Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 2011 Holiday Pendant Carnelian Diamond
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33302302 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2011 Model VCARO24V00 Serial Number JB2217** Metal 18k Rose Gold Stones Carnelian, Diamond Weight 6.96 g Length 42 cm Width 1.5 cm ...
Carnelian, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Turquoise White Gold Butterfly Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous ring from the iconic Lucky Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels is crafted in 18k white gold and features the classic butterfly motif set with blue turquoise.
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Bracelet Tiger's Eye Carnelian
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33302138 Comes With Full Set (Pouch + Card) Date 2018 Model VCARN5JQ00 Serial Number JA2376** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Tiger's Eye, Carnelian Weight 18.85 g Length 20 cm Cond...
Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Malachite Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Introducing the Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Malachite Earrings – a bold expression of timeless elegance, perfect for the discerning jewelry enthusiast.
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra 4 Motif MOP Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from the Pure Alhambra collection is crafted in 18k white gold and features 4 lucky clover motifs beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Vintage Alhambra 10 Motif Necklace VCARA42700
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An iconic 18k yellow gold and onyx Van Cleef and Arpels necklace from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of 10 iconic 4 leaf clover motifs, each set with a beade...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Chalcedony Vintage Alhambra Necklace VCARD34800
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k white gold chalcedony necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The necklace has 10 motifs, each set with a chalcedony inlay and comple...
Chalcedony, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Malachite Vintage Alhambra Earrings VCARO3QL00
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An elegant pair of 18k yellow gold malachite Van Cleef & Arpels earrings from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The earrings feature the iconic 4-leaf clover motif, with a malachi...
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
A timeless expression of elegance, this authentic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Ring is masterfully crafted in 18K yellow gold and features the Maison’s iconic clover motif, symbol...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Sweet Alhambra Blue Turquoise Butterfly Earrings Certificate
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous authentic Van Cleef & Arpels earrings from the iconic Pure Alhambra feature the classic butterfly design with beaded edges crafted in 18k white gold and set with b...
Turquoise, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 2020 Guilloche Vintage Alhambra Holiday Pendant VCARP6L800
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A limited edition 18k white gold Guilloche and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant from the 2020 Holiday collection.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 10 Motif Alhambra Carnelian Yellow Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
An iconic expression of timeless elegance, this authentic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace is exquisitely crafted in 18K yellow gold and adorned with ten vibrant carnelian qu...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage Alhambra holiday pendant 2023 Obsidian
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, England
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra holiday pendant 2023 Obsidian and diamond.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Transformable 15 Motif Magic Alhambra Necklace VCARPGV200
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous and versatile 18k rose gold necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace can either be worn as a long 15-motif necklace or transformed i...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Turquoise Lucky Alhambra Butterfly Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k white gold turquoise ring from the Lucky Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels. The ring is set with an off-centre butterfly motif and a turquoise inlay that ...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage 'Alhambra' Diamond and Lapis Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage 'Alhambra' Diamond and Lapis Necklace This neckace has 20 clover motifs (10 with lapis and 10 with diamonds all in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Yellow Gold Red Agate Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
A timeless icon of refined elegance, these authentic Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Earrings are exquisitely crafted in 18K yellow gold and showcase the Maison’s legendary f...
Agate, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Malachite Alhambra Bracelet, 7"
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your jewelry collection with the exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Bracelet, crafted from luxurious 18k yellow gold and adorned with five stunning malachite clovers.
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Blue Sevres Porcelain Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
This piece forms part of the Magic Alhambra collection and features pendant with a deep blue Sevres porcelain centre encased by a beaded bordering around the outer edge before being ...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Byzantine Alhambra Necklace In 18k White Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Byzantine Alhambra Necklace In 18k White Gold. The necklace consists of 23 clover shape open links alternating with 23 oval shape open links.
White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This classic Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra bracelet is crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with black onyx.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra White Mother of Pearl 18K Gold Pendant
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pendant is crafted in 18K gold and set with luminous white mother of pearl.
