We’ve covered lots of iconic packaging here—whether it’s about food, drink, or cosmetic brands. The one unifying thing about all our choices is that the packaging is always meant for one specific product—which is why this choice for iconic packaging is so unique. The Tiffany Blue Box isn’t meant for just one product, it’s meant to represent an entire retail enterprise. To say it’s successful is an understatement, as it’s become one of the most recognizable packaging designs ever. Let’s take a look at why.
Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded “Tiffany, Young and Ellis” in 1837. Initially selling a variety of stationery items in Lower Manhattan, the store’s emphasis changed to fine jewelry in 1853 when Tiffany took control of the business. He also shortened the company name to Tiffany & Co. to reflect the change in direction and leadership. Today, Tiffany’s (as it’s commonly called) is one of the world’s best-known luxury jewelry retailers.
Tiffany’s adopted a light blue colour for their branding, first using it on the cover of their Blue Book, a mail order catalogue they began publishing in 1845. The turning point for their branding came in 1886 when Tiffany’s introduced its signature diamond engagement ring. Featuring a six-prong setting, it came nestled inside a blue jewelry box—which soon became as desired as the ring itself. Though it’s assumed the blue colour was chosen to reflect the popularity of turquoise jewelry at the time, nobody knows the absolute truth of that colour choice.
But, that light blue colour is so iconic that it was trademarked in 1998. Tiffany Blue, also known as forget-me-not blue and robin’s blue egg, is listed as Pantone No. 1837 (the year Tiffany’s was founded). To stress just how impactful Tiffany Blue is—other examples of trademarked colours include Barbie Pink, Cadbury Purple, UPS Brown and 3M Canary Yellow. Trademarks are typically restricted to specific industries or areas of expertise, meaning as long as your business isn’t in the same category of business as a colour trademark owner, you’d likely be able to use it. That said, Tiffany Blue is one of the most protected colours in branding.
And that’s not the only thing Tiffany’s has protected. The entirety of the packaging is trademarked, including not only the blue-coated paper (created by Pantone), and the white satin ribbon used for securing everything, but also the name itself—the Tiffany Blue Box. As an interesting note, the ribbon is tied on the counter in front of the customer, as the final touch to their branding. And, the only time Tiffany’s deviates in packaging is during the holidays, when it uses a red ribbon instead.
Tiffany Blue Boxes are so sought after that incredible steps are taken to protect them. In 1961, Tiffany’s allowed Paramount Pictures to film part of Breakfast at Tiffany’s inside their flagship location. To prevent the theft of any blue boxes, 40 armed guards were posted around the store. And, in today’s world of selling anything and everything online, empty boxes and bags are often posted on sites like Etsy or eBay. Though Tiffany’s has been unable to legally halt this practice, they do frown upon it.
In a brilliant marketing move, the Tiffany Blue Box is now sold as a wearable charm. Cast in sterling silver and a Tiffany Blue enamel finish, it’s a highly sought-after piece in their jewelry lineup. It’s so popular, in fact, that the Tiffany Blue shopping bag is available as a wearable charm, as well.
If that weren’t enough, the Tiffany Blue Box is so beloved that it’s even recreated in baked goods. In doing a quick search online, we found birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies with icing, and even Tiffany Blue Box cake pops. We’re kinda hungry now!
Tiffany & Co. celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2012, long having cemented itself as one of the world’s best jewelry providers. And thanks to such a long and storied history, the Tiffany Blue Box has certainly earned its status as iconic packaging, too. Do you feel there’s packaging out there worthy of the iconic packaging title as well? Let us know, we’d love to showcase it!
FAQs
True to the founder's vision, the Tiffany Blue Box® is as much an icon of luxury and exclusivity as it was a century ago. As The New York Sun reported in 1906, “[Charles Lewis] Tiffany has one thing in stock that you cannot buy of him for as much money as you may offer; he will only give it to you.
What is the little blue box from Tiffany and Co? ›
Carefully tied in a bow, it unfurls with one gentle pull to reveal the extraordinary Tiffany & Co. piece within. Widely regarded as the most recognizable and coveted packaging in the world, the Blue Box is only available with a purchase at Tiffany & Co., a tradition that dates to our founder.
