Van Cleef Diamond Butterfly Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3354222496582
Van Cleef & Arpels
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, the 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Van Cleef Snowflake Diamond Drop EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYTotal Carat Weight: Approx. 6.71Ctw Metal: 18Kt Yellow Gold Diamond Color: E-F Diamond Clarity: VVS1 Length: 1.15 Inch long Weight: 30.6 GramsCategory
20th Century Chandelier Earrings
- Van Cleef Trefle Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe ring designed as a quatrefoil flower featuring a large round diamond at the center, the petals pavé set with diamonds. Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.75 carat Sign...Category
2010s Cocktail Rings
- Van Cleef Cadenas Diamond Long NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYStone: Diamonds Approx.5.00Ctw Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Length: 36" Long Weight: 97 Grams Clasp: Box Catch with a Hidden SafetyCategory
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
- Van Cleef Diamond Flower Band RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe ring is 18K White Gold. There are 4.25ct in Diamonds F VVS. The ring has French Maker Marks on the outside of the ring. The ring comes with Certificate of Authenticity. The ring ...Category
2010s Cocktail Rings
- Van Cleef Cosmos Diamond Ring Medium SizeBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels, "Cosmos" medium model diamond ring in 18kt white gold. 18Kt White Gold, 4 petals incrusted with 47 round cut diamonds, center diamond approx. 0.28 Ctw. Total wei...Category
2010s Cocktail Rings
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Flower Socrates Earrings Box/PapersBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Flower Socrates Earrings.Category
2010s Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Darnestown, MDVan Cleef and Arpels pear shaped diamond earrings that are the ultimate in elegant simplicity. The earrings are made of 154 diamonds with a total weight of approximately 7 carats. T...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Yellow Gold Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThese stunning lever-back earrings from the Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels are crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with 16 brilliant-cut diamonds of an estimated 0.56 ...Category
1990s French Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Socrate Earrings, large modelBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis striking Van Cleef & Arpels pair of pierced earrings with French clips from the celebrated Socrate™ jewelry collection feature a delicate floral motif crafted in 18K white gold ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Floral White Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA incredible set of Van Cleef & Arpels diamond white gold earrings, the earrings showcase a floral motif crafted in 18k white gold and are set with 2.35ct of the finest round brillia...Category
2010s Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Woven Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Darnestown, MDVan Cleef and Arpels 18 karat gold hoop earrings made to look braided. The backs are posts and clips with original rubber pads for comfort. The earrings are 5/8" wide and 15/16" long...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lever-Back Earrings
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Lotus Diamond White Gold Large EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThese magnificent floral earrings from the iconic Lotus collection by Van Cleef & Arpels are crafted in 18k white gold and pave-set with round brilliant D-F VVS1-VVS2 diamonds weighi...Category
2010s French Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?