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 Vintage Alhambra Pendant 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Vintage Alhambra pendant, 18K yellow gold, round diamonds; diamond quality DEF, IF to VVS.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Mother of Pearl Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in 台東区, JP
An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, featuring the Maison’s iconic four-leaf clover motif.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Chalcedony Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCARD34700
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k white gold bracelet from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels. The bracelet is made up of 5 iconic clover motifs, each set with a beaded edge and a chalcedony...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Guilloche Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCARP9XE00
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning 18k white gold guilloche bracelet from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef and Arpels. The bracelet is made up of 5 of the iconic clover motifs, each set with a b...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCARA41800
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k yellow gold mother-of-pearl bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra Collection. The stylish bracelet is made up of 5 iconic 4-leaf clover motifs, each...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Lucky Alhambra 4 Motif Bracelet VCARD79600
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A lovely 18k yellow gold, Lucky Alhambra bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels. The bracelet features a malachite leaf motif, a mother-of-pearl clover motif, a tiger's eye butterfly mot...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Vintage Alhambra 20 Motif Necklace VCARA43100
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k yellow gold necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The necklace features 20 iconic 4-leaf clover motifs, each set with a beaded edge and ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCARA41800
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k yellow gold mother-of-pearl bracelet by Van Cleef and Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra Collection. The stylish bracelet is made up of 5 iconic 4-leaf clover motifs, ea...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Lapis Lazuli 18k 2 Motif Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous rare collectible vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 2-motif drop earrings from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection are crafted in 18k yellow gold and feature lucky clover...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Carnelian Vintage Alhambra Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Rich red carnelian fills the four-lobed motif of this Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant necklace in 18k yellow gold. The polished stone measures 12.8 x 12.8mm and is framed...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Blue Agate Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet VCARP34900
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold blue agate bracelet from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef and Arpels. The bracelet is made up of 5 of the iconic clover motifs, each set with a beaded ...
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Malachite/ 18k Magic Alhambra Pendant Necklace Receipt & Cert
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 2025 Green Malachite/18k Yellow Gold Magic Alhambra Long Pendant Necklace Year of Production: 2025 Made In: France Materials: Malachite and 18k yellow gold Hallma...
Malachite, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Vintage Alhambra 20 motif Necklace VCARA42100
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning 18k yellow gold mother-of-pearl necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The necklace features 20 iconic 4-leaf clover motifs, each set with a ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 2018 Holiday Van Cleef & Arpels Shell and Diamond Alhambra Pendant
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Van Cleef & Arpels gold shell and diamond Alhambra pendant necklace set in 18k yellow gold from 2018.
Diamond
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Carnelian & Diamond Vintage Alhambra Ring 53 VCARD40800
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A beautiful 18k yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels ring from the Vintage Alhambra collection. The ring features a four-leaf clover motif with a carnelian inlay, complemented by a bea...
Carnelian, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra Turquoise 18k White Gold Bracelet. Box Papers
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from the iconic Vintage Alhambra collection is crafted in 18k white gold and features 5 lucky clover motifs inlaid with blue turquoise i...
Turquoise, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Malachite Magic Alhambra Long Necklace VCARO3MG00
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k yellow gold malachite long necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from their Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of the iconic 4-leaf clover motif pendant se...
Malachite, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Carnelian Magic Alhambra Long Necklace VCARO49N00
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k yellow gold carnelian long necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from their Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of the iconic 4-leaf clover motif pendant se...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 20 Motif Alhambra Diamond Lapis Yellow Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
Expertly crafted in 18K yellow gold, this exceptional necklace features twenty iconic Alhambra clover motifs, each symbolizing luck, health, and prosperity.
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20 Motif Carnelian Yellow Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra long necklace, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, exemplifies the maison's timeless elegance.
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Ltd Edition Light Green Celadon Porcelain & Diamond Alhambra
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A limited edition 18k white gold light green Celadon Sèvres porcelain and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant from the 2022 Holiday collection.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Carnelian Tiger Eye 6-Motif Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from the iconic Magic Alhambra collection features a 6-motif design of beaded clovers crafted in 18k white gold and set with 3 carnelia...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels vintage alhambra bracelet 5 motifs blue agate
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, England
Van Cleef & Arpels vintage alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in blue agate. One of the most beautiful colors with 5 bleu agate stones.
Agate, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Blue Sèvres Porcelain Magic Alhambra Necklace VCARO2TD00
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A gorgeous 18k white gold blue sèvres porcelain necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels from their Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of the iconic 4-leaf clover motif pendant ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Malachite Alhambra Bracelet, 7-Inch
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 Vintage Alhambra 18k Gold Mother of Pearl Necklace VCARA45900
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Inspired by the original Alhambra design introduced by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1968, the Vintage Alhambra collection is recognized for its elegant four-leaf clover motif and finely bea...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Ring 18K Yellow Gold Onyx Diamond
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra ring in solid 18k yellow gold, showcasing a harmonious blend of classic design and modern elegance.
