Brands - Leo Hamel

Who Founded Tiffany & Co.?

2023-11-172023-12-11 by Rylee Kahan

Tiffany & Co. is one of the most universally recognized fine jewelry brands. Since it was founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has produced highly desirable necklaces, engagement rings, earrings, and other kinds of accessories. Collections such as Return to Tiffany®, Tiffany Infinity, and Tiffany Celebration® have earned the company status as an iconic American brand time after time. The distinct Tiffany blue color has become a symbol of fine jewelry, high-end fashion, and sophistication. That did it take to become one of world’s biggest brand names? There is more to the company’s history than meets the eye.

The Early Years of Tiffany & Co.

The premier jewelry store was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John F. Young. Originally, it was called Tiffany & Young. In 1853, Charles Tiffany bought out his partners, established sole control of the company, and renamed it as we know it today – Tiffany & Co.

In the beginning Tiffany and Young did not intend on selling jewelry. The store was opened as a “stationary and fancy goods” store with a $1,000 advance from Tiffany’s father. During the 1867 Paris World’s Fair, Tiffany & Co. was awarded the grand prize for silver craftsmanship. This marked the first time and American design house had been so highly honored by foreign peers.

Tiffany has been a valuable asset to America’s history for over 170 years. During the Civil War, Tiffany designed ceremonial swords as well as swords to be used in battle by soldiers. In 1885, Tiffany redesigned the Great Seal of the United States, which is displayed on the back of the dollar bill to this day.

Trademark Collection and Other Accesories & Adornments

Besides brilliantly stunning jewelry, Tiffany is also known for producing a variety of accessories. In the 1960s, Tiffany was commissioned to create the White House China for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Today, Tiffany has an entire line dedicated to accessories consisting of key rings, handbags, sunglasses, writing instruments and more.

One of Tiffany’s signature accessories if the Return to Tiffany® key rings. Introduced in 1969, eack key ring is inscribed with the message, “Please Return to Tiffany & Co., New York”. Each one has a unique registration number so if the key and owner are ever separated, they can be reunited at Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship store. Now, the company has a whole collection devoted towards the iconic phrase, “Please Return to Tiffany & Co.”

Sports Trophies

One of the more surprising details of Tiffany’s history is how involved the brand is in the sporting world. Tiffany has been at the center of American sports since 1860, creating trophies for horse racing, the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis 500, and more. The iconic brand also creates championship rings for the NFL, MLB, and USA Basketball.

Since Superbowl I in 1967, Tiffany & Co. has created each Vince Lombardi trophy. The trophy stands just under two feet tall at 22″, weighs over 7 pounds, and is adorned with a regulation-size football. While the first trophy was given to Vince Lombardi in 1967 after the Green Bay Packers victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the trophy wasn’t the “Vince Lombardi Trophy” until his death in 1970.

Engagement Rings & Other Fine Jewelry

In 1886, Charles Tiffany had an epiphany about how engagement rings should be set. Rather than having an exceptional diamond hidden in a bezel setting, as was the fashion at the time, he decided that the diamond should stand out above the band, maximizing its brilliance. Thus, the creation of the Tiffany engagement ring became the engagement ring as we know it today.

Tiffany & Co. is also highly regarded for their yellow diamonds. Tiffany’s love for these rare and radiant diamonds dates to 1878 when Charles Tiffany purchased the 287.42-carat Tiffany Diamond. The priceless stone, one of the world’s most important diamonds, was cut into a cushion-shape brilliant weighing 128.54 carats and still resides at the trademark New York Tiffany location.

Tiffany’s reputation continued to flourish with the production of the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This was allegedly the first time the store ever opened on a Sunday and allowed filming inside. During production, Tiffany hired 40 security guards to protect all the precious pieces.

Tiffany & Co. in San Diego

Whether you’re looking for a classic Return to Tiffany key ring, vintage Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti earrings, or unique Tiffany & Co. engagement rings, our vast vintage collection is bound to impress. Although we’re located on San Diego Avenue, not Fifth Avenue, we guarantee your experience will be just as remarkably high-class as Holly Golightly’s outing to Tiffany & Co. New York.

