Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Magic Alhambra Clover Diamond Clip-On Earrings
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow Gold Magic Alhambra Clover Diamond Clip-On Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: RR59051stDibs: LU78939493772
Vintage Alhambra Earrings
Sketches of four-leaf clovers litter the archives of French luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels (est. 1896), some of which date back to the early 1900s, and the brand’s beloved Vintage Alhambra earrings celebrate the quatrefoil-shaped multicultural motif that has long characterized the maison’s most popular collection.
“To be lucky, you must believe in luck,” Jacques Arpels (1914–2008), nephew of Van Cleef & Arpels cofounder Estelle Arpels, liked to say. Jacques sought four-leaf clovers in the yard of his childhood home, and owing to his affinity for nature as well as good fortune, it was he who would ultimately launch the Alhambra line, which celebrates a shape that is based on the clover as well as the ancient quatrefoils of Moorish architecture. Van Cleef CEO Nicolas Bos concedes that luck may have played a role in the motif's impressive universal success — devotees of Alhambra over the years have included Princess Grace of Monaco, acclaimed actress Romy Schneider and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
The inaugural design of the Alhambra collection — a yellow-gold opera-length necklace interspersed with 20 gold four-leaf clovers with beaded edges — debuted in 1968. These beaded edges, along with the integration of colorful stones such as malachite, coral and turquoise, define the house’s Vintage Alhambra line. (The Sweet Alhambra pendant and Magic Alhambra necklace are part of the collection’s other iterations.) While adding new styles and precious and semiprecious stones over the years, Van Cleef & Arpels has produced the Alhambra line continuously since its early days. Vintage Alhambra earrings, which embody the casual ease of the original and see the house’s lauded emblem highlighted in a beaded border, continue to be a playful and elegant symbol of good fortune.
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, 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.
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Clip on EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire And Diamond Clip On Earrings are a stunning display of elegance and craftsmanship. These earrings feature a striking design that cente...Category
20th Century French Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsSapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold
$31,600 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Pave Round Diamond Cluster EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA pair of cluster pave set diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels. Each oval cluster set throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds, omega with posts fittings, signed Van Cleef & Arpels ...Category
20th Century French Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$40,320 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Perlee Clover Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Perlee Clover Diamond Ring. Superb and rare Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée Trèfle large model ring in yellow gold diamonds, composed of one significant...Category
20th Century French Modern Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold1970's Diamond Earrings and a Ring Jewelry SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Ring and Earring Set. Elegant dome ring and earrings with hand-carved finish like cross motifs with a sprinkling of gem white diamonds. Signed Van Cleef and Arpels...Category
20th Century French Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$13,824 Sale Price / set20% OffFree Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Pearl Diamond Bombe EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYBehold the epitome of elegance and luxury with the Van Cleef & Arpels Estate Diamond and Pearl Bombe Earrings, a breathtaking testament to the artistry of fine jewelry. Crafted in ex...Category
20th Century American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$72,600 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow 20 Motif Gold Alhambra Vintage NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection is one of the most coveted fine jewelry collections in the world. Each piece from the collection embodies the spirit of timelessness and go...Category
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGold, Yellow Gold
$32,640 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping
- Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Malachite 3 Motifs Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU CT-2323 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2018 RRP £9,450 Inc taxes / $ 10,100/ 11,000 € Inc taxes Model VCARO2AG00 Serial Number JE**** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Malachit...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsMalachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Long Mother of Pearl Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU CT-2355 Comes With Pouch Only Date 2014 Model VCARD78800 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Mother of Pearl Weight 14g Condition Excellent ______________________...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA fabulous pair of authentic Van Cleef & Arpels earrings depicting the iconic Alhambra motif set in 18k white gold. The symbol is said to represent luck, health, fortune, and love. ...Category
1990s French Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Gold Clip-On Double Flower EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Tel Aviv, ILThese amazing Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) earrings are made in 18k yellow gold and feature a floral clip-on design. Set with sparkling round brilliant-cut E-G VVS diamonds of an estima...Category
1990s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond White Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU CT-2412 Comes With Pouch Only Date 2016 RRP £13,000 Including taxes / $13,900 Excluding taxes / €14 900 Including taxes Model VCARA44600 Serial Number JExxxxx Stones Diamond Cond...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Onyx Yellow Gold Stud EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-1569 Brand Van Cleef & Arpels Model VCARB14000 Date Circa 2019 Serial No...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
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.
This Piaget Gold Nugget Watch Is the Embodiment of Delicious ’70s Excess
With a tigereye dial and a most unusual bracelet, this cuff-style piece is a singular style statement.