Tiffany Blue is a specific shade of light blue, made famous by Tiffany & Co. jewelry. The iconic robin’s egg blue color has been used by the luxury brand for over 100 years on their boxes and bags. But what exactly is the CMYK formula for Tiffany Blue?
In printing and design, colors are often specified using the CMYK color model. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). By mixing various percentages of these four inks, you can reproduce a wide range of colors. So to reproduce Tiffany Blue accurately, we need the precise CMYK values.
In this article, we’ll look at the history behind Tiffany Blue, how the color became synonymous with the Tiffany brand, the official Pantone matching system (PMS) values, and the recommended CMYK formulas to use for Tiffany Blue. We’ll also compare some other similar blue shades.
History and Origins of Tiffany Blue
Tiffany Blue has been used by the world-famous jewelry company Tiffany & Co. since the late 19th century. Interestingly, the specific shade we recognize today was not the original color chosen by company founder Charles Lewis Tiffany.
In 1837, when Tiffany first opened his “fancy goods” store in New York City, he used a reddish-brown shade for his catalogs and packaging. This was switched in the 1870s to a teal blue known as “Hunter Green”.
It wasn’t until Tiffany hired a new design director in 1889 that we got the now-iconic Tiffany Blue. The new art director was instructed by Charles Tiffany to come up with a color that would emphasize the purity and brilliance of the diamonds they sold. The specific robin’s egg or forget-me-not blue shade was chosen to represent these qualities.
This new Tiffany Blue first appeared in the cover of their Blue Book jewelry catalog in Tiffany’s 1890s Reverie collection. From then on, Tiffany Blue boxes were sent around the world inside the company’s jewelry deliveries, making the color synonymous with the Tiffany brand.
Pantone Matching System (PMS) Values
While the exact origins of Tiffany Blue may never be known, the color has been decisively matched to specific Pantone standards.
Pantone is a proprietary color system that gives designers and manufacturers a universal way to specify and reproduce colors accurately. Each Pantone color has specific CMYK, RGB, and hex values associated with it.
For Tiffany Blue, the closest official Pantone Matching System (PMS) color is Pantone 1837. This was specially created by Pantone to match the Tiffany brand’s custom color. PMS 1837 enables the exact Tiffany Blue be reproduced consistently in any medium.
Here are the official color values for Pantone 1837 Tiffany Blue:
| CMYK: | C=100, M=0, Y=0, K=0 |
| RGB: | R=102, G=221, B=230 |
| Hex code: | #66DDED |
As you can see, the main ink component is 100% Cyan, with no Magenta or Yellow. This gives that pure sky blue hue. The lack of black also gives it the bright quality.
Best CMYK Values for Reproducing Tiffany Blue
While Pantone 1837 provides the definitive way to reproduce Tiffany Blue digitally or for non-printed items, you’ll need the CMYK values when actually printing or designing for print.
Here are some recommended CMYK formulations from designers and color experts for accurately reproducing Tiffany Blue in print:
| C=100, M=0, Y=0, K=0: | This converts directly from the Pantone 1837 values by removing any black. It gives you the brightest version of Tiffany Blue. |
| C=85, M=0, Y=10, K=0: | A slightly muted version, this adds a small amount of yellow to soften the color. |
| C=90, M=25, Y=0, K=0: | Bringing in some magenta here also tones down the brightness slightly. |
| C=85, M=5, Y=10, K=0: | Another variation that adds small amounts of both magenta and yellow to create a Tiffany Blue that prints well. |
The most vibrant reproduction uses 100% cyan. But printers and paper stock can have an effect, so adding 5-10% yellow and magenta may give you a more realistic printed outcome.
Always check your proofs and printed samples. Adjust the percentages until you have a Tiffany Blue that accurately conveys the famous brand color.
Tiffany Blue vs. Similar Shades
Because of its iconic status, Tiffany Blue is sometimes used interchangeably with similar sky and robin’s egg blue shades. But there are subtle differences between Tiffany Blue and other common blue hues. Let’s compare it to a few close colors.
Tiffany Blue vs. Robin Egg Blue:
Robin Egg Blue is the general name for the pale blue color of robin bird eggs. It is slightly greener and desaturated compared to Tiffany Blue. The hex code for Robin Egg Blue is #1FCECB.
Tiffany Blue vs. Baby Blue:
Baby Blue is lighter and brighter than Tiffany Blue. It lacks the cyan intensity and greenish quality. The hex code for Baby Blue is #89CFF0.
Tiffany Blue vs. Sky Blue:
Sky Blue is brighter and more saturated than Tiffany Blue. It also tends toward a deeper azure shade. The hex code for Sky Blue is #76D7EA.
Tiffany Blue vs. Alice Blue:
Alice Blue is lighter and cooler toned than Tiffany Blue. It’s closer to a true cyan. The hex code for Alice Blue is #E9F8F2.
So while other blue hues may sometimes get lumped in with Tiffany Blue, when you compare them side-by-side you can see the subtle differences in hue, brightness and saturation. For the authentic trademarked Tiffany & Co. color, always use the official Pantone 1837 specifications.
Using Tiffany Blue in Design and Marketing
Reproducing the signature Tiffany Blue color accurately is important whenever you are trying to evoke the brand in your designs, products or marketing materials.
For example, you might use Tiffany Blue on jewelry packaging to indicate that your product has a similar luxury feel. Web designers can use Tiffany Blue accents as part of a website theme relating to expensive jewelry or gifts.
Using the exact color shade helps form a stronger visual association in the mind of customers. Make sure you have the official color specifications on hand.
However, be aware that Tiffany & Co. does hold trademarks on the use of Tiffany Blue. Use the color judiciously, and avoid creating customer confusion between your brand and Tiffany & Co. Do not attempt to pass your product off as Tiffany merchandise.
When used ethically as an accent touch, Tiffany Blue is a great way to evoke elegance, exclusivity and premium quality. Just make sure your usage does not infringe on their trademarks.
Conclusion
Tiffany Blue is one of the most recognizable brand colors in the world. The specific pale robin’s egg blue shade has defined the Tiffany & Co. brand and their luxury jewelry for over a century.
For designers and marketers trying to reproduce Tiffany Blue accurately, make sure you use the official Pantone 1837 color specifications (Hex #66DDED). For printing, aim for a CMYK formula using 100% Cyan, such as C=100, M=0, Y=0, K=0.
Carefully compare Tiffany Blue against similar blue hues like Sky Blue or Baby Blue to see the subtle differences in shades. Use Tiffany Blue sensitively to evoke the brand image, but avoid potential trademark issues.
With the right color specifications, you can incorporate Tiffany Blue into your projects and marketing materials to create associations with luxury, exclusivity and premium quality. Just use the famous color judiciously and make sure it works seamlessly with your own brand identity.
