Unearthed in 1877 in the Kimberley Mines of South Africa, a rough diamond was considered among the most important gemstone discoveries of the 19th century. A year later Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased the stone, solidifying his jewellery house's reputation as a diamond authority.
Only three women had previously worn the Tiffany Diamond, and Beyoncé is the fourth, who shines like the precious stone in the "About Love" campaign and film launched this month. Moreover, her co-star is JAY-Z and this collaboration with Tiffany & Co is the couple's first appearance together in a campaign.
Beyoncé dons a black gown illuminated by a necklace adorned with the Fancy Yellow diamond, which weighs 128.54 carats and boasts an unprecedented 82 facets.
Mary Whitehouse first wore the Tiffany Diamond in a lavish necklace set for the 1957 Tiffany Ball in Newport, Rhode Island.
The priceless gem was later re-set in a Jean Schlumberger necklace of diamond ribbons that graced Audrey Hepburn in publicity photographs for the 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany's.
For the company's 175th anniversary, it was reimagined in a necklace of white diamonds, totalling over 100 carats. A year in the making, the iconic piece was worn by Lady Gaga to the 91st Annual Academy Awards in 2019.
The Tiffany Diamond weighs 128.54 carats and boasts an unprecedented 82 facets.
In the About Love campaign, Beyoncé also wears otherpieces by the New York based luxury jeweller founded in 1837.
Likewise JAY-Z's sparkling accessories include Jean Schlumberger's Bird on a Rock brooch, reconstructed as a pair of one-of-a-kind cufflinks.
As one of the 20th century's most gifted artists, Schlumberger is renowned for his fantastical creations unrivalled in the world of jewellery design and the Bird on a Rock has been one of his most iconic pieces since the 1960s.
Billed as The Carters, Beyoncé and JAY-Z first collaborated on the album Everything Is Love released in 2018. The powerhouse couple were instrumental in bringing the entire creative vision of About Love campaign to life.
Shot by Mason Poole and styled by June Ambrose and Marni Senofonte, the campaign images are set against the backdrop of the painting Equals Pi (1982) by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
As part of a private collection, the work-of-art makes its first public appearance in About Love. Composed of mathematical equations, text, figures, expressive gestures and symbols, the painting exemplifies Basquiat's raw but methodological approach to art. The colour used in the painting is a close match of the Pantone 1837, also known as Tiffany Blue.
Jean Schlumberger's legendary Bird on a Rock brooch, reimagined as a pair of one-of-a-kind cufflinks.
Next Wednesday Tiffany & Co will release an accompanying film by acclaimed director Emmanuel Adjei. Basquiat's Equals Pi painting reappears throughout the narrative set in a location selected by the couple -- the award-winning Orum House in Los Angeles.
The film is rooted in the idea that, like diamonds, pressure can shape a beautiful love story as well.
Illustrating the synchronised duality between Beyoncé and JAY-Z, flashbacks are interspersed with present moments that let love speak for itself. Stripped down and raw, About Love portrays The Carters' indescribable chemistry through cinematic, dreamlike visuals and stolen moments of intimacy.
In the film and captured by JAY-Z on a Super 8 camera, Beyoncé performs her rendition of the classic song Moon River, from the film Breakfast At Tiffany's.
As a part of the house's partnership with The Carters, Tiffany & Co pledges a US$2 million (65.5 million baht) commitment towards scholarship and internship programmes for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the US, in continuing the brand's support of underrepresented communities.
A Jean Schlumberger Apollo brooch in platinum and 18 carat yellow gold with diamonds.
