Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ribbon Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx And Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ribbon Bow Pendant Necklace.
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos 18K Rose Gold 1.55ct Diamond Pendant Necklace #5152
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
Sparkling Diamonds with a total weight of 1.55 carats make this Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos necklace positively radiate light.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 10-motif Alhambra 18 Karat Gold Carnelian Clover Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a stylish link necklace designed by Van Cleef & Arpels for the iconic Alhambra collection.
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Mini Cross Diamond 18k White Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Mini Diamond Cross 18k White Gold Pendant Necklace.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Mother of Pearl White Gold Special Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
Description: An elegant Magic Alhambra Special Edition necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K white gold.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Style Ruby Beads, Emerald & Diamond Necklace 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Details: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Style: Vintage Style Primary Stone: Ruby (Beads) Secondary Stone: Diamonds Other Stones: Emeralds Metal: Gold Item Type: Necklace Sizable: No
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Blue Sevres Porcelain Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
Here we have a rare 18ct white gold necklace from the world renowned luxury jewellery house of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Semi-Rigid in 18 Carat Gold and Diamonds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Paris, FR
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Necklace Semi-rigid articulated in 18 carat Yellow Gold set with 7.79 carats of Diamonds.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 30cts Diamond Ceylon Sapphire Necklace in 18 Karat Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Dallas, TX
Van Cleef & Arpels dazzling collar necklace bursting with brilliance of approximately 19 carats of finest white diamonds which are complemented by 11 carats of vividly-colored bl...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Go...
Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly 18K Gold 0.88ct Diamond Necklace VC04-031626
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
An elegant, airy design makes this Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly necklace instantly captivating.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Long Necklace 20 Chalcedony Motifs 18k Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra long necklace, 20 motifs, rhodium plated 18K white gold, chalcedony.
Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly Diamond Mother Of Pearl Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Mother Of Pearl Two Butterfly Pendant Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Clovers Diamond 18K Rose Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33301470 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2018 RRP £4,650 Incl. Taxes / €5,500 Incl. Taxes / $5,250 Excl. Taxes Model VCARO2EE00 Serial Number JA****** Metal 18k Rose Gold S...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Blue Agate 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
Description: An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra pendant, beautifully crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. This refined piece features a rich blue agate motif, showcasing t...
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly 18K Gold 0.88ct Diamond Necklace VC03-031626
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
Delicate and instantly enchanting, this Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly necklace features an asymmetrical design meant to capture the movement of butterflies in flight. Diamonds...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Noeud Papillon Colored stone diamond Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This striking 1970 necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels is a remarkable example of exquisite craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Pink Sapphire Diamond De Papillon Two Butterfly Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
Description: An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Papillon Butterfly pendant, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K rose gold. This refined piece features a graceful butterfly motif adorned ...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Blue Sapphire & Diamond Ribbon Bow 18k Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Blue Sapphire And Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ribbon Bow Celeste Pendant Necklace.
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Grey Mother Of Pearl Butterfly Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels butterfly necklace crafted in 18K white gold, featuring wings formed from grey mother-of-pearl with soft natural iridescence.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Natural Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Necklace and Earring Set
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An immaculate diamond and yellow gold necklace and earring set by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Grey Black Mother of Pearl Rose Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra long necklace crafted in solid 18K rose gold and set with grey to black mother-of-pearl motifs.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose 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.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Lion Brooch Pendant Convertible Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A true statement piece from the 1970s, this remarkable Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is a masterpiece of versatility and craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, 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.
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos Diamond Estate Clover Pin/Pendant 18k Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
An estate Van Cleef & Arpels, Cosmos pave round brilliant-cut diamond pin/pendant necklace, set in 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20 Motif Necklace in 18K Rose Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
An impossible to find Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Necklace! This necklace features 120 round brilliant Diamonds, DEF color, and VVS clarity with a total weight of 4.83 carat...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 20 Motif Vintage Alhambra Diamond & Onyx White Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Alhambra 20 Motifs Diamond And Black Onyx Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Blue Agate Alhambra 20 Motif Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20 Motif Blue Agate Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold A classic Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra necklace featuring 20 blue agate motifs set in 18K ...
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Link Necklace Alhambra Clover Motifs 48 Inch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Video: Video Link Detailed Description: Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Necklace with Clover Motifs DESCRIPTION: Elevate your jewelry collectio...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpel’s Alhambra white golf 10 Motif MOP necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Addlestone, GB
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 10 Motif Necklace Reference: VCARF48500 Material: 18ct White Gold Stone: MOP Chain Length: 42 cm Retail Price: £9,050 Luminary Fine Jewellery...
