Audrey Hepburn A-Z: T is for...

T is for... Tiffany Diamond! 

via hepburny

Audrey Hepburn is one of only a few women in the world to have worn this large yellow diamond. Let's learn more about its history. 

The Tiffany Diamond was discovered in a mine in South Africa in 1877 and sold the following year to Charles Tiffany, the famed jeweler. He gave it to his gemologist, George Frederick Kunz, to cut it down from its original 287 carats to maximize its brillance at 128 carats. It is one of the largest yellow diamond ever discovered, and cemented Tiffany's status. 

According to the Tiffany & Co. website, the diamond was "[c]ut to enhance its radiant color rather than size, the diamond sparkles as if lit by an inner flame." And though it was one of the most famous gems in history and had travelled the world for exhibitions, it had never been publicly worn until 1957. 

via paradionline

Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, Chair of the Tiffany Ball in Newport, Rhode Island, wore the Tiffany Diamond set in a white diamond necklace. Audrey Hepburn was the second woman to wear the Tiffany Diamond, in 1961. 

via Vogue Australia

Audrey, who landed the lead role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, shot a series of publicity photos for the film with the famed diamond on an intricate necklace. In some photos she appears with Tiffany's great-grandson, Henry B. Platt, who adjusts the necklace for her. 

Although she shot the publicity photos and even filmed scenes in front of and inside the flagship store, not once does Holly Golightly actually wear any Tiffany jewelry in the film. 

via theadventurine

The next woman lucky enough to sport this magnificent diamond was Lady Gaga at the Academy Awards ceremony in 2019. Lady Gaga had been nominated for Best Actress that year, for A Star is Born (a remake I loathe because Bradley Cooper annoys me but enough people seemed to like so...), and shocked everyone when she appeared on the red carpet in a simple black dress (as simple as Alexander McQueen can be, anyway) with the Tiffany Diamond set on a diamond drop necklace. 

A Tiffany & Co. rep said of Lady Gaga, "Lady Gaga is the ultimate creator, innovator and rule breaker, and I’m thrilled that she will be wearing the legendary Tiffany Diamond on the awards show red carpet for the first time since it was discovered 141 years ago." 

Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman herself, will become the fourth woman to wear it when the upcoming film Death on the Nile is released: her character, a socialite, wears it on another diamond necklace setting in the film. 

via idexonline

This will be the first time the Tiffany Diamond appears on film. 

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Would you wear the Tiffany Diamond if given the chance? I would, but I'd be terrified every second! What other famous jewels would you like to own? 

Come back soon for the letter U!