History of the Omega Speedmaster

2023-10-032023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Anyone interested in history, space flight, or watch making will want to hear the story of the Omega Speedmaster. A little-known specialty watch in the 1950’s rose to fame as the watch of the astronauts. The Speedmaster sparked a top-secret development program with NASA. It is a symbol of the space race era that has endured and remains in use today. The watch has outlasted even the iconic Apollo rockets and space shuttles. This is a brief history of how it all began.

The Moon Watch

During the space program in the 1960’s, NASA sought a chronograph watch that could withstand space flight. It would have to be very accurate even when exposed to different extreme environments that don’t exist on Earth’s surface. NASA didn’t have its own development program for watches so it turned to the commercial sector to find a suitable piece.

The Omega Speedmaster seemed destined for fame. The first Speedmaster went into space on the arm of astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962. It was his personal model, and he wore it without any endorsement from NASA, as it was still several years before NASA had its own spaceflight certified watch. Between 1963 and 1964, NASA wanted to certify a watch for the Apollo missions and was open to many options. NASA directly reached out to several watch manufacturers to submit chronograph watches candidates for testing. Rolex, Hamilton, Lngines-Wittenauer and Omega submitted multiple models.

NASA Tests Omega, Rolex, & Hamilton Watches

Between October 1964 and March 1965 NASA subjected the candidate watches to these incredible tests:

High Temperature: 48 hours at 160°F followed by 30 minutes at 200°F
Low Temperature: 4 hours at 0°F
Temperature-Pressure: 15 cycles of heating to 160°F for 45 minutes, followed by cooling to 0°F for 45 minutes at 10-6 atmosphere
Relative Humidity: 240 hours at temperatures varying between 68°F and 160°F in a relative humidity of at least 95%
Oxygen Atmosphere: 48 hours in an atmosphere of 100% oxygen at a pressure of 0.35 atmosphere
Shock: Six shocks of 40 G, each 11 milliseconds in duration, in six different directions.
Acceleration: From 1 G to 7.25 G within 333 seconds, along an axis parallel to the longitudinal spacecraft axis
Decompression: 90 minutes in a vacuum of 10-6 atmosphere at a temperature of 160°F and 30 minutes at 200°F
High Pressure: 1.6 atmosphere for a minimum period of one hour
Vibration: Three cycles of 30 minutes of vibration varying from 5 to 2000 Hz
Acoustic Noise: 130 DB over a frequency range of 40 to 10,000 Hz, duration 30 minutes

Omega Speedmaster's Moon Landing

In the end, only one watch passed the tests: Omega Speedmaster. With that, the Speedmaster became NASA’s official watch for space exploration. Each astronaut was equipped with one from that point on. Now here’s a curious piece of history: the Omega company in Switzerland was unaware that their watch had been selected! This was because NASA procured the watches from the Omega USA subsidiary, which did not inform Omega headquarters of the project.

Omega headquarters only found out by seeing a news photograph of the Speedmaster on the arm of astronaut Ed White, during America’s first space walk in June 1965 – almost a year after testing had begun! It was four years later that the Speedmaster cemented its fame. On July 20^th, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin both wore an Omega Speedmaster as they walked on the moon. This was an unprecedented achievement for an off-the-shelf watch that had not at all been designed with space flight in mind. It remains part of the official gear issues to Nasa astronauts to this day, making it one of the longest continuous-use equipment items in the space program.

The Alaska Project

A few years after adopting the Speedmaster for space missions, NASA and Omega partnered to jointly develop a new version of the Speedmaster, designed from the ground up for space exploration. The project was undertaken in strict secrecy and code named The Alaska Project. The goal of the project was to make the perfect “space watch,” one resistant to extreme temperatures and solar radiation. Function dictated every design decision, leading to first-time innovations in watch making, as well as interesting aesthetic results. The Alaska Project Speedmaster result looked very different from the original. It was distinguished by the oversized, red, anodized, aluminum casing (removable).

The low thermal conductivity of aluminum protexted the watch against extreme temperature fluctuations, high and low, whilethe red color protected against some wavelengths of solar radiation. The watch case itself was made from titanium – a first-time innovation in watch making. The dial color was changed from black to white, because the white golod reflected the maximum amount of solar radiation awar from the watch. Omega produced five Alaska Project prototypes by 1969, but by that time, priorities were changing in the space program. NASA decided the original Speedmaster was fulfilling its role as mission watch sufficiently well, so no Alaska Project Speedmasters were ever ordered into production.

