Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Onyx Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet is a refined embodiment of elegance and iconic design.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Onyx Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet is a refined embodiment of elegance and iconic design.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 18k Yellow Gold Onyx Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet is a refined embodiment of elegance and iconic design.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Diamond & Pink Sapphire Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
From Van Cleef & Arpels Oiseaux de Paradis collection, this rigid bracelet features a split-shank frame in 18K white gold, creating a sense of weightless motion.
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels White Gold Diamond Perlée Clovers Bracelet VCARP3O300
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning 18k white gold bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Perlée Clovers collection.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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 Rose Gold Perlée Couleurs Small Bracelet VCARP27400
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning 18k rose gold diamond and carnelian bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels from the Perlée Couleurs collection.
Carnelian, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose 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
Georges L'Enfant for Van Cleef & Arpels Textured Link Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
Here we have an angel hair textured link bracelet by Georges L'Enfant for Van Cleef & Arpels during the 1970s.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Aprels Art Deco Onyx and Diamond Line Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
Here we have a stylish bracelet from the world renowned luxury jewellery house of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Coral Chrysophrase Link Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from the 1990s is crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with alternating oval cabochons of pink coral and green chrysoprase.
Chrysophrase, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Perlee Diamond Clover Rose Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Rose Gold Diamond Clover Perlee Bangle Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels. This authentic Van Cleef & Arpels bangle bracelet in 18k rose gold features signature diamond clo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole Bracelet 7 Flowers Diamond 18k Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet is a radiant expression of elegance and craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Five Row Diamond Bracelet, Platinum and 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A Van Cleef & Arpels Five Row Diamond Bracelet made in Platinum and 18k white gold.
Diamond, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Carved Bone Ivory 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This rare vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features elegant bone ivory elements in a distinctive classic design.
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$32,140Sale Price|20% Off
Van Cleef & Arpels Platinum and Diamond Bow Clasp Pearl Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Braintree, GB
A stunning mid-20th-century bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, showcasing the maison’s signature refinement in both form and function.
Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole Bracelet 7 Flowers Diamond 18k Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet is a radiant expression of elegance and craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Tigers Eye Vintage Alhambra Bracelet VCARD35600
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold bracelet from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace and Bracelet in 18kt Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Paris, FR
VAN CLEEF AND ARPELS Rigid twisted 18K yellow gold bracelet opening articulated by a hinge.
Gold, 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Ruby 18K Rose Gold Textured Link Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
This rare and distinctive vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet is crafted in 18K rose gold and accented with ruby, featuring an elegant textured link construction.
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Coral 5-Motif Alhambra Bracelet 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Dating to the 1970s, this bracelet captures the timeless appeal of Van Cleef & Arpels' iconic Alhambra collection, first introduced in 1968.
Coral, 18k 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.
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Lucky Alhambra Charm Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra charm bracelet is crafted in yellow gold and features a playful arrangement of signature motifs suspended from a delicate chain.
Carnelian, Malachite, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Trefle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
*** Comes with the original Van Cleef & Arpels papers *** 18K Yellow Gold Diamond: 1.40ct twd Total Weight: 17.3g Bracelet Length: 6.5 inches *** A matching necklace is also availabl...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$19,860Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Production 18K Gold Vintage Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1960's Van Cleef and Arpels Flexible Cuff Bangle Bracelet This Bracelet Was Limited Production and Only Made For a Few Years 18KT Yellow Gold 49 Grams 8.7mm Wide, The Ball...
18k 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 Twisted Two-Tone 18k Gold Bangle Bracelet, 1970s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic Van Cleef & Arpels bangle bracelet, crafted from 18k yellow and white gold.
Gold, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Mother of Pearl Vintage Alhambra Bracelet VCARP2R100
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An elevated and timeless 18k rose gold bracelet from the Vintage Alhambra collection by Van Cleef and Arpels.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Gold Diamond Floral Link Bracelet, 20th Century
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A graceful expression of Van Cleef & Arpels' enduring floral artistry, this bracelet is composed of sculptural openwork rose motifs in polished 18-karat yellow gold, highlighted ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet in Platinum – 28 ct Total
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Diamonds Color/Clarity: G-I, VVS-VS Size: 6.88 inches Creator: Van Cleef & Arpels Metal: Platinum Weight: 70.10 grams Period: 1980s This stunning Van Cleef & Arpels bracele...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond 18k Gold & Platinum Vintage Bracelet, Circa 1973
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rather than placing the diamonds exclusively across the front, Van Cleef & Arpels carried the diamond-set sections around the bracelet, making the piece beautiful from virtually ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelet Pink Coral Diamonds 18 kt Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Paris, FR
VAN CLEEF AND ARPELS Bracelet in 18 carat yellow gold (750mil.) and in platinum, with oval cabochons of gadrooned pink coral, held by 18 kt gold sleeves with pearl motifs, interspers...
Diamond, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Perlée Clovers Medium Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Clovers Medium Model Bracelet features clusters of round brilliant-cut diamonds set in polished 18k yellow gold in the house's signature beaded...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Romance in Paris Charm Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Berlin, DE
Van Cleef & Arpels Romance à Paris Bracelet – 18K White Gold A romantic tribute to the City of Light, this charm bracelet depicts scenes of young love in 18K white gold.
