Van Cleef Lucky Butterfly
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bangles
Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s French Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
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White Gold
Early 2000s French More Necklaces
Turquoise, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Bangles
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Recent Sales
2010s French Chain Necklaces
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Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Early 2000s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
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18k Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
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18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold
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Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
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Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
2010s Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings
Turquoise, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
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18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
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Carnelian, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
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Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French More Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French More Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Dangle Earrings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Carnelian, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Rope Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Lever-Back Earrings
Carnelian, Malachite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
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.
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