Omega Speedmaster's Unique History

No other watch on Earth has such a unique history, nor had any watch endured such rigorous, independent testing of quality as the Speedmaster. The irony of the Omega Speedmaster is the original, Earth-designed Speedmaster was adapted for the most important space exploration missions in history, and it still NASA’s official space flight watch, while the space-designed Speedmaster never left the ground.

Collector’s today can find many versions of the Omega Speedmaster, from modern models to the vintage “pre-moon” version of the 1950’s-1960’s, including a limited collector’s edition of the Alaska Project. Visit us today if you’re in search of an out-of-this-world luxury watch!

3 Vintage Designer Handbags You Have to Have

2023-08-182023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Every woman knows the difference a quality handbag can make. From the normal wear and tear of daily use, to treating handbags like our own portable junk drawer. Our bags definitely take quite the beating. Often, handbags are chosen based on their appearance – and that’s totally fine! We all need at least one bag we truly love that easily fits with any outfit or occasion. But have you ever considered the long-term benefits of purchasing designer handbags?

Now you might be thinking that a price of upwards of thousands of dollars is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a purse. Trust me, it’s not an uncommon point of view, however, we’re here to change your mind and help you realize why investing in a luxury handbag is worth your hard-earned money.

As we just mentioned, it’s important to purchase a style of handbag that you truly adore. But you should also consider the quality of the material used, the size of the bag, and the resale value in case you ever find yourself looking to sell or upgrade.

Considered the “holy trinity” of luxury handbags, Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton are the top three brands to purchase for investment purposes.

Chanel Classic Flap Bag

If you’re a fan of luxury handbags then you’ve probably heard of the Chanel 2.55 bag, the brand’s most successful and iconic handbag. Well, if you adore the 2.55, you’re sure to love its more contemporary sister, the Chanel Classic Flap Bag. The Classic Flap is very similar to the 2.55 with just a few modern upgrades. The clasp features interlocking C’s, and the strap includes interwoven chain and leather. The bag is available in four different sizes – small, medium-large, jumbo, and maxi – to allow you to decide what best meets your needs. It’s also available in a variety of different colors, allowing you to choose a subtle black or a pop of color for your arm candy.

Another popular investment-worthy Chanel handbag is the Chanel Boy Bag. Introduced in 2011, the Boy Bag has already become as popular and valuable as the Classic Flaps. The resale value of both bags retains or increases depending on leather, hardware, and demand. These babies have consistently remained in high demand, so you should expect to recoup more than 50% of the retail price.

Hermes Kelly Bag

Investing in a Hermes handbag is a very smart decision because of their rareness. Hermes only produces limited quantities of each handbag, creating an exceptional level of scarcity and exclusivity. So what does this mean for you? Whether you purchase the renowned Birkin bag or the refined Kelly bag, you should expect to see more than 90% of the retail value as resale prices only continue to increase.

Now, let’s talk style. Both the Birkin and the Kelly bag have a very chic look about them. Hermes only uses the best of the best when it comes to leather and hardware – you’ll be able to see and feel the quality of your bag even after you’ve owned it for a few years. They are also the ultimate status symbol. If you’re looking for a bag that shows the world you know fashion and you know it well, Hermes will always come in clutch!

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Tote

Louis Vuitton is one the most popular designer brand names out there. And with the quality of their product, there is no reason to wonder why. They fully test all their handbags for durability before putting them on the market, so you know the Neverfull will last you a lifetime. It’s also one of their most successful handbags, which increases its already-high demand.

The name of this bag truly says it all. With all the room you have to pack in your necessities, it’s almost like it never ends. This is the perfect bag for day-to-day use, and it can easily transition into an overnight bag since there is so much space. Another bonus? This gorgeous tote typically retains 85% of its resale value. And if it’s a limited-edition bag, the resale value can double! The initial expense might make you hesitant, but the payoff in the future is worth the investment.

If you’re in the market for a designer purse, head over to Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Not only will you find some of the most popular vintage handbags from Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton, but there are so many other options to choose from! All handbags in our showroom are vintage, meaning shopping is more affordable for you and sustainable for the environment. Find authentic brand name vintage handbags for less than full retail price…it’s luxury handbag heaven!

