If you have been wondering what the first drop from Tiffany & Co would be after its acquisition by luxury goods conglomerate, LVMH, well, your curiosity has been satisfied: the luxury jewellery brand has released its first engagement rings for men.
Known for its classic solitaire engagement ring for women, Tiffany is once again aiming to set a new standard in the world of fine jewellery, which reports say is beginning to enjoy increased attention among male shoppers.
The collection, named the Charles Tiffany Setting after the company’s founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany, pays homage to the iconic, six-prong Tiffany setting he created. It will be available at Tiffany’s flagship New York store from this month. The bands are inspired by classic signets and come in either a titanium or platinum setting.
The thickset rings come in two designs. The round brilliant cuts are set in streamlined, knife-edge bands that the company says are inspired by the band on the ladies’ Tiffany Setting. The styles with emerald cut diamonds are designed with strong, angular, bevelled edges. Both styles feature diamonds of up to five carats in a bezel-style setting.
The brand said in a press release the line “honours the jeweller’s long-standing legacy in love and inclusivity, paving the way for new traditions.”
A modern trend
Same-sex marriages have become recognised in almost 30 countries including South Africa, and it only makes sense that men who receive proposals also have an appropriate ring to go along with it.
But even in countries where same-sex marriages have not been legalised, it is not out of place to find women proposing to men, and in fact, this trend is becoming increasingly popular. In a 2019 Wedding Report, fashion search platform Lyst said there had been a surge of interest in men’s engagement rings on its site, with search volume jumping 66% from 2018 to 2019.
In 1886, when Tiffany&Co released its signature diamond engagement rings to the market, it instantly became a much-coveted piece of jewellery for lovers. Now, 135 years after, Tiffany is looking to reinvent history once again with The Charles Tiffany Setting collection that ranges from $15,600 to $278,500.
Will it be as successful as it was in 1886? Only time would tell.