Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18k White Gold and Diamonds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 9.40 mm, Width: 9.40 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K White Gold and Diamonds Exterior...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: Measurements: Height/Length: 9.20 mm, Width: 9.20 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx Exterior Color: Yellow Gol...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Rose Gold and Carnelian
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: Measurements: Height/Length: 9.25 mm, Width: 9.25 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Rose Gold and Carnelian Exterior Color: Rose Go...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 0.36 ", Width: 0.36 " Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx Exterior Colo...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Mother of Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Part of the Sweet Alhambra collection, these Van Cleef & Arpels earrings are dainty beauties that will elevate any outfit.
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 7.85 mm, Width: 7.90 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx Exterior Co...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 7.85 mm, Width: 7.90 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx Exterior Co...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 9.30 mm, Width: 9.30 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother of Pearl E...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 9.30 mm, Width: 9.30 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother of Pearl E...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings 18K Yellow Gold with Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 8.00 mm, Width: 8.75 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings 18K Yellow Gold with Mother of Pear...
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 9.60 mm, Width: 9.60 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Sweet Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother of Pearl ...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond White Gold Earrings JaneFinds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in NYC Tri-State/Miami, NY
"Vintage Alhambra" clover-shaped earclips, with pavé-set round diamonds weighing approximately 1.02 total carats, mounted in 18k white gold with a beaded frame, with omega-style clip...
White Diamond, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 11.10 mm, Width: 11.10 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Pure Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother of Pearl...
Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: Measurements: Height/Length: 11.20 mm, Width: 11.20 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Pure Alhambra Stud Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother of Pearl Exterior Color...
Van Cleef & Arpels Extra Large Magic Alhambra Turquoise Yellow Gold Earrings New
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Magic Alhambra Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Dimensions: 20.1 x 20.1 mm Stone: Turquoise Signature: VCA Hallmark: 750 Serial N...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Mother of Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
A feminine flair and a chic appeal characterize these stunning Van Cleef and Arpels earrings. Sculpted from high grade materials they will look beautiful when you style them with you...
Classic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18 Karat Earrings in Original Box
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These elegantl Van Cleef & Arpel earrings are from the "Vintage Alhambra" Collection.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx 18k Gold Clip Earrings.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: Measurements: Height/Length: 15.00 mm, Width: 14.75 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Onyx Exterior Color: Yellow Gold...
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold & Mother-of-Pearl "Alhambra" Earclips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Alhambra" earclips, with white mother-of-pearl clover-shaped centers, mounted in polished 18k yellow gold, with clip backs and posts, the earrings numbered CL22949 and CL22901 respe...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS VCA "Lucky Alhambra" Hardstone Gold Necklace Earrings Set
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York , NY
100% AUTHENTIC VAN CLEEF & ARPELS "LUCKY ALHAMBRA" 18K Gold Hardstone Necklace Earrings Set.
Carnelian, Malachite, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Diamond Pave Earrings set in 18k White Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
ORIGINAL RETAIL PRICE: $27,700.00 + SALES TAX Created in 2006 by Van Cleef & Arpels, the Magic Alhambra jewelry creations gather different-sized Alhambra motifs, coming together in ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Earrings 18 Karat Gold with Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 1.75", Width: 0.8" Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Lucky Alhambra Earrings 18K Yellow Gold with Mother of Pearl and Tiger...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18 Kt. Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl Onix Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Rome, IT
18 kt. yellow gold earrings signed by Van Cleef & Arpels. This icon pair of earrings is designed with 3 flowers made of white and grey mother of pearl and onyx. Comes with the origin...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Mother of Pearl Large Yellow Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Magic Alhambra Style: Motif Earrings Metal Type: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Stone: White Mother of Pearl Earring Size ...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise Mother-of-Pearl Lucky Alhambra Earclips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Lucky Alhambra" two-motif drop earclips, with clover-shaped mother-of-pearl top suspending a butterfly-shaped turquoise bottom, mounted in 18k white gold, with omega-style clips and...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Mother-of-Pearl "Vintage Alhambra" Earclips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Vintage Alhambra" mother-of-pearl earclips, with clip backs and screw-in posts, individually numbered and signed by Van Cleef & Arpels. 15mm diameter motifs (approximately 0.6").
Chalcedony, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: Measurements: Height/Length: 14.90 mm, Width: 14.85 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K Yellow Gold and Mother of Pearl Exterior Color: ...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Accessories: No Accessories Measurements: Height/Length: 15.00 mm, Width: 15.00 mm Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Earrings 18K White Gold and Mother of Pearl Ex...
A pair of 18kt gold "Alhambra" Earrrings, by Van Cleef & Arpels
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of large gold "Alhambra" earrings of open design, with pierced fittings Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, dated 1998, #CU0652
Van Cleaf & Arpels Vintage Onyx Gold Alhambra Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Ever so in Vouge these VCA 18KT yellow gold "Alhambra" Onyx Earrings. These are timeless!