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Station Necklace Choker
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tampa, FL
This beautiful Van Cleef and Arpels necklace is excellently crafted in solid 18 karat yellow gold and diamond stations featuring round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 2...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k White Gold/ Mother of Pearl MOP Magic Alhambra Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold/Mother of Pearl Magic Alhambra Necklace Made In: France Year of Production: 2014 Materials: Mother of pearl, 18k white gold Hallmarks: VCA Au750, s...
18k Gold, White 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 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 CLEEF & ARPELS Alhambra Gray Mother-of-Pearl White Gold 14 Motif Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This classic Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from the Pure Alhambra collection is crafted in 18k white gold and features 14 lucky clover motifs inlaid with gray mother-of-pearl and c...
White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Papillon Yellow Sapphire Diamond Butterfly Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: A graceful De Papillon Butterfly necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow and white gold.
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ruby and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ruby and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace Made Circa 1972.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels 18K Rose Gold Zodiac Pendant On A Chain Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Zodiaque “Arietis” (Aries) Long Necklace, an exceptionally poetic and collectible creation inspired by the mysticism of the zodiac and the maison’s enduring fascin...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20-Motif Mother of Pearl 18k Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, epitomizes timeless elegance with its iconic 20-motif design.
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Diamond Grey MOP Coral Butterfly Yellow Gold Brooch Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Grey Mother Of Pearl Coral Butterfly Brooch Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Coral, Cultured Pearl, 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 1.56ct Cosmos Medium Model Clip Pendant Necklace 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Composed of four heart-shaped petals, Cosmos is inspired by one of Van Cleef & Arpels' signature flowers, dating from the 1950s. The naturalistic design creates a strong sense of mov...
18k Gold, White 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 Pure Alhambra Mother Of Pearl Flower 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Mother Of Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Edition 2008 Star Mother of Pearl 18K Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Fairfax, VA
Description: An elegant Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Star pendant from the highly sought-after 2008 Holiday Edition, exquisitely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. This ref...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 2017 Holiday Alhambra Bull's Eye Diamond Necklace 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Condition signs of wear Accessories Warranty card Weight 6.2g Designer Van Cleef & Arpels Exterior Material 18K Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Slider Necklace-Watch In Platinum 18Kt Gold Wood And Diamonds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Necklace watch designed by Van Cleef & Arpels. This is a gorgeous masterpiece created in Paris France by the iconic jewelry house of Van Cleef & Arpels, back in the 1980.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Necklace Blue Sèvres Porcelain 18K White Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Banbury, GB
*Rare Find* SKU 77701911 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2012 Model VCARO2TD00 Serial Number JB****** Metal 18k White Gold Stones Sèvres Porcelain Weight 10.63 g Length 40 cm W...
18k Gold, White Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Long Necklace Mother of Pearl Motifs 18K Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Aventura, FL
Inspired by the clover leaf, their asymmetric designs feature different associations of materials. Details: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: VCARD79300 Type: Magic Alhambra Long...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef Chrysoprase, Coral, And Diamond Necklace And Earrings Suite.
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef Chrysoprase, Coral, And Diamond Necklace And Earrings Suite.The necklace features omega-link chain, centering polished angel skin coral and chrysoprase panels, flanked by t...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Burnt Onyx 20 Motif Necklace 18K White Gold
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers this Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20-Motif Necklace in rare Burnt Onyx is an extraordinary expression of heritage elegance and collector rarity.
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 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Lapis And Coral 33 Inch Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels long necklace crafted in 18K yellow gold, designed with alternating lapis lazuli and coral bead stations along a twisted rope-link chain.
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Oval Link Chain Necklace w/Paper 30"
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Era: 1960s Material: 18k yellow gold Design: Substantial rectangular-to-oval link chain necklace with a solid, structured construction Necklace Length: Appr...
Gold, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 1960s Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Multi Strand Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Vintage circa 1960s Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, set in 18k yellow gold, featuring a total of ten strands of freshwater pearls (ranging in size from 3.5mm to 4.5mm).
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Malachite Long Pendant Necklace.COA
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous necklace Van Cleef & Arpels from the iconic Vintage Alhambra collection features a green malachite lucky clover pendant set in 18k yellow gold completed with an adjusta...
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Obsidian 18k Rose Gold 20 Motif Necklace w/Cert 34"
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Style: 20 Motif Necklace Material: 18k rose gold Gemstone: Silver obsidian Design: Twenty clover motifs with double-sided b...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 2012 Holiday Edition White Mother of Pearl 18K Gold Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Tysons, VA
Description: An elegant Vintage Alhambra pendant from the 2012 Holiday Edition by Van Cleef & Arpels, beautifully crafted in solid 18K gold. This refined piece features a lumino...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels Necklace Multi-Strand 14k Gold Coral Beads
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Van Cleef & Arpels necklace that comprises multiple strands of tubular coral and gold beads.
Coral, 14k 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.
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.