175 years of the little blue box: Fun facts about Tiffany and Co.

This year, Tiffany and Co. celebrates its 175th anniversary, confirming our wild suspicion that diamonds—particularly ones in a certain robin’s egg blue box—are truly a girl’s best friend. The famous jeweler’s stones have been featured 48 times on the silver screen (who could forget Marylin Monroe swooning over them in Gentleman Prefer Blondes and first graced the pages of Brides in 1938!

4.98 dollars

The first day's sales at Tiffany and Young

That would be just 125.86 dollars today! Before it was Tiffany and Co., the store—originally Tiffany and Young—was a stationery and fancy goods emporium in New York City. In 1940, Tiffany moved its flagship to the current location on Fifth Avenue, and today Tiffany and Co. has over 240 stores around the world—and counting.

©Brides

1 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co

48

The number of Tiffany appearances on the silver screen

Including a shout-out in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953) and Daisy Buchanan's sparkler in Baz Luhrmann's long-awaited "The Great Gatsby" (2013)

2 of 14 Warner Bros. Pictures

28

The number of Tiffany TV appearances

Perhaps Tiffany's most memorably small-screen moment was back in 2000 on Sex and The City, when Trey MacDougal tried to redeem himself after an anti-climactic marriage acceptance to fiancée Charlotte York with a 2.7-carat engagement ring from Tiffany.

3 of 14 Courtesy of HBO

1837

The year robin's egg blue made its debut

The now-ubiquitous robin's egg blue has made a gradual, deep seep into the American psyche. Why that particular hue? It was Empress Eugenie's favorite shade. Napoleon III's wife, she was a fashion plate imitated the world over. Additionally, turquoise gems were extremely popular in the 19th century. In fact, Victorian brides often gave their bridesmaids dove-shaped brooches in that color. Today, it's been said that the mere act of holding a little blue box makes a woman's heart beat a lot faster.

4 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co

40 dollars

The cost of a Tiffany engagement ring in 1896

Adjusted for inflation, that'd be just over a grand today. Sound like pocket change? Contrary to popular belief, you can find an affordable ring at Tiffany today—somewhere in the ballpark of 1,000-1,500 dollars.

5 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co.

1853

The year Tiffany changed its name

Charles Lewis Tiffany assumed control of the company and renamed it from Tiffany & Young to Tiffany & Co. The logo has changed since—but only rarely.

6 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co

108

Number of years Tiffany has been a celebrity favorite

Trailblazing First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1904), septuagenarian diva Barbra Streisand (1997), and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker (2008) all said "Yes" to a Tiffany engagement ring.

7 of 14 Getty Images and Corbis

30

The average number of yearly proposals at the Fifth Ave flagship

This Tiffany ad, from 1966, is one successful example of the many campaigns that perpetuated the diamond ring as a symbol of eternal love and fidelity—a trend that began in 1477 with Archduke Maximilian of Austria's marriage proposal.

8 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co.

1886

The year Tiffany launched his namesake setting

It's still the most coveted style for betrothed ladies around the globe today, but what's so special about it? Prior to 1886, diamond rings were set in bezels—their stone's twinkle hidden. Tiffany's new six-prong design lifted the solitaire away from the band for maximum sparkle.

9 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co.

1 in 400,000

The number of one-carat-plus diamonds that are blue

With all due respect to the Duchess of Cambridge and her classic sapphire, a blue diamond's the way to go for a truly rare "something blue." It's more durable (the diamond is still the hardest substance known to man) and has a higher refractive index (read: more sparkly!) than sapphires.

"Anniversary Blue" ring, price upon request, Tiffany

10 of 14 Courtesy of Tiffany and Co