Businessman. He was the founder of Tiffany and Company in New York City, New York, that specialized in the manufacturing of jewelry. His father owned a cotton mill and also ran a small general store that he helped to manage when he was 15 years old. In 1837 he borrowed $1,000 from his father and he, along with a school friend, John B. Young, established a small stationery and gift shop in New York City, selling glassware, porcelain, cutlery, clocks and jewelry. In 1841 the store expanded, changing its name to Tiffany, Young and Ellis, specializing in Bohemian glass and porcelain, as well as making its own jewelry, and it soon established a reputation for selling only the finest goods. In the early 1850s, the company reorganized under the name Tiffany and Company, opening branches in London, England and Paris, France, and relocated to an uptown Fifth Avenue location in New York City. He introduced the term "sterling" to the US when he adopted the English silver standards. One of his greatest achievements was teaming up with the renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, and creating footlights and other methods of lighting theaters, which increased popularity of Broadway and other stage shows during that time. In 1886 his company introduced what is known as the "Tiffany Setting,' a six-prong diamond solitaire setting, allowing the stone to receive maximum light, resulting in maximum brilliance. The following year, he acquired and sold some of the French crown jewels, an important acquisition that established its reputation for selling quality and one-of-a-kind jewelry. He died at the age of 90. At the time of his death, his company was worth more than $2 million and was acknowledged as the most prominent jewelry company in North America. His son, Louis Comfort Tiffany, became famous for his work as a jewelry designer as well as his work with decorative stained glass.
Businessman. He was the founder of Tiffany and Company in New York City, New York, that specialized in the manufacturing of jewelry. His father owned a cotton mill and also ran a small general store that he helped to manage when he was 15 years old. In 1837 he borrowed $1,000 from his father and he, along with a school friend, John B. Young, established a small stationery and gift shop in New York City, selling glassware, porcelain, cutlery, clocks and jewelry. In 1841 the store expanded, changing its name to Tiffany, Young and Ellis, specializing in Bohemian glass and porcelain, as well as making its own jewelry, and it soon established a reputation for selling only the finest goods. In the early 1850s, the company reorganized under the name Tiffany and Company, opening branches in London, England and Paris, France, and relocated to an uptown Fifth Avenue location in New York City. He introduced the term "sterling" to the US when he adopted the English silver standards. One of his greatest achievements was teaming up with the renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, and creating footlights and other methods of lighting theaters, which increased popularity of Broadway and other stage shows during that time. In 1886 his company introduced what is known as the "Tiffany Setting,' a six-prong diamond solitaire setting, allowing the stone to receive maximum light, resulting in maximum brilliance. The following year, he acquired and sold some of the French crown jewels, an important acquisition that established its reputation for selling quality and one-of-a-kind jewelry. He died at the age of 90. At the time of his death, his company was worth more than $2 million and was acknowledged as the most prominent jewelry company in North America. His son, Louis Comfort Tiffany, became famous for his work as a jewelry designer as well as his work with decorative stained glass.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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