And don’t forget – we’re always looking for new inventory to fill our store. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, consign your designer clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories to Leo’s and you’ll receive cash or store credit the minute it sells!

Cartier’s Longlasting LOVE Line is Here to Stay

2023-08-152023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

The Cartier LOVE bracelet has been as symbol of “inseparable love” for many jewelry-loving romantics ever since it was designed in 1969. This romantic concept is embodied in the bracelet held together by two screws and “locked” onto the wearer’s wrist. Each bracelet comes with a special screwdriver used to fasten the bangle. The whole point is to have your partner fasten the bracelet to your wrist, an act which symbolizes your commitment to one another.

Recently, the famous Cartier LOVE bracelet has become a must-have status symbol among millennials. More and more fashion-forward consumers covet the bracelet not only for its design and symbolism but also for its worldwide reputation. An exquisite item of high-end jewelry, the Cartier LOVE bracelet is the go-to choice for millennials who wish to invest in jewelry of proven quality and captivating symbolism.

Multifaceted Appeal

This much-coveted bracelet can easily be worn by almost anyone, owing to its simplistic design. The locking mechanism is simple, yet belies a powerful romantic concept, the combination of which lends itself to many different applications. What’s more, both men and women can style themselves with a Cartier LOVE bracelet for almost any occasion.

The bracelets are made in yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, as well as platinum, and their signature screws can even be replaced with diamonds. It’s the diamond-adorned bracelet that is the preferred choice of the well-off, celebrities, and fashion icons. By contrast, without diamonds or other precious stones, its minimalist design is perfect for adding the distinctive edge to a casual outfit.

Early Days of LOVE

When the Cartier LOVE bracelet was first introduced, it was meant to be bought and worn by couples who agreed to give their screwdrivers to one another. In that way, Cartier seemed to have been selling more than just a jewelry item – the bracelet purchased stood as the tangible testimony of the lovers’ commitment. The “lovers only” agenda was pushed so vigorously that some New York hospitals were reported to have kept a LOVE bracelet screwdriver on the premises in case a patient needed to have the bracelet removed.

Celebrities were hooked and soon famous couples such as Nancy and Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, all displayed their mutual devotion with matching LOVE bracelets.

LOVE in the Age of Consumerism

With the LOVE bracelet, Cartier has promoted the idea of everlasting love, fidelity, and devotion. In the world where the once rare commodities are rapidly being converted into mass-manufactured goods that rarely survive the season, the idea of having a symbol of something long-lasting is very enticing and creates a sense of exclusivity.

And this is exactly why so many millennials are choosing to celebrate their commitment to their partner with a LOVE bracelet – not only does it embody the concept perfectly, it’s also a luxury jewelry item that isn’t a bargain for all budgets. Therefore, the investment in a pricey item of jewelry such as the Cartier LOVE bracelet symbolizes the investment into a long-term romantic relationship.

Inspired by celebrity royalty from the golden age of Hollywood, many contemporary actors, pop stars, and other celebrities have embraced the concept by proudly showing off their trademark bracelets with their partners. The list of celebrities stretches long, with Pippa Middleton, Angelina Jolie, Selma Hayek, Kanye West, Scarlet Johansson, Mila Kunis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, and many more!

Beware Fake Bracelets

With the almost unprecedented popularity of the LOVE bracelet, counterfeits were almost bound to appear. As expected, the knockoffs are passed as new bargain-priced originals, which should be a clear sign of warning. Cartier LOVE bracelets shouldn’t be a bargain purchase readily available to anyone – after all, everlasting love is rare and difficult to attain, so its symbolic representation must embody those qualities as well.

However, here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we seek out genuine vintage Cartier jewelry, including the LOVE bracelet, and carefully restore it to like-new condition. What isn’t like new is the price! You can save a substantial amount by purchasing a vintage LOVE bracelet rather than a new one. And it’ll look so new that only you will know you didn’t buy it new and pay the full price! And of course, we guarantee its authenticity for your peace of mind!

With Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you can trust the reputation we have been building for the past 44 years. You can be sure you will only find genuine high-end brands in our showroom, whether vintage or new, and if we don’t happen to have a particular piece, we’ll work to find it for you. Visit us on San Diego Avenue to find your LOVE!

