Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
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, the 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.
2010s Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century European Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century European Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
White Gold
1950s Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Pearl, Diamond
1960s American Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Modernist Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Modern Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Platinum
1960s European Modern Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Turquoise, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Retro Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s European Modern Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Pinchbeck
1970s European Modern Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Gold
1980s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Citrine, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1960s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1980s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Carnelian, Tiger's Eye
21st Century and Contemporary French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
1960s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Artist Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
1970s French Retro Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s Contemporary Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Coral, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
1980s French Retro Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, Jasper, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels earrings for sale on 1stDibs
Creators Similar to Van Cleef & Arpels
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, the red stone is usually Brazilian carnelian, a type of semiprecious gemstone that typically comes from Greece and Asia. The luxury jewelry brand uses the stone in it’s Bouton d’or and Alhambra collections. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
- What is the Van Cleef symbol?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The brand Van Cleef & Arpels is a well-known luxury jewelry and watchmaking company. Founded in 1896, the company was known for their timeless style and luxe jewels. In 1968 their Alhambra collection featured a four-leaf clover shape and suddenly that became the symbol for the brand. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Are Van Cleef watches worth it?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Deciding if a Van Cleef & Arpels watch is worth the investment is really a matter of preference. The brand is a very well respected luxury brand that comes with a high price tag due to its history of quality, flawless gemstones, impeccable style and elegance. You’ll find a range of quality watches by Van Cleef and others on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term Van Cleef Alhambra means a piece produced by the company Van Cleef & Arpels that features one or more four-leaf clover shapes. It is one of the most notable motifs used by the French jewelry house. Find a variety of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Van Cleef & Arpels typically uses 18-karat gold. This precious metal is roughly 75 percent pure gold and is the type most commonly used to produce luxury jewelry. You can find a selection of Van Cleef & Arpels gold jewelry on 1stDibs.