Pearl, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloche Diamond 18K White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant necklace is crafted in 18K white gold and accented with diamonds, featuring the Maison's iconic four-leaf clover-inspired Alh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Sweet Alhambra Pendant
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Sweet Alhambra Pendant PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: Z159402 Listing Title: Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Sweet Alhamb...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloche Diamond 18K White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant necklace is crafted in 18K white gold and accented with diamonds, featuring the Maison's iconic four-leaf clover-inspired Alh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Edition Diamond Red Carnelian Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Holiday Edition pendant necklace is crafted in 18K rose gold and featuring rich red carnelian accented with a diamond.
Carnelian, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Byzantine Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Long Chain Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This classic long necklace from the iconic Byzantine Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a series of polished gold openwork Alham...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Coral Alhambra Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Coral Ring With 1 Round brilliant cut diamond .06ct F/VS1 Alhambra cut coral Details: Size - 4 3/4 (Resize Available) Width: 15mm...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18K Gold Onyx MOP Watch with Papers
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
An iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet watch crafted in 18K yellow gold and designed as both a fine jewel and timepiece.
Onyx, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Pendant
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Pendant PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: 157902 Listing Title: Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Alh...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Coral 5-Motif Alhambra Bracelet 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A charming example of the Maison's early Alhambra designs, it offers both vintage character and enduring collectibility.
Coral, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
The Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant in 18k Yellow Gold is a masterpiece of elegance and refined craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Tiger Eye Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33302012 Comes With Full Set (Pouch, Card, Invoice) Date 2018 RRP £2,970 Incl. Taxes / €3,500 Incl. Taxes / $3,350 Excl. Taxes Model VCARD38600 Serial Number JA4609** Metal 18k Y...
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Earrings PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: 159031 Listing Title: Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Vintage Al...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloche 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra necklace crafted in solid 18K yellow gold.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Onyx and Diamond Vintage Alhambra Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Onyx and Diamond Vintage Alhambra Ring PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: Z158792 Listing Title: Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Onyx and Diamond Vintage Alh...
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Carnelian Long Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An elegant Magic Alhambra Long Pendant Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold.
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Alhambra Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet with 5 motifs - Classic 4 leaf clover design from Alhambra collection - Onyx - 18K yellow gold - Length 195mm From Van Cleef & Arpe...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Malachite Alhambra Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet with 5 motifs - Classic 4 leaf clover design from Alhambra collection - Malachite - 18K yellow gold - Length 195mm From Van Cleef &...
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Malachite Pendant 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Faithful to the very first Alhambra jewel created in 1968, the Vintage Alhambra creations by Van Cleef & Arpels are distinguished by their unique, timeless elegance.
Malachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Agate & Diamond Vintage Alhambra Reversible Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Agate & Diamond Vintage Alhambra Reversible Ring PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: 158336 Listing Title: Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Agate and Diamo...
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx & Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Baltimore, MD
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx & Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace Metal: 18k yellow gold Weight: 5.11 grams Pendant: 15mm Length: 16.5 inches (42cm) Retail: $ 2,9...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Malachite Yellow Gold 3-Motif Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels earrings from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection feature a 3-motif design of beaded clovers crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with green mal...
Malachite, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Ring 18K Yellow Gold Onyx Diamond
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A refined Vintage Alhambra ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, highlighting the elegance of onyx.
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond 18k White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k White Gold Pendant Necklace. Crafted from 18k white gold, this necklace embodies refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$86,400Sale Price|20% Off
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18K White Gold 20 Motif Turquoise Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra necklace pairs vivid turquoise with 18k white gold in a rhythmic arrangement of 20 clover motifs.
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Lucky Alhambra Charm Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Charming and distinctive, this Lucky Alhambra bracelet blends symbolic motifs with polished designer craftsmanship.
Carnelian, Malachite, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Carnelian Necklace 18K Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Condition signs of wear Accessories Box&Certificates Weight 5.3g Designer Van Cleef & Arpels Exterior Material 18K Gold
Yellow Gold
VCA London Selfridges Limited Edition Alhambra Carnelian Hammered Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33301818 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2018 Model VCARP0QS00 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Carnelian Weight 12.83 g Length 19.5 cm Width 1.5 cm Cond...