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 20- Motif Malachite Vintage Alhambra Necklace in 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 20- Motif Malachite Vintage Alhambra Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold. The necklace features 20 clover motifs crafted in 18k yellow gold, inset with malachite disc...
Malachite, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra White Coral Yellow Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Vintage Alhambra White Coral Earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Coral, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant necklace is crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with black onyx.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 18K White Gold Diamond Ring VC26-011326
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
Set in white gold, this ring features a single Alhambra clover motif with the signature beaded edge.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Guiloche and diamond vintage Alhambra bracelet in 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Guiloche and diamond vintage Alhambra bracelet in 18k yellow gold. The bracelet features 5 clover motifs mounted on a cable chain; 3 of the mountings set with ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Arno Alhambra Diamond 18k White Gold Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in University Place, WA
The Arno Alhambra is a less commonly encountered design within Van Cleef & Arpels' broader Alhambra family, distinguished by its dense diamond pavé and softly four-lobed silhouette.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Vintage Alhambra Yellow Gold Tie Clip
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Alhambra Tie Lapel Pin by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 1 round brilliant cut diamond VVS1 clarity, E color total weight .06ct Details: Measurements: Tie ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Vintage Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Vintage Alhambra pendant 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags.
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Sweet Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Sweet Alhambra pendant 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags.
Van Clear & Arpels 5- Motif Alhambra Pink Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold and featuring five iconic clover-shaped motifs set with vibrant pink enamel.
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Sweet Alhambra Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Sweet Alhambra Diamond Mini Ring. Size 47. American 4. With VCA Certificate.
Diamond, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond Alhambra 10 Motif Necklace & Bracelet Set
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Set Of Vintage Alhambra Ten-Motif Diamond Necklaces and 5 Motif Vintage Alhambra Diamond Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Sweet Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Sweet Alhambra pendant 18k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags.
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Onyx Ring in Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra onyx ring set in 18k yellow gold.The ring is composed of a clover motif set with black onyx, framed by polised edge.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Rose Gold Obsidian Alhambra Bracelet And Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A striking Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra suite crafted in 18K rose gold, comprised of a Five Motif Obsidian bracelet and matching Twenty Motif Obsidian necklace.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloche 5 Motif 18K White Gold Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An elegant Vintage Alhambra 5 Motif Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K white gold.
18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Malachite Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet w/Paper
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Alhambra Material: 18k Yellow Gold Gemstones: Malachite and diamonds Diamonds: 24 diamonds, approximately 0.96 carat total weight Malachite...
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k Rose Gold Mother of Pearl Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet is a refined expression of elegance and timeless design.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Carnelian Pendant Long Rose Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Rose Gold Magic Alhambra Carnelian Pendant Long Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra Gray Mother-of-Pearl White Gold Necklace & Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Berlin, DE
Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Necklace & Bracelet Set – 18K White Gold A timeless icon from the Pure Alhambra collection, this set features 14 lucky clover motifs inlaid with gra...
Van Cleef & Arpels 2020's 18K Gold Contemporary Alhambra Station Link Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as cable link chain with five quatrefoil shaped Alhambra stations Grooved on both sides with a fanning radial textured pattern With granulated edge surrounds Stamped with Fr...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold VCA Mother of Pearl & Diamond Alhambra
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Material: 18k white gold Serial #: JE636XXX Diamond: 1 Round Brilliant Diamond: 0.06cttw Color: G Clarity: VS1 Colored Stone: Mother of Pearl Ring Si...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k Rose Gold Mother of Pearl Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet is a refined expression of elegance and timeless design.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Long Necklace, Malachite in 18k Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra long necklace, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, exudes elegance and individuality.
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra VCARG12000 White Gold Mother-of-Pearl Earstuds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra VCARG12000 18k White Gold Mother-of-Pearl Women's Earstuds.
Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise & Mop of Pearl Lucky Alhambra Between Finger Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise & Mother of Pearl Lucky Alhambra In Between Finger Ring In 18k White Gold.
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Vintage Alhambra Diamond Pave Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
These Vintage Alhambra earrings are a refined expression of timeless elegance, combining exceptional diamond quality with thoughtful, versatile craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond Pave 18 Karat Rose Gold Earrings
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra earrings crafted in luxurious 18K rose gold and accented with brilliant pavé-set natural diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond Pave 18K White Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An exquisite Vintage Alhambra Pendant Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, expertly crafted in solid 18K white gold.
Diamond, 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.