Romancing the stone: Tiffany & Co. celebrates 175 years

1837 - Tiffany & Co., a small fancy-goods emporium in New York City, opens its doors and sells patrons everything from horsewhips to sugar plums.

1845 - The first Blue Book catalogue, a collection of extraordinary jewels, is published.

1878 - Tiffany & Co. purchases a large rare yellow diamond, from which it cuts the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, and becomes the destination for luxe jewellery.

1880 - The Tiffany Setting diamond engagement ring is introduced and forever changes the way women say yes.

1956 - Jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger joins Tiffany & Co., and his creations are worn by legendary style icons Jacqueline Kennedy, Diana Vreeland and Elizabeth Taylor.

1961 - Tiffany's becomes a household name when Audrey Hepburn describes her fascination in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

1970s - Tiffany & Co. teams up with designer Elsa Peretti for the first of many notable collaborations, including ones with Paloma Picasso and Frank Gehry.

1972 - The Tiffany Diamond was for sale for 24 hours—the price tag, $5 million (the equivalent of $25.8 million today).

2000 - The Tiffany & Co. Foundation is established, focusing on responsible sourcing, industry leadership and charitable giving.

2012 - The Tiffany Diamond is reset in a breathtaking necklace of more than 120 carats. The iconic diamond will complete a world tour and then be on view at the flagship store in N.Y.C.