Blue Book Value

When people think of Tiffany & Co., one of the first images that come to mind is the legendary “blue box”. What a lot of people tend to overlook is the Blue Book. The Blue Book was first printed in 1845, as a catalog of featured items for sale at the flagship store, and was the first such catalog to be distributed in the U.S. Today, the term Blue Book refers to an elite collection, which is previewed annually at an invitation-only event. The pieces created for the Blue Book Collection are inspired by the Tiffany & Co archives, and feature some of the world’s most spectacular jewels in custom-designed settings.

This CIRCA purchase is from a recent Blue Book Collection, and is truly a work of art. The pendant was made in the same fashion as a cameo, with the image carved into the layers of a piece of banded onyx so that it contrasts with the background, creating a relief pattern. In this case, the pattern consists of dainty flowers with bezel set diamonds in the center. The pendant is surrounded by diamonds and hangs from a Diamonds by the Yard chain. The Diamonds by the Yard collection is designed by Elsa Peretti in a simplistic and elegant style that emphasizes the quality of the diamonds over sheer size. The use of an unconventional material like banded onyx, in contrast with the delicate necklace of diamonds is what makes this piece a true standout.

Items like this one that are featured in special collections, or as part of a limited edition set, are as a rule worth more than an item that has been mass produced. So, it’s important to hold onto any documentation that shows that an item is from a limited edition. It will mean a much higher price in the secondary market. Print this post