Tiffany & Co.
LVMH · United States
Tiffany & Co. is a New York jeweller founded in 1837 and owned by LVMH since January 2021, when the French group completed a 15.8 billion dollar acquisition. Famous for its blue box and the Tiffany Setting engagement ring, it is the most recognised American jewellery brand.
| Founded | 1837, New York City |
|---|---|
| Founders | Charles Lewis Tiffany, John B. Young |
| Owner | LVMH (since January 2021) |
| Headquarters | New York City, United States |
| President and CEO | Anthony Ledru (since 2021) |
| Acquisition price | About 15.8 billion US dollars (2021) |
| Website | tiffany.com |
What is Tiffany & Co.?
Tiffany & Co. is an American luxury jeweller headquartered in New York City. It is best known for diamond engagement rings and sterling silver and gold jewellery, and it also sells watches, home and table objects and accessories. Since 2021 it has been part of LVMH, where Anthony Ledru has been president and chief executive since January 2021.
History
Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young opened a stationery and fancy goods store in New York in 1837 under the name Tiffany, Young and Ellis. The company published its first Blue Book catalogue in 1845, was incorporated in 1868 and introduced the six-prong Tiffany Setting engagement ring in 1886. Louis Comfort Tiffany became its first design director in 1902, and in 1940 the flagship moved to Fifth Avenue at 57th Street.
Ownership changed several times: Avon Products bought the company in 1978, an investor group took it over in 1984 and it returned to the stock market in 1987. LVMH agreed to acquire Tiffany in 2019, and after a renegotiation completed the deal in January 2021 at about 15.8 billion US dollars. The Fifth Avenue flagship, renamed The Landmark, reopened in April 2023 after a renovation.
Products and positioning
- Engagement rings, led by the Tiffany Setting
- Jewellery collections such as Tiffany T, HardWear, Lock and Knot
- High jewellery and rare diamonds, including the Tiffany Yellow Diamond
- Sports trophies such as the Vince Lombardi Trophy
Business model and distribution
Tiffany operates more than 300 stores worldwide and sells through its own e-commerce, with additional shop-in-shops in department stores. Fragrances and eyewear are produced under licence. LVMH lists a chief omnichannel and digital officer among the maison's executives, reflecting the weight of online and clienteling channels.
Tiffany & Co. and technology
Tiffany was an early adopter of digital tools in jewellery retail, including an engagement ring finder app for the iPhone in 2011. Its online sales run alongside the store network as part of an omnichannel model.
Why it matters
The Tiffany deal was one of the largest acquisitions in luxury history and strengthened LVMH in hard luxury. The brand's repositioning towards higher price points is closely watched across the jewellery sector.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Tiffany & Co.?
Tiffany & Co. is owned by LVMH, which completed its acquisition of the New York jeweller in January 2021 for about 15.8 billion US dollars. Tiffany was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange after the deal.
When was Tiffany & Co. founded?
Tiffany was founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, originally as a stationery and fancy goods store. It became a leading jeweller in the later nineteenth century.