Tiffany & Co. in South Africa: Heritage, Icons and First Gifts

Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, starting out as a shop for stationery and fine goods before becoming one of the best-known names in jewellery and silver.

Two things define the house in most people's minds:

• Tiffany Blue, the robin's-egg shade used on its boxes, bags and ribbons. The blue box has become a gift in its own right, which is part of why a small Tiffany piece can feel significant.
• The Tiffany Setting, the six-prong solitaire engagement ring that lifts the diamond above the band to let in light. It remains the reference point for the classic solitaire.

The house's place in popular culture, helped along by the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, means the name carries meaning even for recipients who do not follow jewellery closely.

Knowing the main collections makes it easier to describe what you want and to match a piece to the person.

• Return to Tiffany: the heart tag and oval tag pieces engraved with the house name, often in sterling silver. Recognisable and approachable.
• Tiffany T: clean, graphic designs built around the letter T, in gold and silver. Suits someone with a minimal, modern style.
• Elsa Peretti designs: organic shapes such as the Open Heart and the Bean, plus the fine Diamonds by the Yard chains. Soft, sculptural and easy to wear daily.
• Tiffany HardWear: chunky links with an industrial edge, for someone who likes a bolder statement.
• Tiffany Knot and Tiffany Setting: from contemporary gold pieces to the house's most serious commitment rings.

You will find more detail on materials and styles in our guide to Tiffany & Co. jewellery. If you are comparing houses, the more nature-inspired, talismanic approach of Van Cleef & Arpels makes a useful contrast.

A first piece from the house works best when it is easy to wear and hard to get wrong.

1. Start with pendants and earrings. They avoid sizing questions entirely. A heart tag or Open Heart pendant is a dependable choice.
2. Check sizes for rings and bracelets. Tiffany bangles and cuffs come in sizes, so borrow a piece the recipient already wears or ask a close friend.
3. Match the metal to what they wear. Someone who wears yellow gold every day may not reach for silver, however iconic the design.
4. Think about the occasion. A silver tag piece suits a birthday or graduation, while gold or diamond pieces tend to mark anniversaries and milestones.

On budget, the main drivers are metal, gemstones and size. Sterling silver pieces are generally the most accessible way into the house, while gold and diamond designs sit considerably higher, and exchange rates affect what South African buyers pay for imported jewellery. Set a ceiling first, then choose the line. For broader ideas, our gifts for her guide may help. Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with options.

Tiffany & Co. has long made silverware and objects for the home, and these make thoughtful gifts for people who already own plenty of jewellery, or for couples.

Crystal glassware, porcelain in Tiffany Blue and small silver objects suit weddings, housewarmings and hosts who enjoy setting a table, whether for a formal dinner or a long summer lunch. Many pieces can be engraved, which turns a well-chosen object into a lasting record of the date.

See our Tiffany & Co. tableware guide for what to look for, and our corporate gifts page if you are thanking a client or marking a colleague's milestone.

Because the house is so widely recognised, it is also widely copied. A few checks help:

• Hallmarks: genuine pieces carry neat, even stamps such as the house name and a metal mark, for example 925 for sterling silver or 750 for 18-carat gold.
• Finish and weight: engraving should be crisp, clasps should close firmly and silver should feel substantial.
• Packaging is not proof: blue boxes and pouches circulate separately, so judge the piece itself and the seller's provenance.

Sterling silver tarnishes naturally, and faster in humid coastal air. Store each piece in its pouch, away from perfume and chlorine, and use a soft polishing cloth. Gold and platinum need only mild soapy water and a soft brush.