Van Cleef 1 Motif
2010s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Other
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Modern Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Cuff Bracelets
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century French Retro Vanity Items
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Rose Gold
Vintage 1970s British Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s European Retro Signet Rings
18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Peridot, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1820s British Early Victorian Brooches
Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s American Hoop Earrings
Agate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century French More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Stud Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Collectible Jewelry
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Bracelets
18k Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Link Bracelets
18k Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Black Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Van Cleef 1 Motif For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Van Cleef 1 Motif?
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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