How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (2024)

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Casual and die-hard football fans alike are familiar with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the gleaming, football-shaped prize awarded annually to the Super Bowl champions. It's been a focal point of every Super Bowl celebration since the early days of the big game. The trophy has featured prominently in some legendary sports photos. And is often kissed by the victors. But most people don't know much about where the iconic trophy comes from ... ... or how it's made. The stunning piece is a creation of Tiffany & Co., the iconic luxury jewelry brand based in New York City. Though the company behind the iconic Blue Box may seem like an odd match for football, Tiffany is actually behind many of the most legendary trophies in sports. The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy of the NBA, Commissioner's Trophy of MLB, US Open singles trophies, WNBA championship trophy, PGA Tour FedExCup trophy, and dozens more all come from the brand. Tiffany took on responsibility for the Lombardi Trophy from the very first Super Bowl. Ahead of Super Bowl I in 1967, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle contacted Tiffany —and only Tiffany —to come up with a design for the trophy. Tiffany & Co. design chief Oscar Riedener —a Swiss native who knew little about football — is said to have come up with the blueprint of a football atop a kicking tee while eating breakfast in his home. A few days later, Riedener drew the design on a co*cktail napkin while eating lunch with Rozelle. His vision continues to be the symbol of triumph in the NFL 57 years later. The first version of the iconic trophy was made in Newark, New Jersey. Subsequent iterations were crafted by the company just down the road in Parsippany, New Jersey. The trophy received its official name ahead of Super Bowl V in 1971. It was named for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls. He died in September 1970. The trophy is now handcrafted in Tiffany's Cumberland, Rhode Island, hollowware workshop. Silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers spend roughly four months creating the masterpiece each year. The process starts in a furnace, where sterling silver is heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and melted in preparation for shaping. Molding, shaping, and carving come next —with heat added to maintain pliability. Polishing is essential to generating the trophy's signature shine. Subtle details —like the football's laces —are then hammered into the precious metal. And others are etched into the silver. Many long hours and four legacy silversmithing techniques later, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is ready for football's greatest stage. The only question now is whose hands it'll land in this year: the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes or the San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy? FAQs References
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How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (1)

  • Each year, the NFL's 32 teams kick off the season with an eye on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
  • The shiny Tiffany & Co. creation is an iconic sterling-silver masterpiece.
  • It takes four months and countless master silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers to craft.

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Casual and die-hard football fans alike are familiar with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the gleaming, football-shaped prize awarded annually to the Super Bowl champions.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (2)

It's been a focal point of every Super Bowl celebration since the early days of the big game.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (3)

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The trophy has featured prominently in some legendary sports photos.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (4)

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But most people don't know much about where the iconic trophy comes from ...

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (6)

... or how it's made.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (7)

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The stunning piece is a creation of Tiffany & Co., the iconic luxury jewelry brand based in New York City.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (8)

Though the company behind the iconic Blue Box may seem like an odd match for football, Tiffany is actually behind many of the most legendary trophies in sports.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (9)

Advertisem*nt

The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy of the NBA, Commissioner's Trophy of MLB, US Open singles trophies, WNBA championship trophy, PGA Tour FedExCup trophy, and dozens more all come from the brand.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (10)

Tiffany took on responsibility for the Lombardi Trophy from the very first Super Bowl.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (11)

Advertisem*nt

Ahead of Super Bowl I in 1967, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle contacted Tiffany —and only Tiffany —to come up with a design for the trophy.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (12)

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tiffany & Co. design chief Oscar Riedener —a Swiss native who knew little about football — is said to have come up with the blueprint of a football atop a kicking tee while eating breakfast in his home.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (13)

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Advertisem*nt

A few days later, Riedener drew the design on a co*cktail napkin while eating lunch with Rozelle. His vision continues to be the symbol of triumph in the NFL 57 years later.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (14)

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

The first version of the iconic trophy was made in Newark, New Jersey. Subsequent iterations were crafted by the company just down the road in Parsippany, New Jersey.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (15)

Advertisem*nt

The trophy received its official name ahead of Super Bowl V in 1971. It was named for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls. He died in September 1970.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (16)

Source: NFL

The trophy is now handcrafted in Tiffany's Cumberland, Rhode Island, hollowware workshop.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (17)

Source: WPRI

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Silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers spend roughly four months creating the masterpiece each year.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (18)

Source: NBC Philadelphia

The process starts in a furnace, where sterling silver is heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and melted in preparation for shaping.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (19)

Advertisem*nt

Molding, shaping, and carving come next —with heat added to maintain pliability.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (20)

Polishing is essential to generating the trophy's signature shine.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (21)

Advertisem*nt

Subtle details —like the football's laces —are then hammered into the precious metal.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (22)

And others are etched into the silver.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (23)

Advertisem*nt

Many long hours and four legacy silversmithing techniques later, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is ready for football's greatest stage.

