This brooch is part of Tiffany’s 2018 Blue Book High Jewelry collection, titled “The Four Seasons of Tiffany.” Inspired by the lightness of summer and the fleeting grace of butterflies, the piece captures the vibrancy of nature in full bloom. A group of butterflies seems to flutter in from different directions, encircling a single tanzanite at the center — a vivid scene of midsummer abundance.
At the heart of the brooch lies an emerald-cut tanzanite weighing over 27 carats, its elongated silhouette emphasizing the gem’s crystalline clarity. Known for its strong pleochroism, tanzanite reveals shifting hues of gray-blue, deep blue, and violet depending on the viewing angle, creating a mesmerizing interplay of color and light.
Around the central gem rest five butterflies in various postures — wings outstretched or gently closed — arranged diagonally to form a harmonious visual balance. Each butterfly’s body is set with marquise-cut sapphires, while the wings are pavé-set with round sapphires, outlined in platinum to accentuate the delicate wing structure. Subtle tonal variations among the sapphires echo the tricolored brilliance of the central tanzanite.
Turning to the back, the brooch reveals a meticulously crafted openwork setting, designed to allow maximum light to pass through the sapphires, illuminating their brilliance from within and bringing the entire composition to life — a perfect embodiment of Tiffany’s artistry in capturing nature’s ephemeral beauty in precious form.
