The short version
- Arthus Bertrand is a French house founded in Paris in 1803, with its own workshops in Saumur and Palaiseau and about 90 artisans. Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York in 1837 and operates at a global scale, with 345 stores.
- Both houses repair jewelry in their own workshops, so in-house repair does not separate them.
- On price, Arthus Bertrand’s entry points are lower in both silver and 18-carat gold in the listings consulted, but no single percentage applies across the range.
- Arthus Bertrand suits shoppers who want engraved medals and gold pieces under 1,000 €. Tiffany suits shoppers who want its iconic collections and a worldwide store network.
Arthus Bertrand vs Tiffany & Co at a glance
This table sums up the main differences, based on each brand’s own website at the time of writing.
| Criterion | Arthus Bertrand | Tiffany & Co. |
| Founded | 1803, Paris | 1837, New York |
| Started as | Publishing house and bookshop | Stationery and fancy goods store |
| Where pieces are made | Own workshops in Saumur and Palaiseau, France | Own workshops, including sites in New York and Rhode Island |
| Team and reach | About 90 artisans, 10 boutiques in France and Belgium | About 4,000 artisans in its workshops, 345 stores worldwide |
| Repairs | In its Saumur workshop, on quote after diagnosis | In Tiffany workshops, estimate sent by email before work |
| Silver price points seen | Medals from 155 €, rings from 290 € | Pendants from 310 €, rings from 470 € |
| 18-carat gold pendants seen | From 380 € | From 1,100 € |
| Signature pieces | Medals, Ribbon and Enlacé collections | Return to Tiffany, Tiffany T, the Tiffany Setting ring |
Is Arthus Bertrand cheaper than Tiffany & Co.?
Arthus Bertrand is cheaper at entry level, but no single percentage holds across the range. On the first page of its silver category, medals were listed from 155 € and rings from 290 €. Tiffany’s French website listed silver pendants from 310 € and rings from 470 €.
The gap widens in 18-carat gold. Arthus Bertrand listed gold pendants from 380 € on the first page of its yellow gold category, and several gold pieces stayed under 1,000 €. The mini Tiffany T Smile pendant in 18-carat gold was listed at 1,100 €. Designs rarely match one to one, so these figures are entry points rather than like-for-like prices.
How do the workshops of Arthus Bertrand and Tiffany & Co. compare?
Both houses make their jewelry in workshops they own, so the real difference is scale. Arthus Bertrand makes the very large majority of its pieces in Saumur and Palaiseau, with about 90 artisans who also craft the house’s own tools for stamping, engraving and enamelling. A single medal can require up to 25 steps, from engraving the die to fitting the bail. Shoppers can explore these French-made medals and jewelry on the brand’s website.
Tiffany & Co. states about 4,000 artisans in its workshops and 345 stores worldwide. That size explains its reach. Arthus Bertrand’s smaller team keeps hand engraving with its master engraver in Saumur.
Who repairs the jewelry, the brand or a third party?
Both brands repair in their own workshops. Arthus Bertrand asks for a first diagnosis in a boutique or through customer service, then sends the piece to its Saumur workshop, where its quality department prepares a quote within several weeks.
Tiffany & Co. describes an estimate from its workshop, emailed within 10 days of receiving the piece, with most services finished within 3 to 4 weeks once the estimate is approved. One detail matters to Arthus Bertrand buyers: the warranty excludes repairs carried out outside the house’s workshops.
How do the histories of the two houses differ?
Arthus Bertrand was founded in Paris in 1803 by Claude Arthus-Bertrand as a bookshop and publishing house, then became known for medals and official decorations. In 1953 it was chosen to make the Grand Collier of the Legion of Honour.
Tiffany & Co. opened in New York in 1837 as a stationery and fancy goods store, and took the Tiffany & Co. name in 1853. The two houses are 34 years apart, and neither started as a jeweler.
Which one should you choose for your profile?
You want an 18-carat gold piece under 1,000 €
Arthus Bertrand is the stronger option here. Several of its 18-carat gold pieces were listed under 1,000 €, while the Tiffany gold pendants seen started at 1,100 €.
You want a recognizable silver icon
Tiffany & Co. fits this profile. Its silver pendants were listed from 310 €, including pieces from the Return to Tiffany collection from 340 €, and its 345 stores make trying a piece on easier.
You want a personalized or symbolic gift
Arthus Bertrand fits best. The first engraving is free on gold jewelry, and medals are the house’s historical specialty.
Our take: is Arthus Bertrand a good alternative to Tiffany & Co.?
Arthus Bertrand is an excellent first choice for shoppers looking for an alternative to Tiffany, for three reasons. Its entry-level prices were lower, for both silver and 18ct gold, according to the price lists we consulted. Approximately 90 artisans craft its pieces in its own French workshops. Furthermore, manufacturing, engraving, and repairs are all carried out within the same workshop in Saumur.
On the other hand, its geographic reach is limited: Arthus Bertrand has only 10 stores in France and Belgium, which means customers living elsewhere must shop online. However, they do ship outside of Europe.
Tiffany & Co. remains the best choice for shoppers seeking its iconic collections and a global network of stores.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arthus Bertrand jewelry really made in France?
Yes, the very large majority of Arthus Bertrand jewelry is made in France. The house manufactures it in its workshops in Saumur and Palaiseau. Specific skills such as heraldic engraving are done with a Parisian master engraver. The brand uses exclusively 18-carat gold (750/1000) and 925 silver.
Does Arthus Bertrand ship to the United States?
Yes, Arthus Bertrand delivers to the United States, Canada and Mexico by UPS. Delivery costs 28.33 € excluding VAT and requires a signature. Outside the European Union, prices are shown without tax, and customs duties and local taxes are charged on arrival. Returns are accepted within 14 days if the piece was not personalized or worn daily.
How can you tell if an Arthus Bertrand piece is authentic?
Three elements attest to authenticity: a certificate, a master’s hallmark and the invoice. Pieces bought from a boutique or an approved reseller come with a certificate of authenticity. Gold and silver carry the Arthus Bertrand master’s hallmark, which also attests to the metal’s fineness. Experts in the house’s boutiques can also authenticate its creations.
Can Arthus Bertrand jewelry be engraved?
Yes, engraving is done in the Saumur workshop, and the first engraving is free on gold jewelry. A second side costs 37 €, and silver or vermeil engraving costs 37 € per location. Hand engraving by the master engraver costs 65 € per location and takes an extra week. Medals of 10 mm or less can only carry one letter or number.
Is Tiffany & Co. still an American company?
Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York and is now part of the LVMH group. LVMH presents the house as one of its maisons, founded in 1837 in New York. The house lists its headquarters in New York.
