Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Polar Bear Platinum Brooch
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Polar Bear Platinum Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Platinum
- Stone:Diamond,Ruby
- Stone Cut:Round Cut
- Weight:15.76 g
- Dimensions:Height: 1.75 in (44.45 mm)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: P10931stDibs: LU330211339862
Van Cleef & Arpels
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.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Cosmos Diamond Brooch or PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYAn exclusive brooch from the famous 'Cosmos' collection, created by Van Cleef & Arpels. Composed of four heart-shaped petals, Cosmos™ is inspired by one of VCA signature flowers and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Coral Clematis Brooch, circa 1960sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYOne of the more notable features of the Clematis Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels are the five petals, sometimes heart shaped and outlined in gold, sometimes made of dark highly polished wood or mother of pearl, or freely depicted in coral that ranges in coloration from pale to saturated. Few Clematis Brooches possess such overall lyrical movement as this example from the 1960s, however. The particular arrangement of these five coral petals is dynamic, and the exquisite carving makes them seem to lilt musically. A trademark of the Maison, flowers in their blooming glory appear to gracefully come to life. The curved stem and single leaf, in this brooch wrought in 18K yellow gold with naturalistic stamping on the leaf, adds to its delicate charm. Collectors should take note that coral has become an endangered species material since this piece was made, thus enhancing the value of coral Clematis Brooches extant. Characteristic of the Clematis Brooch—and also of the Maison’s coral...Category
Late 20th Century French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Coral, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA pair of earrings made by Van Cleef & Arpels and comprising of rubies and diamonds. Total weight of diamonds is 1.5 carat with E color, VVS clarity. Rubies are weighing a total of 3...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Ruby Diamond 'Huggie' Earrings, circa 1970By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe rubies in a Van Cleef & Arpels jewel are a beautiful sight to behold, rich in coloration with a subtle sparkle. The Maison has distinguished itself since its establishment at Pla...Category
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Platinum Pearl Diamond Ear Clips, circa 1980By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe only thing more captivating than a perfectly round, smooth, lustrous pearl is heightened by a scattered diamond halo. These Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Pearl Diamond Halo Button E...Category
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow & White Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis pair of signed Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow and White Diamond Flower Earrings, made in France in the Contemporary era, 21st ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA petite butterfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels dating from the 1980s. This abstract pin features a quatrefoil with oval-cut radiant rubies framed with white round brilliant diamonds...Category
Vintage 1980s Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Platinum Acorn Motif BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA platinum acorn motif brooch, set with brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, 1970’s. Dimensions approx. 2 1/2″ x 1″ Total diamond carat weig...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Retro Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Platinum Flower BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Cape May, NJEra: Retro Designer: Van Cleef & Arpels Hallmarks: Van Cleef & Arpels , 3807. C5 Composition: Platinum Primary Stone: Diamond (Rounds & Baguettes) Stone Carat Weight: Approximat...Category
Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Ruby and Diamond BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYSigned Van Cleef & Arpels (VC&A), this 18 karat gold brooch has a snowflake motif and features round cabochon rubies (1.75 carat) that are accented by round diamonds (approximately 0...Category
Vintage 1930s Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Butterfly BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Butterfly Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold. A petite butterfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels dating from the 1980s. This abstract pin features a quatrefoil w...Category
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Brooch PendantBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA remarkable brooch pendant by Van Cleef & Arpels that dates back to the 1980s, comprised of 18k yellow gold set with 20 carats of brilliant round cut diamonds forming rows of circul...Category
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead 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?