In its early advertising, Tiffany highlighted the practicality and elegance of these key tags. A 1966 advertisement showcased a heart-shaped Return to Tiffany® tag crafted in 14k yellow gold, priced at $11 and presented as an ideal Valentine’s Day gift. The following year, in 1967, Tiffany expanded the design, debuting an oval Return to Tiffany® tag, also in 14k yellow gold, offered at $9. By 1969, marketing efforts featured a heart-shaped tag, still bearing the registered code number, attached to a keychain and priced at $48. This early keychain design foreshadowed the now-iconic chain bracelets featuring the key tag motif that Tiffany would later popularize in the 1990s. The evolution from a functional key return service to a fashion statement was subtly underway.
The familiar tag motif continued to evolve, capturing global attention with each new interpretation. 1980 marked a significant step as Tiffany introduced its first jewelry piece incorporating the Return to Tiffany® tag – a 14k yellow gold heart-shaped pendant suspended from a box chain necklace. Throughout the 1980s, the practicality of the Return to Tiffany® tag persisted with its inclusion on a screwball key ring, demonstrating the collection’s versatility and enduring appeal beyond just jewelry.
The Return to Tiffany® jewelry collection experienced further diversification in 1997 with the introduction of a sterling silver choker featuring an oval Return to Tiffany® tag. Notably, this design iteration omitted the registry number, signaling a shift towards the tag as a design element rather than solely a functional service. In its place, the tag was engraved with “925,” referencing the sterling silver standard that Tiffany championed and which was later adopted across the United States. While the registry numbers made a brief reappearance in the Holiday 2000 Selections Catalog, the direction was set towards iconic design over purely functional purpose.
By the early 2000s, Return to Tiffany® tags, and by extension the tiffany key fob concept, had firmly achieved iconic status. The collection expanded significantly, encompassing a diverse range of jewelry including rings, pendants, cuffs, and earrings, each possessing its unique character but unified by the signature engraved insignia. The Return to Tiffany® collection, originating from a simple tiffany key fob concept, serves as a constant reminder of Tiffany’s unparalleled craftsmanship, its deep-rooted New York City heritage, and the eternally stylish spirit that has defined the brand since its inception in 1837. It’s a testament to how a functional item can evolve into a timeless symbol of luxury and design.