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Green Malachite 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Van Cleef & Arpels ring from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection features the classic bead-edged lucky clover design crafted in 18k yellow gold and inlaid with gre...
Malachite, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond 18k White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k White Gold Pendant Necklace. Crafted from 18k white gold, this necklace embodies refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Carnelian Tiger Eye Yellow Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous Van Cleef & Arpels 2-motif drop earrings from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection are crafted in 18k yellow gold and feature lucky clover motifs set with tiger's ...
Carnelian, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Magic Alhambra Mother Of Pearl Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
An exquisite expression of Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic design heritage, these Magic Alhambra earrings capture the maison’s signature four-leaf clover motif in an elegant, elongate...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Butterfly Mother of Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, showcases the elegance of the Alhambra collection with a focus on simplicity and precision.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Butterfly Mother of Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, showcases the elegance of the Alhambra collection with a focus on simplicity and precision.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k White Gold Diamond Magic Alhambra Long Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Iconic Design: Features the signature Magic Alhambra clover motifs, varying in size for a dynamic and asymmetrical aesthetic.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Rose Gold Onyx Magic Alhambra Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant necklace, crafted in 18K rose gold and set with polished black onyx.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond 18k White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k White Gold Pendant Necklace. Crafted from 18k white gold, this necklace embodies refined craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Butterfly Tiger Eye Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33302230 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2018 RRP £3,500 Incl. Taxes / €4,150 Incl. Taxes / $3,950 Excl. Taxes Model VCARD98500 Serial Number JA2268** Metal 18k Yellow Gold...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Vintage Alhambra 10 Motif Necklace VCARF48500
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning 18k white gold Vintage Alhambra necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. The necklace has 10 motifs, each set with a mother-of-pearl inlay and complemented by a beaded outer edge.
18k Gold, White Gold
From the moment the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection launched, it was a sensation.
During the late 1960s, fine jewelry changed. Even the most haute of haute French houses expanded their inventories to include more daytime jewels to match the increasingly casual look of women’s fashion and to suit the 9-to-5 schedule of many who were joining the workforce. In 1969, Cartier launched its diamond-free gold Love bracelet. One year before that, Jacques Arpels came up with the all-gold Alhambra necklace.
Jacques — the nephew of Estelle Arpels, who founded Van Cleef & Arpels with her husband, Alfred, in 1906 — liked to say, “To be lucky, you must believe in luck.” This mantra is embodied in the four-leaf clover motif, which can be found in sketches in the house’s archives dating to the 1910s. The quatrefoil shape also has architectural resonance, found in Gothic and Renaissance structures and, of course, in such Moorish buildings as the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain, which gave its name to the Van Cleef & Arpels line.
The first Alhambra jewel was a long gold chain with 20 gold clovers, the surface of each creased and edged in gold beads. In 1971, the house began making the motif in colorful opaque hard stones, including malachite, lapis lazuli, onyx, coral, tiger’s-eye and turquoise. Today, pieces incorporating these stones and a beaded border are referred to as Vintage Alhambra.
The easy-to-wear necklaces were exactly what women wanted to elevate their button-down blouses and wrap dresses. The jewels’ appeal spanned decades and generations. In April 1969, the 26-year-old Swedish actress Britt Ekland donned the original Alhambra gold style for the cover of Vogue. French actress Romy Schneider was around 36 when she sported an onyx and gold version in the provocative 1974 French film Le mouton enragé (Love at the Top), depicting relationships during the sexual revolution. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, stepped onto the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards in 2020 wearing a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace and matching earrings. The iconic designs were immediately recognizable to serious jewelry lovers and casual fans alike.
Find Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry 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 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.
These flowers will never wilt.
The classic ’60s design has become particularly popular among sporty types.
Day or night, the vintage jewels make a statement.
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?
The tiny lovers inch closer together by the hour and minute until they finally embrace on a world-famous bridge.
Watchmakers have tucked their movements into all manner of precious baubles, from lapel pins to cocktail rings. The result is dazzling, wearable art that will get you to the party on time.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
The lucky-charm style has been around for more than 50 years, and British royals are still drawn to it.