| Many people are perfectly happy buying custom | | | | The Tiffany name became so famous that a |
| jewelry from one of the fine, lesser-known | | | | movie was made with the company's name in the |
| craftsmen working around the world. Many of the | | | | title. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" featured top-name |
| quality items produced in these shops and studios | | | | actors and indicated how well-known the |
| is as well-made and beautiful as some of the | | | | company had become 100 years after its |
| products from more famous names. But there is | | | | inception. Today, when most people think of the |
| something special about owning original designer | | | | name "Tiffany's" the image of exquisite jewelry |
| jewelry that has created a following, a culture, | | | | comes to mind. Add to this the fine gold and |
| unlike any other. | | | | platinum items from the company studio and it is |
| This is true of jewelry from Tiffany & Co., | | | | no surprise that someone might ask, "Is it |
| the New York company founded 170 years ago | | | | Tiffany?" |
| by Charles Lewis Tiffany. In fact, some consider | | | | There are more affordable alternatives for those |
| Tiffany to be the best example of quality and | | | | whose budget won't allow them to purchase an |
| desirability in the world of designer jewelry. Even | | | | original from the New York company. Many |
| with the long history of designer jewelry, reaching | | | | replicas and imitations of Tiffany jewelry are, in |
| back centuries, Tiffany & Co. pieces stand | | | | fact, well-made and quite attractive. It would |
| out among the best among fine jewelry | | | | unfair to call them "cheap" because these copies |
| manufacturers and artists. | | | | are quite desirable among many jewelry wearers. |
| Tiffany jewelry was first offered in the 1840s, | | | | "Inexpensive" might be a better label. In addition, |
| not long after the Tiffany & Young store | | | | women buy silver Tiffany jewelry as a |
| opened in New York. Silver-based jewelry, | | | | "substitute" for the higher-priced diamond jewelry |
| dressing table sets and gift items have attracted | | | | items from Tiffany. While even the Tiffany silver |
| customers from the start because of the designs | | | | can be expensive, many of the pieces are within |
| and because of the amazing workmanship. | | | | range for a larger section of the population. |
| Demand for Tiffany jewelry was very high in the | | | | Caution is the key when buying any jewelry |
| 1800s and remains so in the 21st century, even | | | | however, because even the lower-priced silver |
| with the rather high initial cost of most pieces. | | | | Tiffany pieces have been copied and imitated. |
| These very features - quality craftsmanship and | | | | Those who want to display "Tiffany" but cannot |
| unique design- have caused Tiffany products to | | | | afford the top-line platinum, gold and diamond |
| be copied worldwide. This company's jewelry is, in | | | | pieces should take care when purchasing silver |
| the minds of many, the ultimate possession | | | | jewelry advertised as Tiffany pieces. The safest |
| among designer jewelry. However, those who | | | | way to ensure that the item is truly a Tiffany |
| could not afford a Tiffany original often turn to | | | | product is to buy from the original source. Tiffany |
| the reasonable price of a well-made copy. While | | | | also has a Web site and the Blue book (published |
| this is certainly a compromise, people around the | | | | from the first year of jewelry offerings in 1845). |
| world often wear a Tiffany imitation for an entire | | | | The company's products are more widely |
| evening and others are none the wiser. | | | | available than ever. |