Tiffany Blue is a trademarked shade of robin egg blue associated with Tiffany & Co., the luxury jewelry retailer. The iconic color has been used on Tiffany’s boxes and bags for over a century. But what colors exactly make up the distinctive Tiffany Blue hue?
The specific formula for mixing Tiffany Blue has been a closely guarded trade secret for many years. However, through color analysis and experimentation, experts have been able to break down the likely combination of colors used to produce this signature shade.
The Origins of Tiffany Blue
The distinctive Tiffany Blue shade was established in 1845, when Charles Lewis Tiffany opened his first jewelry store in New York City. Tiffany wanted the color of his store’s boxes and bags to match the hue of the building’s exterior.
The building, located at 259 Broadway in Manhattan, had been constructed in 1845. Its granite facade featured glass windows with iron guard rails that were painted in a color known as “air of robin’s egg.” This aqua blue inspired the Tiffany Blue we know today.
Key Characteristics of Tiffany Blue
Over the years, Tiffany Blue has become brighter and more saturated than the original “air of robin’s egg” shade. But it retains some key defining characteristics:
– Bright, vivid robin egg blue tone
– Slightly desaturated from a pure cyan
– More green-blue than pure blue
– High brightness and lightness
Modern Tiffany Blue is associated with the following color codes:
| Color Model | Color Code |
|---|---|
| HEX | #0ABAB5 |
| RGB | R: 10, G: 186, B: 181 |
| CMYK | C: 94%, M: 0%, Y: 6%, K: 0% |
| Pantone | Pantone 1837 |
As these specifications indicate, Tiffany Blue is characterized by high green and blue levels, very low amounts of red, and low black.
Achieving the Tiffany Blue Color
While the exact formula is a secret, color experts have managed to break down the likely combination of colors required to produce an accurate Tiffany Blue.
Start with a Blue-Green Base
At its core, Tiffany Blue is a blue-green cyan tone. To recreate it, start by mixing a vivid cyan or aqua acrylic paint:
| Color | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Cyan acrylic paint | 75% |
Adding a touch of green acrylic paint brings in more green-blue character:
| Color | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Cyan acrylic paint | 70% |
| Green acrylic paint | 5% |
Tone it Down with White
While vivid, Tiffany Blue also has a softened, desaturated quality. Adding white acrylic paint creates this effect by lightening and toning down the hue:
| Color | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Cyan acrylic paint | 70% |
| Green acrylic paint | 5% |
| White acrylic paint | 25% |
The white paint brings in crucial brightness while cutting intensity. Adjust the ratio based on how muted or vivid you want the end hue.
Consider Adding a Touch of Red
Some color recreations use a small amount of red paint to add subtle warmth:
| Color | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Cyan acrylic paint | 68% |
| Green acrylic paint | 5% |
| White acrylic paint | 25% |
| Red acrylic paint | 2% |
A touch of red brings Tiffany Blue slightly closer to a natural robin egg shade. But it isn’t essential for an accurate mix.
Consider Glazing Medium
For a smoother, more professional finish similar to lacquered boxes, mix the acrylic paints with an acrylic glazing medium. This enhances flow and transparency.
Use Precise Mixing Techniques
Creating an exact color match requires careful paint mixing techniques:
– Use soft, flat brushes to thoroughly incorporate and blend the acrylic colors together.
– Mix acrylics in clean non-absorbent palette using a palette knife.
– Work in controlled layers for transparency.
– Allow to fully dry between layers to see true color.
Taking the time to properly blend and build up the paints results in a flawless, smooth Tiffany Blue finish.
Achieving Tiffany Blue in Other Media
The concepts used for mixing acrylic paint can be applied to producing Tiffany Blue across different color mediums:
Digital Design
Use RGB or HEX codes to input the Tiffany Blue color digitally in design programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Textiles
Dye fabric to achieve Tiffany Blue using turquoise, cyan, and white fabric dyes, controlling intensity with saturation levels.
Cosmetics
Recreate as a nail polish by blending bold robin egg blue with white polish and a touch of green for added complexity.
Ceramics
Tint clear glazes with cyan, green, white, and red ceramic stains and use controlled layering to build up the Tiffany Blue color.
Printing
Use the CMYK code to match the Pantone color on printed materials on glossy stock for maximum brilliance.
Alternative Blues in the Tiffany Color Family
While Tiffany Blue has an exact specification, the retailer uses a range of robin egg inspired shades across its products and marketing. Some other tones in the same color family include:
Ice Blue
A paler, cooler version of Tiffany Blue. Remove the green and red from the mix and increase the white paint ratio.
Shadow Blue
A darker teal variation. Decrease the white paint and increase the ratio of cyan and green.
Aqua Blue
Brighter and slightly more green-tinged. Maintain the white level but boost green paint.
Blue Green
More emphasis on blue over green. Reduce green paint and increase cyan ratios.
Using Tiffany Blue in Design
When incorporating Tiffany Blue into designs, keep these tips in mind:
– Use as an accent color to provide bold contrast against white or neutral backgrounds.
– Pair with silver or gold metals and white diamond shapes to reference Tiffany & Co. aesthetics.
– Incorporate blue-green and white ceramic, glass or marble textures and materials.
– Use in packaging, pattern designs, logos, and any stylish or luxury focused designs.
– Tiffany Blue evokes classic elegance, refined quality, exclusivity, and timeless appeal.
Conclusion
The exact formula may still be a mystery, but designers can recreate the distinctive Tiffany Blue color through carefully mixing and layering cyan, green, white and red acrylic paints. This iconic robin egg blue conveys luxury, quality and sophistication, and can be adapted across any medium. With precise color mixing techniques and an eye for subtlety, the signature Tiffany style can be simulated in a variety of creative projects and applications.