Diamonds are Chengdu's best friend

Local elements

The store's interior design celebrates Tiffany's legacy while paying homage to Chengdu's surroundings with several culturally inspired elements.

A chandelier by artist Andreea Braescu, inspired by the magnolia flower, illuminates the space. A constellation ceiling echoing New York City's Grand Central Station is reinterpreted with local motifs, bridging Tiffany's birthplace with its new home in Chengdu.

In a first-floor corner, Mike Hodson, manager of High Jewelry Servicing, who has worked with Tiffany for 14 years, demonstrates a 58-carat amethyst which will be set later in New York to complete the Bird on a Rock. He says this Bird on a Rock is completely handcrafted and takes about three months to complete from the procurement of the main stone to the final stage.

The "All About Love" section on the second floor features an exceptional diamond vitrine design embodying Tiffany's modern and refined aesthetic, including the piece Color & Light, 2024 by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto. The "High Jewelry" salon showcases unique creations in frosted glass pyramid vitrines, inspired by a 1950s Jean Schlumberger design. This floor also houses China's only Tiffany watch salon, highlighting the brand's rich horological legacy.

The journey continues on the third floor, where home, leather accessories and baby items offer an intimate shopping experience. A private lounge and dining room provide clients with a sophisticated reprieve. The lounge features Tiffany Cute, 2024, a masterpiece by Damien Hirst, while the dining room boasts bespoke wallpaper depicting Chengdu Renmin Park, celebrating the local scenery. Sculptures by artist Arik Levy evoke a Chinese bamboo garden and panda chairs by the Campana Brothers add a playful touch to the baby room.

To celebrate the grand opening, the store presents several exceptional window displays including an artistic interpretation of Chengdu Renmin Park, showcasing a glimpse into a lush bamboo forest and revealing Schlumberger's iconic Bird on a Rock motif soaring through layers of verdant foliage. A winding stairway weaves through the trees, leading to a tranquil pond where Schlumberger's celebrated design rests in quiet reflection.

From Monday to May 25, Tiffany will present 38 pieces from the house's archives at the store, including some from the 19th century. Wonders from the Tiffany Archives is a curated selection of archival pieces that share the journey of its nearly 200-year history across three themes — origins, diamonds and Jean Schlumberger. The new Bird on a Pearl collection also debuts.

Chen Jie contributed to this story.