tiffany Blue color for a DIY project or to match existing Tiffany products, you’ll need to mix a few different colors of paint or dye. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly what colors and ratios you need to make Tiffany’s famous blue hue.
Understanding Tiffany Blue
So what makes Tiffany Blue special and different from other shades of light blue? Here are the key characteristics of Tiffany Blue:
– It’s a light, robin’s egg blue that has a hint of green.
– The hue is cool and soothing rather than bright.
– It’s lighter and brighter than a traditional navy blue.
– There’s a subtle crispness and clarity to the color.
Tiffany Blue first came into use in 1845, when Charles Lewis Tiffany opened Tiffany & Co. in New York. The distinctive color was used on the cover of the Tiffany Blue Book, mailed to customers to showcase the company’s jewelry collections.
Over time, Tiffany Blue became an iconic and coveted color associated with luxury, exclusivity, and of course, those little Tiffany boxes! The exact shade is a registered trademark color of Tiffany & Co.
Key Factors for Mixing Tiffany Blue
To mix up Tiffany Blue yourself, there are a few key factors you need to keep in mind:
– What medium are you using – paint, dye, frosting, etc.? The mixing process can vary.
– The specific hue – it should be a light, cool blue with a hint of green.
– The brightness/saturation – Tiffany Blue is vivid but not overly bold.
– Adding white and green to soften the blue and get the right tones.
– The right blue base color – you want one that leans a bit greenish.
– Testing batches and adjusting as needed to match Tiffany Blue. Getting the color right requires a bit of trial and error.
Now let’s look at some specific ways to recreate Tiffany Blue for different mediums and purposes.
Making Tiffany Blue Paint
When working with paint, you’ll need to mix together blue, white, and green to create the Tiffany Blue color. Here are some recommended color mixes:
With acrylic paint:
– 1 part cyan blue
– 1 part aqua blue
– 4 parts white
– A small drop of green paint
Acrylic allows easily mixing your own custom colors. Be sure to use an acrylic base of high quality so the colors will be vivid. Test your mixed paint on a spare canvas or piece of cardboard before applying it to your main project.
With enamel/model paint:
– Humbrol 27ml No.96 Light Blue
– Revell Aqua 36172 Blue
– Testors 1135 Light Blue
These pre-mixed model paint colors are very close matches to genuine Tiffany Blue. Testors and Revell paints are most vibrant. Shake before use and apply 2-3 thin coats for best coverage.
With spray paint:
– Krylon Sea Glass
– Rust-Oleum Frosted Glass
– Krylon Aqua
Lightly spray paint coats of these blue-green hues to achieve a Tiffany Blue look. Avoid using a navy spray paint base. Test your spray paint option on cardboard before the actual project.
Dyeing Fabric Tiffany Blue
To dye clothing, tablecloths, or other fabric Tiffany Blue, you’ll need:
– White, light grey or pastel yellow fabric
– Blue and green fabric dye
– Vinegar to help set the dye
Here is a good dye mixture to start with:
– 1 packet or 1 tsp blue dye
– 1/4 tsp green dye
– 1 cup warm water
– 1/2 cup white vinegar
Submerge your fabric in the dye bath for 30 minutes up to an hour. Remove and rinse well. The fabric may need a second soaking to get the ideal robin’s egg tint. Add more green dye if needed for a slightly greener cast. Let the fabric air dry fully before using.
Tiffany Blue Frosting
To decorate cakes or cupcakes with the iconic Tiffany Blue color, you’ll need to tint buttercream frosting. Here is a simple buttercream recipe and how to tint it:
Buttercream Recipe:
– 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
– 3 cups powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
Cream butter until smooth then beat in powdered sugar a bit at a time. Add vanilla and milk/cream for desired consistency.
Tiffany Blue Tint:
– Blue and green gel food coloring
– Toothpick for mixing in color
Add a small amount of blue coloring and a tiny bit of green. Mix thoroughly. Keep adding more dye slowly until you achieve the perfect Tiffany robin’s egg blue color.
Nail Polish in Tiffany Blue
What woman wouldn’t love to have nails painted in the iconic Tiffany Blue? You can make your own Tiffany & Co. inspired nail polish at home with:
– Clear nail polish
– Blue nail polish (a light baby blue shade)
– Green polish or acrylic paint
– Toothpick for mixing
Try starting with a 2:1 ratio of blue to green polish. Add several drops of blue polish to clear nail polish. Next add in 1 drop of green and mix well. Test on one nail. Keep adjusting with more green for a slight teal tint.
Once you achieve the ideal Tiffany Blue, apply 2-3 thin coats on clean nails and finish with a clear top coat for shine.
Tiffany Blue in Resin
For resin art and jewelry pieces, you can cast that recognizable robin’s egg hue by mixing:
– Clear resin (epoxy or UV resin)
– Blue resin pigment
– Green resin pigment
– Popsicle stick or toothpick for mixing
Mix the clear resin as directed by manufacturer. Then add a few drops of blue pigment and half a drop or less of green. Stir thoroughly in a disposable cup before pouring into your resin mold.
Let resin cure fully. Sand and polish your finished piece to a glossy sheen to really showcase the Tiffany Blue color.
Conclusion
Tiffany Blue is a special, trademarked color that can add elegance and style to any project. With the right mix of blue, green, and white pigments or dyes, you can recreate this light robin’s egg blue at home. Test batches of paint, frosting, nail polish, fabric dye, or colored resin to achieve the most accurate version of Tiffany’s signature hue. Be patient and have fun experimenting with different tints. soon you’ll be mastering this timeless cool blue color.
| Medium | Blue | Green | White/Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic paint | Cyan blueAqua blue | Green paint | White paint |
| Fabric dye | Blue dye | Green dye | Vinegar |
| Buttercream | Blue gel coloring | Green gel coloring | Powdered sugarVanilla |
| Nail polish | Blue polish | Green polish | Clear polish |
| Resin | Blue pigment | Green pigment | Clear resin |
