The Quilted Difference: A Brief History of A.JAFFE's Quilted Masterpieces

In 1892 when Abraham Jaffe founded his first artisanal jewelry shop in Manhattan, he was just 26 years old. Despite his young age, he showed a unique talent for designing and crafting gorgeous custom jewelry, soon expanding the A.JAFFE brand to West 47th Street, in the now-famous Diamond District. 

Among the signature features that launched A.JAFFE into global renown was his use of the luxurious quilted shank. Years before 'Coco' Chanel thought of quilting handbags or leather saddles, Jaffe was perfecting this art, bespoke of luxury and elegance.

For the first time in recorded history, Jaffe introduced the world to the iconic quilted jewelry design. On the outside, a quilted ring epitomizes luxury and taste. When featured on the inside, a quilted interior also serves a far more utilitarian function. 

In jewelry-making, a quilted shank provides ultimate comfort to the ring-wearer—the sculpted diamond patterns allow air flow so fingers can breathe. A.JAFFE's patented Quilted™Interior design also requires folding and compressing precious metals, which provide for a more dense, solid ring. 

From his New York beginning, Jaffe soon became celebrated for pairing cutting-edge innovation and craftsmanship, designing exquisite jewelry pieces that mimicked fine art. It's not surprising he would quickly gravitate to a quilted design since, in 19th-century Americana, quilts had become emblematic of elegance, art, and function. 

Quilt-making was first introduced in America in the 17th century when Dutch and English settlers brought with them the creative art. Quilting allowed for thicker, denser bed coverings, but it was the elegance of fine needlework that set this tradition apart. As an expression of both talent and function, hand-crafted quilt bed-coverings would mark a historic impact across every culture in the Americas.

Though quilting as an art form is nearly as old as recorded time.  The earliest known use of quilted designs has been traced to 3400 B.C. in Egypt, where a quilted vestment was found adorning the carved figure of a pharaoh. Quilting would later be used to provide comfort and warmth to Medieval knights, as padded garments under their armor.

The adaptive art of quilting, visible throughout our shared human history, greatly influenced young artisan-jeweler Jaffe. Using the best technology available at the turn of the century, he began crafting custom masterpieces, bringing the diamond-designed quilt to engagement rings, and launching a sensation that would impact American and international bridal industries for generations to come.

Nearly 130 years have passed, and A.JAFFE's timeless traditions have only improved with technology.  Every A.JAFFE quilted engagement ring is custom-made for the person who will wear it. Each ring is a work of fine art that takes approximately two weeks to complete and comes with a lifetime warranty. 

Unique and iconic, A.JAFFE's quilted creations are as exquisitely crafted on the inside as they are on the outside. Each piece, a masterpiece of luxury, design, and craft designed to reflect true love—thus, to be admired and cherished both inside and out. The diamond-quilted interior is as beautiful as it is functional, giving the ring-wearer a perfect fit that allows airflow and breathability to the skin. 

On every A.JAFFE Quilted Interior engagement ring the combination of precious metals—rose gold, gold, platinum, palladium, and more—is expertly crafted to ensure a true work of art. Paired with A.JAFFE's patented Signature Shanks™, solitaires and engagement rings are weighted perfectly so the wearer never needs to turn or twist the ring to keep the diamond setting centered. 

 You can be sure that very few things improve in value with age—except true love and A.JAFFE's timeless creations. Hypoallergenic and a luxurious fit—these rings say I Love You and mean it. Find out for yourself what it means to hold infinity in the palm of your hand.