Vca Alhambra Lapis
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
1990s French Cufflinks
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Yellow Gold
2010s French Top Handle Bags
1990s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Italian Sunglasses
2010s Bangles
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Link Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
2010s French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
2010s French Chain Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
20th Century Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Artist Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
1990s French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Drop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Drop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
2010s French Link Bracelets
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Link Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Stud Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Link Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century English Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Stud Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cufflinks
18k Gold
20th Century French More Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow 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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