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (24)

The only question now is whose hands it'll land in this year: the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes or the San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy?

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (25)

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How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize (2024)

FAQs

How Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi Trophy and other things you might not have known about the NFL's biggest prize? ›

Silversmiths, metal spinners, and engravers spend roughly four months creating the masterpiece each year. The process starts in a furnace, where sterling silver is heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and melted in preparation for shaping. It takes temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt sterling silver.

What jewelry makes the Lombardi Trophy? ›

Since the first Super Bowl back in 1967, Tiffany & Co. has made the annual Vince Lombardi Trophy for the winning team. Lombardi, who led the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowls I and II, is a legend in football coaching for his leadership and instructional capabilities.

What trophies are made by Tiffany? ›

In 1888, Tiffany created the first world championship baseball trophy, the Hall Championship Cup. Tiffany also designed the All-Star Home Run Derby trophy and The Commissioner's Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the MLB World Series.

How do they make the Lombardi Trophy? ›

The trophy is a testament to Tiffany's highly skilled artisans. Its workers used a variety of techniques to create the trophy, including spinning, silversmithing, hand engraving, and polishing. The trophy is created over the course of four months and requires a total of 72 hours of labor, said Tiffany & Co.

How much does the Tiffany Super Bowl trophy cost? ›

The trophy costs a total of $50,000 to make. The entire process takes four months and 72 hours to construct. The value of the Lombardi Trophy is $10,000, however, many deem the award priceless.

Does Tiffany make the Lombardi Trophy? ›

They handcraft the Vince Lombardi trophy and over 100 other trophies each year at the Tiffany & Co. hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Does Tiffany and Co make the NBA trophy? ›

Tiffany & Co. has produced the NBA Bill Russell Trophy since 2005. Redesigned in 2022, the trophy stands at 17.25 inches tall, weighs 11 pounds and is crafted in gold vermeil.

What is the most expensive item at Tiffany and Co? ›

In Dubai, the jeweler unveiled its latest and most valuable creation for sale, the World's Fair Necklace, valued between $20 and $30 million. The necklace is a behemoth treasure bejeweled with a total of 578 diamonds, all set in platinum.

Why is Tiffany platinum so expensive? ›

Since the brand's creation, Tiffany & Co. has been synonymous with exceptional quality, creativity and luxury. You are not only paying premium prices for the high-quality materials and craftsmanship that go into every piece of jewelry, but also for the Tiffany name and their iconic little blue box.

Why is Tiffany glass so special? ›

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) transformed the glass world with his patented Favrile process, which created a shimmering, iridescent effect, in the 1890s. More than a century later, Tiffany remains a household name, conjuring images of iridescent stained-glass windows and lighting.

Is there 1 Lombardi Trophy? ›

Is There Only 1 Lombardi Trophy Each Year? There's only one official trophy made each year, which remains with the team. Smaller replicas created (worth about $1,000 each) and distributed to all the players, in addition to the Super Bowl rings.

How much is a Lombardi Trophy worth? ›

Each winning team retains the trophy for life, valued at over $10,000, while players receive mini replicas worth around $1,500.

Who owns the most expensive Super Bowl ring? ›

Lawrence Taylor, LB An East Coast collector bought Taylor's ring as part of a collection of championship rings from various sports in a 2012 auction. The sale price — $230,401 — is the highest known price paid for a Super Bowl ring from a player. "It's Super Bowl.

What quarterback legend never got a Super Bowl ring? ›

Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino is arguably the most prolific passer in NFL history, but he lost his lone Super Bowl game.

How much is a Super Bowl ring worth today? ›

The rings are typically made of yellow or rose gold; the 2010 Packers broke tradition, opting for theirs to be set in platinum. They're not free: The cost per Super Bowl ring can run anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000. The New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX rings, for instance, cost $36,500 each.

Who gets to keep the Vince Lombardi Trophy? ›

Do NFL teams get to keep the Lombardi Trophy? Yes, they do. The NFL casts a new trophy every year to award to the Super Bowl champion. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have the most Lombardi Trophies with six.

How much is a Super Bowl ring worth? ›

They're not free: The cost per Super Bowl ring can run anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000. The New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX rings, for instance, cost $36,500 each. A full set of rings for a team can cost upwards of $5 million. Who pays for them: The NFL contributes $5,000 per ring for the first 150 rings.

Who makes Super Bowl rings? ›

Who makes the Super Bowl rings? Most of the time that would be Jostens. The jeweler, perhaps better known for its high school and college ring business, has made 38 of the 57 Super Bowl rings, including the very first, which was designed by Vince Lombardi himself. Other rings have been made by Balfour and Tiffany's.

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