Van Cleef Motif Pure
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Link Necklaces
Onyx, White Gold
Early 2000s Chain Bracelets
Diamond
Early 2000s Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
White Diamond, Platinum
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
2010s French Contemporary Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Band Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Rose Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
2010s French Art Nouveau Charm Bracelets
Carnelian, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
White Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
2010s Pendant Necklaces
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Malachite, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Link Bracelets
Malachite, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
2010s French Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Bracelets
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Link Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Link Bracelets
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Modern Chain Bracelets
White Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Bracelets
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold
2010s French Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Necklace Enhancers
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Charm Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Bracelets
White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French More Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s French More Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s French Modern Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Cufflinks
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American More Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Van Cleef Motif Pure For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Van Cleef Motif Pure?
Van Cleef & Arpels for sale on 1stDibs
One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpel. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Van Cleef & Arpels is so expensive because it is a well-known company that has a fantastic reputation. Van Cleef & Arpels are universally renowned for high quality jewelry with a focus on detail. High-profile fans of the French jewelry house over the years have included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and many more. Find an extraordinary range of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
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