Vca Butterfly
2010s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Band Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s French Clip-on Earrings
Chalcedony, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s French More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Drop Necklaces
Coral, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, Onyx, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Romantic Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
Tiger's Eye, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Band Rings
Onyx, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century French Three-Stone Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Dangle Earrings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Bracelets
Diamond, Chalcedony, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Artist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French More Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Drop Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Chain Bracelets
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Aesthetic Movement Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s French Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Stud Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
2010s French Stud Earrings
Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vca Butterfly For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vca Butterfly?
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 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.
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
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.
- 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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