Van Cleef & Arpels French 1990's Globe Cable Link Charm Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a cable link chain suspending a single world globe charm Rotates on an axis and matte with high polish continents Completed by lobster clasp closure With high polish fini...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Frivole Revena Leather Diamond Gold Flower Bracelet & Choker
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous authentic Van Cleef & Arpels set from the iconic Frivole collection features an adjustable choker Revena on leather cord necklace and bracelet accented with 18k yel...
Diamond, 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.
Agate, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Chrysoprase Lapis Lazuli 18K Yellow Gold French Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfield, CT
Van Cleef & Arpels Chrysoprase Lapis Lazuli 18K Yellow Gold French Bracelet This Van Cleef & Arpels Delphes bracelet is made in 18k yellow gold, featuring alternating oval cabochons...
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Platinum Onyx Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bangle bracelet, crafted from textured 18k gold and set with an onyx panel and pavé diamonds.
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
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 Georges L'Enfant Rectangular Link Gold Vintage Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Tour de force. This Van Cleef & Arpels Georges L'Enfant double rectangular link gold vintage bracelet, with its simple and clean design, is a pure masterpiece.
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 18K Yellow Gold Twisted Cable Link Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Westmount, CA
A statement piece of French High Jewelry, this vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet features a bold, sculptural interlocking link construction.
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Link Bracelet 85.7 Grams
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Video: Video Link Detailed Description: 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Estate Elegance Step into a world of timeless elegance with this vintage Van Cleef & Arpels...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby, Diamond 18K Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A most classic and luxurious vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bangle bracelet. This 18-karat yellow gold bangle sets seven emerald-cut rubies east/west, alternating with round brilliant di...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k 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 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.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Guilloché 5 Motifs Diamonds Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Details: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Type: Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Model: VCARP4KN00 Clasp: Hallmark Clasp Small Model Motifs: Guilloché and Round Diamonds Diamonds Count: 24 sto...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet VC56-022026
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
This vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet will never go out of style.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels 18K/Plat Coral and Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold hinged bangle features a textured band accented by a smooth slice of vibrant red coral paired beside a paved section of brilliant round diamonds. ...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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. With Necklace 10 motifs of 120 round brillian...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$48,000Sale Price|20% Off
Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Clovers Diamond 18k White Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
Elevate your personal collection with this exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Clovers bracelet, a sophisticated masterpiece crafted from lustrous 18k white gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Coral and 18k Hammered Gold Bracelet Circa 1970s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Weston, MA
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels Paris in the 1970s, this hinged bracelet is bombe in form with a field of bright and lively brilliant-cut diamonds and an arched section of coral ...
Coral, Diamond, Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Diamond And Gemstone Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K yellow gold bangle bracelet designed with a floral motif, richly adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds and vibrant multi-color gemstones.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.
Today, antique and vintage bracelets are versatile and universally loved accessories that can add polish and pizzazz to any ensemble.
Bracelets were among the jewels discovered to have been buried with Pharaoh Tutankhamun when his tomb was unearthed in 1922, and wrist and arm bracelets were allegedly worn by Queen Puabi in Sumer, southern Mesopotamia. But preceding the adornments of Ancient Egypt and elsewhere, the people of prehistoric times likely wore the decorative accessory, fashioning it from shells and fish bones. When the Bronze Age allowed for more durable materials and semiprecious stones to be incorporated into jewelry, bracelets became a treasured symbol of wealth.
In the thousands of years following the debut of the world’s first bracelets, the artistry behind this common accessory has only broadened, with designers at popular jewelry houses growing more venturesome over time. David Webb looked to nature for his Animal Kingdom bracelets, and for her best-selling bracelets and more at Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti would frequently do the same. From bangles to tennis bracelets, the modern age offers plenty of options.
Internationally acclaimed bracelet designs have on occasion become powerful symbols of status, style and, in the case of Cartier's iconic design, love. The Cartier Love bracelet can be found on the wish list of most jewelry lovers and on the wrist of some of the world’s biggest stars. Its arrangement of mock screwheads and distinctive functionality — it was initially locked and unlocked with an accompanying vermeil screwdriver — is an enduring expression of loyalty, unity and romance. (Do you know how to spot a fake Cartier Love bracelet?)
While the Love bracelet has played a role in the skyrocketing popularity of cuff-style bracelets, they are far from the only glamorous option for collectors. Make a statement with an Art Deco design, a style that sees all kinds of iterations fitted with studded cuffs, one-of-a-kind shapes and dazzling insets. A chunky vintage gold bracelet in the Retro style will prove eye-catching and elevate any outfit.
One of the best things about bracelets, however, is that you never have to choose just one. Style icon Jacqueline Kennedy stacked her Croisillon bracelets — designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. — with such frequency that the ornate bangles were eventually dubbed “Jackie bracelets” by reporters. Contemporary silver pieces can easily complement each other, rendering a layering of luxury almost a necessity.
Find a diverse collection of bracelets that you can sort by style, stone cut and more on 1stDibs.