Tiffany Blue is a light medium robin’s egg blue color that was made famous by Tiffany & Co. jewelry company. The iconic shade has become synonymous with luxury, exclusivity, and style. But what exactly is the shade of Tiffany Blue and how did it become so iconic?
This article will explore the origins of Tiffany Blue, examine the precise Pantone matching system (PMS) number and RGB/HEX values, look at how the color is used in Tiffany & Co. branding and packaging, and understand why the distinctive hue has endured as a symbol of refinement and sophistication.
History and Origins
Tiffany Blue was originally created by Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co. Sometime around 1845, Tiffany chose a light blue-green hue for the cover of the company’s Blue Book catalog, which was published for the first time in 1845. This cool and inviting shade immediately set Tiffany & Co. apart from other jewelry companies, who typically used red, black or brown colors for their catalogs.
Tiffany’s Blue Book was mailed to the elite of American society, inviting them to browse selections from the company’s luxurious diamonds, gemstones and pearls. The Tiffany Blue cover communicated exclusivity and style. The catalog was instantly successful and allowed Tiffany & Co. to establish itself as a premium American jewelry brand.
After the Blue Book, Tiffany Blue was used on the company’s iconic jewelry boxes, shopping bags, and in its extensive branding. Rather than copying European luxury traditions, Tiffany wanted to craft an elegant American aesthetic. The robin’s egg blue that Charles Lewis Tiffany chose came to symbolize this.
Over the past 175 years, the exclusivity and aspiration that Tiffany Blue represents has become engrained in the public consciousness. When we see the distinctive light blue, we instantly think of the Tiffany brand and the luxury it embodies.
Precise Color Specifications
So exactly what shade is Tiffany Blue? Over the years, the company has worked diligently to standardize the shade to ensure consistency across all its packaging, marketing materials, stores and products.
| Color System | Blue Tiffany Specs |
|---|---|
| Pantone Matching System (PMS) | PMS 1837 |
| RGB | R 0 G 102 B 153 |
| HEX | #006699 |
| CMYK | C 100 M 42 Y 6 K 1 |
As we can see, Tiffany Blue is identified as Pantone 1837 in the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Pantone is the global authority on commercial color reproduction and its numeric codes allow precise color matching across printers, screens, etc.
PMS 1837 specifies a medium-light azure blue with hints of green. It has bright blue undertones but is muted and elegant enough for luxury branding. The RGB code gives the exact mixture of Red, Green and Blue light needed to produce Tiffany Blue on digital screens. The HEX code #006699 can also be used for web design.
By standardizing Tiffany Blue as PMS 1837, Tiffany & Co. is able to control its color across all applications and mediums. This strengthens brand recognition and maintains the exclusivity of Tiffany Blue as a signifier of luxury.
Use in Branding and Packaging
Walk into any Tiffany & Co. retail location and you are greeted by Tiffany Blue on every surface. The floors, walls, furniture, decorations and displays use the iconic robin’s egg blue to immerse customers in the Tiffany aesthetic. Staff uniforms also incorporate the famous color.
Tiffany Blue Boxes are arguably the most famous use of the color. Every piece of Tiffany jewelry is presented in the brand’s iconic boxes, which feature white ribbons and light blue paper. Customers eagerly anticipate receiving the Blue Box almost as much as the jewelry itself. Over 40,000 Tiffany Blue Boxes are produced each day!
| Packaging Item | Tiffany Blue Elements |
|---|---|
| Jewelry boxes | Outer box and inner lining |
| Shopping bags | Bag exterior and interior |
| Ribbons | Satin ribbon colors |
| Catalogs | Catalog cover |
As we can see, Tiffany uses its custom blue for all elements of packaging and branding. Maintaining PMS 1837 across mediums strengthens brand recognition. The instantly-recognizable robin’s egg blue elicits thoughts of engagement rings, gifts for loved ones and investment pieces.
Why Is Tiffany Blue So Iconic?
What is it about Tiffany Blue that has made it so iconic over 175 years of Tiffany & Co history? Here are some key reasons this specific shade of light blue has endured as a status symbol:
– Distinctiveness – The robin’s egg blue stands out from competitors and acts as a visual signifier for the Tiffany brand. The color pops against white ribbons and box linings.
– Sophistication – Tiffany Blue evokes elegance and high-class sensibilities. It is refined enough for luxury branding and diamond jewelry.
– Aspiration – We associate Tiffany Blue with momentous life events and achievements. Give someone a Tiffany Blue Box, and you are gifting a symbol of making it.
– Consistency – Unwavering commitment to PMS 1837 in branding materials makes Tiffany Blue recognizable from any distance.
– Rarity – The exclusivity of being able to use a trademarked custom color gives it status. Tiffany Blue can’t be copied.
– Memorability – The light blue is easy to imprint and recall in our memories, even from brief or passing exposures.
Branding experts agree that Tiffany Blue is one of the most effective brand colors ever developed. It activates notions of luxury, style and lifecycle milestones. For over 175 years, the robin’s egg blue has accrued brand equity that cannot be replicated. It is a testament to Charles Lewis Tiffany’s vision for establishing an iconic American aesthetic for his burgeoning jewelry company.
Conclusion
Tiffany Blue is a light robin’s egg blue with hints of green that was specially mixed by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1845. As PMS 1837, the precise shade is used in all Tiffany & Co. branding, packaging and retail environments as a distinctive signifier of luxury and sophistication. After 175 years, Tiffany Blue remains a beloved status symbol and a reminder of life’s most precious gift-giving moments. The cool blue box with white satin bow is an American icon revered by people across the world.