A Brief History of Cartier

2023-03-112023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Cartier is celebrated throughout the world for amazing jewelry and wristwatch designs. You’ve probably wanted a Cartier piece at some point in your life, that is if you don’t already own one. Still, how much do you know about Cartier? Most people only know and remember the current presence of the brand. However, Cartier deserves a bit more of us. Founded in 1847, which is 176 years ago, the company has a rich history.

Founding

After inheriting the company from his teach and master jeweler in 1847 Paris, Louis Francois Cartier renamed the company after himself. When changing the name, Louis Francois founded the now famous Cartier brand. His son Alfred took over the company in 1874. However, it was Alfred’s three sons that really expanded the name and the influence of the brand worldwide. The three brothers opened and managed offices in various parts of the world, including London, New York and St. Petersburg.

Innovation

Cartier is perhaps best known among men for starting the wristwatch trend. In the early 20th century, a friend of Louis Cartier (one of the sons of Alfred) complained how ineffective pocket watches were for aviators. Louis designed a wristwatch for his friend, and named the series after him, Cartier Santos. They continued creating new watch series, some of which are still active today, including Baignoire and Tank series. They started producing women’s watches shortly after the men’s, with many of the same designs and series being adapted for female customers.

Change of Ownership

For over 100 years Cartier remained in the family name. It was only after the death of the third generation of Cartier’s who owned the business that their children decided to sell. The company is presently fully owned by a group of investors under the name of Richemont. It is a conglomerate of luxury goods based in Switzerland.

Cartier Jewelry

Even though they are famous for their watches, Cartier started and has maintained a prominent position in the high-end jewelry market. This aspect of the company’s market is heavily geared towards women. A Cartier, for a woman, is synonymous with brilliant design and a variety of different collections for any occasion. With 14 active jewelry collections, it would be a challenge for anyone to not find a piece they love.

Royal Legacy

However, Cartier’s legacy and reputation don’t come only from the collections of jewelry. Half a century after the founding of the company, King Edward VII described the House of Cartier as the “Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers.” A stunning number of royalty and nobility of Europe have been or still are patrons of Cartier, including royals of Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Portugal and many more; most recently the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. This impressive roster of customers came after the King Edward VII ordered 27 tiaras for his coronation in 1902. He was so pleased with the work of Cartier that he issued a royal warrant to Cartier in 1904.

Cartier Jewelry & Watches in San Diego

If you are on a lookout for a piece of vintage Cartier jewelry or pre-owned Cartier watch, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Our showroom and jewelry store on San Diego Avenue is the largest source of new and vintage high-end jewelry in San Diego. Our experienced and polite staff will ensure that you find a Cartier piece to suit your style.

The History of Hearts On Fire

2023-02-152023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Hearts On Fire is a well-known diamond jewelry design and manufacturing company that was founded in 1996 by Glenn & Susan Rothman. About 20 years prior to the founding of Hearts On Fire, the couple started a diamond wholesale business.

While in Europe in 1996, they saw a unique diamond with a geometrically optimized cut that displayed a hearts and arrows pattern. They called it the “Hearts On Fire” diamond and started selling it with the trademark, “The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®.”

By 1999 the company had a presence in Asia and the Caribbean and launched its first collection of diamond jewelry, creating rings and earrings using their own diamonds. They patented the “Dream” cut diamond in 2002, which was a version of the modified square cut.

Hearts On Fire Partnerships

The same year that the “Dream” cut diamond was patented, Hearts On Fire supplied fashion designer Anne Bowen with diamonds to create a dress for the 74^th Academy Awards. Bowen created a diamond dress, worn by Jules Asner, and estimated to cost over $5 million.

For the 60^th anniversary of the Emmy Awards in 2008, Hearts On Fire created a diamond chandelier. This was following the company’s launch of their Architectural Collection, which was a jewelry line that celebrated architectural structures from around the world. The chandelier was created with over 3,300 diamonds, weighing over 1,000 carats, and valued at $10 million. It was hung in the award show’s green room.