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise Sweet Alhambra Clover 18k White Gold Mini Ear Studs
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Brilliance Jewels, Miami Questions? Call Us Anytime! 786,482,8100 Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Sweet Alhambra Style: Mini Ear Studs Metal: White Gold Metal Purity:...
Turquoise, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Gold Earrings
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of 18k rose gold earrings from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Mother-of-Pearl and 18 Carat White Gold Ear Clips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
A pair of Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra mother-of-pearl and 18ct white gold ear clips. Each ear clip with singular mother-of-pearl motif. Set in 18ct white gold. Each clip marked &qu...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra Coral Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brand Name: Van Cleef & Arpels
Series: Alhambra Vintage
Style (Gender): Womens
Setting Material: 18K Yellow Gold "Beaded" Border
Precious Stone: Coral
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Effeuillage Drop Earrings Wirh Red Carnelian
Located in Surfside, FL
ESTIMATED RETAIL $7,000.00 - YOUR PRICE $6,300.00 - Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Effeuillage drop earrings featuring red carnelian stone with 0.17 carats of round brilliant cut ...
Carnelian, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold-tone Heart Alhambra Stud Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Irvine, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels earrings feature gold-tone hardware in the shape of heart and stud closures. 67503MSC
Sold|$3,500
VCA VINTAGE ALHAMBRA Ear Clips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
18k gold Vintage Alhambra Ear Clips. The "MUST HAVE" Earrings
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k yellow gold small Sweet Alhambra earrings, crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels. Retail $2450.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Onyx Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels The Magic Alhambra 18KT yellow gold Onyx Alhambra Earrings with post & omega backs.
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Onyx Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Iconic 18k yellow gold Alhambra earrings, set with onyx, crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Coral Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of 18k yellow gold iconic Alhambra earrings, crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with coral.
Coral, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Gold Vintage Alhambra Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of 18k yellow gold earrings set with onyx. Crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels for their famous Vintage Alhambra collection, the earrings measure 15mm x 15mm and weigh 8.9 grams.
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli Magic Alhambra Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
DESIGNER: Van Cleef & Arpels COLLECTION: Magic Alhambra METAL: 18k Yellow Gold STONES: Lapis Lazuli STONE DIMENSIONS: smaller motif (12.60 x 14.92 mm) ; larger motif (17.25 x 20...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$4,400
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Earclips
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earclips. Yellow Gold and White Mother of Pearl. White mother-of-pearl is outlined by yellow gold to give these earclips a timeless elegance. Clip backs, ...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Lapis Lazuli Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Brand = Van Cleef & Arpels Gemstone = Lapis Lazuli Metal = 18K Yellow Gold Condition = Excelent Jewelry Gift Box Included
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Lapis Lazuli Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Brand = Van Cleef & Arpels Gemstone = Lapis Lazuli Metal = 18K Yellow Gold Condition = Excelent Jewelry Gift Box Included
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Large Onyx Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of large Magic Alhambra onyx earrings, crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Diamond Malachite Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of iconic 18k gold Magic Alhambra earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with 0.96ctw in FG/VVS diamonds and malachite.
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Mother-of-Pearl 'Sweet Alhambra' Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Pair of 18 karat gold and mother-of-pearl 'Sweet Alhambra' butterfly stud earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, each set with carved mother-of-pearl, measuring 1/4 by 3/8 inch, gross wei...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Onyx Earrings 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Inspired by the clover leaf, these icons of luck are adorned with a border of golden beads. Vintage Alhambra Earrings Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Metal = 18K Yellow Gold
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Mother of Pearl Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of 18k yellow gold earrings from the iconic "Vintage Alhambra" collection by Van Cleef & Arpels.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Mother of Pearl Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of iconic Magic Alhambra earrings, crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with mother of pearl in 18k yellow gold.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Turquoise White Gold Earrings, Rare
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Style: 1 Motif Studs Stones: Turquoise Onyx Metal Type: White Gold Metal Purity: 18k Total Item Weight (grams): 8.0 ...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Mother of Pearl Drop Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
BRAND: Van Cleef & Arpels COLLECTION: Alhambra STONE: White Mother of Pearl METAL: Yellow Gold METAL PURITY: 18k CLOSURE: Omega post
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Red Carnelian Gold Earring Studs
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Brilliance Jewels, Miami Questions? Call Us Anytime! 786,482,8100 Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Style: Drop Dangle Stones: 2 Red Carnelian Stones Met...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,720
Van Cleef Sweet Alhambra Earstuds 18k Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Round brilliant cut, 100% natural earth mined diamonds. Brand: Van Cleef Arpels. The Sweet Alhambra jewelry creations by Van Cleef & Arpels have featured delightful lucky motifs in m...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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 Arpels. 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.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.
Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.
Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.
While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.