Mid-Century Modern Van Cleef & Arpels Coral Gold Earrings and Ring Set
About the Item
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Victorian Etruscan Revival Gold Coral Dangling EarringLocated in New York, NYThis is a gorgeous dramatic pair of Victorian Etruscan Revival coral dangling earrings. The earring is composed almost like hanging urns, but wi...Category
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold
- Vintage Cartier 18 Karat Mid-Century Modern Gold Lovebird PinBy CartierLocated in New York, NYWhimsical and collectible 18k yellow gold lover bird pin in heart by Cartier circa 1960. Cartier is known for making romantic and whimsical jewels throughout the century. This loveb...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Antique Art Deco Platinum Red Coral and Black Enamel Diamond EarringsLocated in New York, NYA rare pair of dramatic platinum Art Deco blood red coral and black enamel earrings, circa 1920. The amphora shape of the coral is beautifully carved, ...Category
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
- Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Black Enamel Coral Ear PendantsLocated in New York, NYAntique Victorian 18k yellow gold with black enamel corral ear pendants circa 1890. These dramatic and long earrings are set with small single cut diamond accents. The quality of thi...Category
Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Dangle Earrings
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold, Enamel
- Modern 18 Karat Gold Padlock and Key Charm BraceletLocated in New York, NYA wearable hollow form gold 18k yellow gold link charm bracelet with alternating key and padlock charms. The bracelet has Italian ...Category
1990s Italian Modern Charm Bracelets
Materials18k Gold
- Brutalist Gold Hanging EarringLocated in New York, NYA wild pair of Brutalist style 18k gold earring. The earring is made of gold wires suspended from a gold top like a chandelier. It is a fun an interesting ...Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings
Materials18k Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Coral Yellow Gold Hoop EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA fabulous pair of authentic Van Cleef & Arpels earrings featuring a carved coral which acts as a centerpiece delicately placed in 18k yellow gold. Length: .78" by .47"Category
1990s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Coral Yellow Gold Hoop EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Feasterville, PAA fabulous pair of authentic Van Cleef & Arpels earrings featuring a carved coral which acts as a centerpiece delicately placed in 18k yellow gold. Length: .78" by .47"Category
1990s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Coral and Diamond Hoop Earrings in 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA highly unique vintage pair of Van Cleef & Arpels coral and diamond clip on hoop earrings set in 18k yellow gold. These beautiful hoops are composed in a graduated circular motif a...Category
Vintage 1970s Retro Hoop Earrings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Diamond Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYOnyx And Diamond Ear-clips By Van Cleef and Arpels. Set In 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Consisting Of Several Pave Set Sections Divided By Inset Carved Onyx Sections. Ear-clips Contain 68 ...Category
1990s French Romantic Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Coral and Chrysophase EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Atlanta, GAClassic Van Cleef & Arpels. Rich gold fluted white coral and vivid green chrysophase are combined in a beautiful vintage VCA design. 1 3/8's of an inch in length. The coral measures...Category
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsChrysophrase, Coral, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Hoop Diamond EarringBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef and Arpel Vintage Diamond Hoop Earrings with Lever Backs Crafted in 18 k Yellow Gold and Complete with Four Pairs of Interchangeable Gemstone Hoops Lapis Lazuli White Moth...Category
Vintage 1960s French Hoop Earrings
MaterialsAgate, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 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?