Will Tiffany give you a box? ›
All Tiffany.com purchases arrive in the signature Tiffany Blue Box, tied with a white satin ribbon. At the checkout process you will have the option of writing a gift message for each item in your order which will arrive with your gift package, enclosed in a white envelope.
Are Tiffany boxes valuable? ›
In general, a Tiffany & Co. box is worth about $50 to $75, depending on what's included and what kind of shape it's in. This might seem like a lot for an empty box, but you have to remember why it's valuable: these blue boxes symbolize luxury.
What was the purpose of the blue box? ›
A blue box is an electronic device that produces tones used to generate the in-band signaling tones formerly used within the North American long-distance telephone network to send line status and called number information over voice circuits.
What does Tiffany Blue symbolize? ›
Tiffany Blue was selected by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany for the cover of Blue Book, Tiffany's annual collection of exquisitely handcrafted jewels, first published in 1845. This color is now a modern icon, and representative of elegance and luxury.
Does Tiffany ship in a blue box? ›
We understand how special your purchase is, and that's why all Tiffany & Co. purchases arrive in unmarked packaging to protect your privacy. Inside this package, your Tiffany engagement ring is wrapped in the legendary Tiffany Blue Box®, tied with a white ribbon.
Why is Tiffany the only store that can use Tiffany Blue? ›
To protect their iconic color, Tiffany trademarked this shade of blue as well as the white satin ribbon they use to tie the boxes and the term 'Tiffany Blue Box'. Tiffany's blue boxes are just as much of a cultural icon as the brand itself.
What packaging does Tiffany come in? ›
All orders arrive in the Tiffany Blue Box, tied with a white ribbon and delivered in discreet non-branded outer packaging.
What is the most expensive item at Tiffany and Co? ›
In Dubai, the jeweler unveiled its latest and most valuable creation for sale, the World's Fair Necklace, valued between $20 and $30 million. The necklace is a behemoth treasure bejeweled with a total of 578 diamonds, all set in platinum.
The simple rule is: if you're looking to spend big — more than about $10,000 — then Tiffany's just might be worth itthe cost. You'll be paying for the Tiffany brand name, but at that price point, you're already spending big, and Tiffany's quality is top-tier.
Can you sell back to Tiffany? ›
Tiffany & Co. does not have a general buyback program for its jewelry. However, they do offer an upgrade program for engagement rings. Under this program, you can trade in your Tiffany engagement ring for a new one at least twice the price of your original purchase.
Why is the Tiffany Blue box so desirable? ›
What is certain is that the shade became an instant identification mark for Tiffany—and as a result also for finest jewelry in the business. The turning point was when the company introduced its diamond engagement ring in 1886: the Tiffany Blue Box became as desired as the ring itself, or whatever else would be inside.
What is blue box Tiffany? ›
Carefully tied in a bow, it unfurls with one gentle pull to reveal the extraordinary Tiffany & Co. piece within. Widely regarded as the most recognizable and coveted packaging in the world, the Blue Box is only available with a purchase at Tiffany & Co., a tradition that dates to our founder.
How can you tell if Tiffany is real? ›
All Tiffany & Co. jewelry pieces should be marked with the brand name, designer signature (if applicable), purity marks, country of manufacture, and sometimes a serial number. “These are typical Tiffany engraving examples we look for when authenticating the brand's jewelry,” explains Rodrigo.
What is the significance of Tiffany's in Breakfast at Tiffany's? ›
Tiffany's becomes a stand-in for Holly's sense of safety and belonging, representing a home that she yearns for throughout the course of the novella. The materiality of idealizing a fancy store contrasts with the yearning emotion Holly connects with it.
What is the color code for Tiffany and Co boxes? ›
The Tiffany blue HEX code picker is #81D8D0. This is the cyan-like creamy blue made famous by Tiffany & Co. jewelry boxes. The color Tiffany blue can be achieved in a RGB space with 129 red, 216 green, and 208 blue.
Why do Tiffany necklaces say return to Tiffany? ›
Return to Tiffany®
New York” phrase. The key tags were assigned a unique registration number, ensuring that if the owner and their keys were separated, they would be reunited at the legendary Tiffany Fifth Avenue flagship store.
