Tiffany Pieces Hiding in Jewelry Drawers
Somewhere in a lot of homes, a small robin’s-egg-blue pouch is sitting at the bottom of a drawer, forgotten after a graduation or an anniversary. Tiffany & Co. has been making jewelry since 1837, and some designs have become collectible in their own right.
Value depends heavily on the design, the metal, the condition, and whether the original packaging survives. These are the pieces worth pulling out and looking at closely.
The Tiffany Setting Solitaire
Tiffany introduced its six-prong Setting in 1886, and it is widely credited as the first engagement ring design to lift the diamond off the band so it could catch more light. The company warned buyers about imitations from the beginning.
A ring marked Tiffany & Co. with an authentic certificate carries serious weight.
Elsa Peretti Bean Pendant
Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany in 1974, and her debut collection sold out on the first day. The smooth Bean shape, modeled on the form of a legume, is a signature of her work.
Sterling versions are common, while gold versions command more at resale.
Elsa Peretti Open Heart
The Open Heart is a bold, curving outline with a negative space at its center, and it ranks among the best-selling Tiffany designs. Peretti earned Tiffany more than $6 million in sales in 1977 alone.
Different sizes and metals produce a wide range of values.
Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff
Peretti reportedly drew inspiration for the Bone Cuff from the architecture of Casa Milà in Barcelona and a childhood encounter with bones. The sculptural cuff slips around the wrist with an organic curve.
Silver and gold versions both attract collectors.
Diamonds by the Yard
Halston gave the collection its name, and a single diamond on a gold chain sold for $89 in 1976. The idea was that a woman could buy as much length of diamonds as she wished.
Peretti died on March 18, 2021, at age 80, but the line remains a Tiffany classic.
Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock
Jean Schlumberger joined Tiffany in 1956 and designed fantastical jewels inspired by nature. His Bird on a Rock brooch debuted in 1965, with Bunny Mellon as an early buyer who went on to acquire seven more.
Original vintage pieces from his years at Tiffany are highly prized.
Schlumberger Ribbon Rosette Necklace
The Ribbon Rosette necklace turns the look of folded silk into a gemstone and metal creation. Schlumberger’s work is distinctive for its richly textured gold and bold gem combinations.
Authentic examples carry his signature along with the Tiffany name.
Paloma Picasso Graffiti
Paloma Picasso launched her Graffiti collection in 1980, with loose scribbled lines that look like marks on a wall. Hallmarks on her pieces pair “Tiffany & Co.” with her signature.
Her work stands apart from the brand’s traditional elegance.
Paloma Picasso X Pendant
The X motif became one of Picasso’s best-known designs, appearing in rings, earrings, and pendants. Because of the simple shape, it is easy to mistake for costume jewelry.
A check of the hallmark reveals the maker.
Paloma Picasso Loving Heart
The Loving Heart pairs a rounded outline with a playful hand-drawn feel, in line with Picasso’s style. It was made in sterling silver and in gold.
Sizes vary, and so do prices.
Return to Tiffany Heart Tag
Tiffany introduced the heart tag in 1966 for $11 in 14 karat gold, followed by an oval tag in 1967 for $9. The inscription reads “Please Return to Tiffany & Co.” and typically includes a New York address.
The tag was once a classic gift for a teenage girl.
Return to Tiffany Key Ring
A key ring version arrived in 1969 and cost $48 at the time. Tiffany moved into jewelry design proper in 1980, when it added a heart pendant on a box chain.
The keychain remains a recognizable emblem of the brand.
Return to Tiffany Silver Choker
A sterling silver choker launched in 1997 and became hugely popular. Many ended up in drawers once trends changed.
Condition matters, as scratches and wear on the clasp reduce resale prices.
Tiffany 1837 Collection
The 1837 line commemorates the year Tiffany was founded and was expanded around the company’s 175th anniversary. The signature circle motif is simple and clean.
Pieces are marked with the year and the Tiffany name.
Tiffany T Wire Bracelet
Francesca Amfitheatrof designed the Tiffany T collection, which launched in 2014 with a bold, stylized letter T. The wire bracelet has a slim, modern profile.
Gold and rose gold options often fetch more than silver on the secondary market.
Tiffany HardWear
HardWear takes cues from chunky link and chain jewelry associated with New York’s industrial past. It is chunky, graphic, and worn by many of the brand’s younger customers.
Its strong style makes it a favorite resale item.
Tiffany Atlas
Atlas pieces are modeled after the numeral-filled clock that hangs over the company’s Fifth Avenue flagship store. Roman numerals in metal appear on pendants, rings, and bracelets.
The motif is distinctive and easy to recognize.
Tiffany Charm Bracelets
Charm bracelets with a heart tag were once a rite of passage for teens. The links often include a Tiffany tag with an inscription.
Sterling silver versions carry a lower melt value, but the maker name raises the resale price.
Tiffany Silver Hallmarks
Authentic pieces carry marks such as “Tiffany & Co.” or “T & Co.” and a purity stamp such as 925 for sterling or 750 for 18 karat gold. Closed, soldered loops and crisp engraving are good signs.
Counterfeits often have fuzzy lettering and sloppy finishing.
Tiffany Box and Pouch
A full set with the original box and pouch can add roughly 10 to 20 percent to the resale value. The packaging is part of the brand’s appeal.
Missing items do not make a piece worthless, but they do narrow the buyer pool.
What the Little Blue Pouch Really Holds
A Tiffany piece is more than metal and stones. It is the work of a house with nearly two centuries of history and a roster of designers whose names carry weight.
That heritage is what buyers pay for when a piece comes up for resale. Before assuming a trinket is common, look for the hallmark, check the clasp, and find a reputable appraiser.
Silver melt value is small compared with the price of an authentic designer piece. A forgotten drawer may be holding more than sentimental value.
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