Van Cleef Butterfly
20th Century Lever-Back Earrings
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Bangles
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Stud Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s French More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Drop Necklaces
Coral, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold, 18k 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
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
2010s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Artist Wrist Watches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century Fashion Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Yellow Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1
Van Cleef Butterfly For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Van Cleef 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 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.
Read More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?
A Mini Romance Plays Out on the Dial of This Van Cleef and Arpels Watch
The tiny lovers inch closer together by the hour and minute until they finally embrace on a world-famous bridge.
15 Scintillating Jewelry Watches to Elevate Your Holiday Style
Watchmakers have tucked their movements into all manner of precious baubles, from lapel pins to cocktail rings. The result is dazzling, wearable art that will get you to the party on time.
This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Why the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Collection Remains So Alluring
The lucky-charm style has been around for more than 50 years, and British royals are still drawn to it.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
The 6 Most Popular Jewelry Houses on 1stDibs
Get to know the history behind the world's most iconic jewelry houses and the fabulous styles they designed.