Tiffany & Co Showcases the Legendary 128-carat Tiffany Diamond in Beijing

December 17, 2013 by Tricia Oliveira on Senatus

For the first time in China, world-renowned jeweller Tiffany & Co. has brought the brilliance of its design in an exhibition entitled "A Brilliant Legacy", featuring treasured pieces from its archives, including the magnificent 128-carat Tiffany Diamond as it celebrates 175 years as the leading purveyor of fine diamonds.

Unveiled in 1878, the Tiffany Diamond is the finest and most beautiful fancy yellow diamond ever discovered, as well as the only diamond named after Tiffany. Discovered in the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa in 1877, the 287.42-carat rough stone was acquired the following year by Charles Lewis Tiffany and cut into a cushion-shaped brilliant weighing 128.54 carats with an unprecedented 82 facets—24 more facets than the traditional 58-facet brilliant cut.

For Tiffany’s 175th anniversary in 2012, this priceless gem was reset in a magnificent necklace of dazzling white diamonds totaling over 100 carats, including 20 carats of Tiffany’s Lucida® cut diamonds and 58 carats of brilliant cut diamonds.

"The Tiffany Diamond is our greatest icon. It has been the cornerstone of our legacy with its rarity, unrivalled quality, outstanding craftsmanship and excellent design, manifesting the vision of our founder."

"Presenting this legendary icon in Beijing shows our commitment to China, an important strategic market in our development plan," said Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co.

On 7 December, more than 200 guests were hosted at a star-studded gala, attended by actress Carina Lau, who dazzled on the red carpet with the sparkling Tiffany Rhapsody necklace, with diamonds weighing about 30 carats and a centerpiece pendant containing a sparkling 20-carat vivid yellow diamond.

Joining Carina were fellow celebrities Ni Ni, Shu-pei Qin, Liang Zhang, Da-wei Tong, Yue Guan, Joe Chen and Tao Yin.

To add to the festivities, composer Tan Dun, widely known for his scores for the films Croughing Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, composed an original score inspired by the purity and brilliance of the Tiffany Diamond.

At the exhibition held in Beijing, he and his orchestra presented the score for the very first time, recounting the wondrous story of the Tiffany Diamond with the pure notes.