The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®

All Hearts On Fire diamonds are chosen from the top 1% of the world’s raw diamonds, then they’re cut and polished at 100x magnification, 10 times more than the industry standard. Only a handful of master diamond cutters are allowed to cut Hearts On Fire diamonds, and they take 4x longer to cut. The microscopic precision the company requires results in a diamond of unparalleled brilliance.

Cutting a diamond to exact mathematically-determined proportions allows the stone to sparkle more brilliantly as the maximum amount of natural light is refracted and reflected. Due to the intense brilliance displayed by a Hearts On Fire diamond, it can be seen sparkling even in a dimly lit restaurant or if it’s not perfectly clean.

Hearts On Fire Diamonds in San Diego

Not all “ideal cut” diamonds are created equal, so visit our showroom to compare ordinary ideal cut diamonds with Hearts On Fire diamonds. Our experienced sales team is here to help you find the perfect Hearts On Fire jewelry.

The History of Tiffany & Co. Since 1837

2023-02-112023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Tiffany & Co. 1837

Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany and his business partner John B. Young. The company started out as a stationary and fancy goods emporium (originally named Tiffany & Young) and quickly moved to Lower Manhattan in 1838. Charles Tiffany had effectively established his company in the jewelry industry by 1853, pulling away from its origins as a luxury odds and ends company.

Within 8 years of the company being founded, they released their first mail order catalog in 1845 which is known as the Tiffany & Co. “Blue Book.” They were the first company in the United States to send a mail order catalog, and it was their first debut of the iconic 1837 Blue color which was later patented and branded in 1998.

In 1853 Charles took over sole ownership and control of the company and it was officially named Tiffany & Co. After this, the company moved to a store in Union Square where it flourished as the destination for New York’s fashionable and wealthy elite in the 1870’s. At this time, Tiffany was known for Japonesque-style silverware and diamond jewelry. Charles became known as the “King of Diamonds.”

What’s known as the Tiffany diamond was purchased by the company in 1878 as an uncut stone. The diamond weighs 128.54 carats after being cut and is an intense canary yellow stone from South African deposits.

Just over a decade later, in 1889, Tiffany & Co. redefined jewelry as an art form at the Paris Exposition Universelle. They presented 24 life-sized orchid brooches and won first place for their groundbreaking work.

1900's

In the 1900’s Louis Comfort Tiffany took over the company as their first design director following his father’s death. 50 years after their Paris win, the company’s new-founded Art Deco style triumphed at the 1939 World’s Fair. One piece of jewelry presented at the fair featured a 200-carat aquamarine with 429 diamond, and was sold for $28,000. Adjusting for inflation, that’s just over half a million dollars in today’s value.

This necklace from 1939 was the predecessor of Tiffany & Co.’s World’s Fair Necklace. This updated necklace was unveiled in 2021 at a Tiffany event in Dubai, and is valued between $20-30 million. Tiffany had the chance to work with an 80-carat diamond, and soon after archivists found a sketch of the predecessor.

These two events led to Tiffany & Co. remaking the World’s Fair Necklace, this time with an 80-carat diamond centerpiece and 578 surrounding diamonds. The center wasn’t set with a diamond only because of the company’s opportunity to work with such a large diamond. The choice was made after the original sketch found by archivists presented the necklace with a diamond, not an aquamarine.

One year after the 1939 World’s Fair, Tiffany & Co. moved to their flagship Fifth Avenue store. The location is well-recognized due to the filming of Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961 featuring Audrey Hepburn.

Present Day Tiffany & Co.

In the late 20^th century, following their move to Fifth Avenue, designers Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso joined Tiffany & Co. The two designers are credited with bringing new, approachable styles to the brand. Peretti is the creator of the well-known Diamond by the Yard collection, and Picasso created the unique Graffiti collection. While they were two very different styles, they both brought accessibility to the brand for New Yorkers and others around the world.

In recent years Tiffany has notably worked with Nike to create a unique line of shoes. The brand has maintained its approachability to consumers and while they continue to produce extravagant jewelry pieces, they also have a wide collection of sterling silver jewelry that’s made to be worn daily by anyone.

Visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers today to view our large vintage Tiffany & Co. collection. We have vintage Tiffany engagement rings, “Please Return to Tiffany” bracelets and necklaces, as well as jewelry from both the Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso collections. Our team is eager to help you find great vintage Tiffany & Co. rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more!