Van Cleef Button
Vintage 1930s American Cufflinks
Onyx, 14k Gold
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Artist Pocket Watches
18k Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s French Modern Modern Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vanity Items
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Post-War Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
People Also Browsed
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Wrist Watches
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Artist Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
French Fashion Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
American Cufflinks
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French More Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Boxes and Cases
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Cufflinks
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Clip-on Earrings
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Boxes and Cases
18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Modern Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Link Bracelets
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Vanity Items
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco More Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Boxes and Cases
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Wrist Watches
2010s Italian Contemporary Wrist Watches
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Boxes and Cases
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French More Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Vanity Items
Diamond, 18k Gold
French Wrist Watches
Vintage 1950s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef Button For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Van Cleef Button?
Van Cleef & Arpels for sale on 1stDibs
One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpel. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Van Cleef & Arpels is so expensive because it is a well-known company that has a fantastic reputation. Van Cleef & Arpels are universally renowned for high quality jewelry with a focus on detail. High-profile fans of the French jewelry house over the years have included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and many more. Find an extraordinary range of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
Read More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?
A Mini Romance Plays Out on the Dial of This Van Cleef and Arpels Watch
The tiny lovers inch closer together by the hour and minute until they finally embrace on a world-famous bridge.
15 Scintillating Jewelry Watches to Elevate Your Holiday Style
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.
This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Why the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Collection Remains So Alluring
The lucky-charm style has been around for more than 50 years, and British royals are still drawn to it.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
The 6 Most Popular Jewelry Houses on 1stDibs
Get to know the history behind the world's most iconic jewelry houses and the fabulous styles they designed.