Van Cleef & Arpels 'Two Butterfly' Diamond and Mother of Pearl Earrings
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels 'Two Butterfly' Diamond and Mother of Pearl Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:Two Butterfly EarringsFauna Collection
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Dimensions:Width: 0.6 in (15 mm)Length: 0.6 in (15 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Contemporary
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: KH73017AA1stDibs: LU1740113562002
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.
- Boucheron 'Héra' White Gold Sapphire and Diamond RingBy BoucheronLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Boucheron Héra ring crafted in 18 karat white gold features a stunning peacock frame with pavé round and pear-shaped blue sapphires. The eyes of the peacock are comprised o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Charles Krypell Ruby and Diamond PendantBy Charles KrypellLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Charles Krypell free-form slide crafted in 18 karat yellow gold set with ruby baguettes and round brilliant cut diamonds (G/H, VS) weighing approximately 0.79 carats. The p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
- Cartier Paris Coral, Enamel, and Diamond Flower BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Cartier Paris clip-brooch crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, featuring a carved orangey red coral hand holding a black enamel flower centering an Old European Cut diamond wei...Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches
- Cartier 'Juste Un Clou' White Gold and Diamond ringBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Cartier Juste un Clou ring crafted in 18 karat white gold and set with approx. 0.40 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds (E-F color, VS clarity). Signed Cartier, 750, wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. 'Taj Mahal' Diamond and Enamel Ear ClipsBy Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYAuthentic Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Taj Mahal ear clips. Crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and applied with blue enamel, centering two round brilliant cut diamonds (G-H, VS) ...Category
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold
- Cartier 'Love' Rose Gold 4-Diamond BraceletBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAuthentic Cartier 'Love' bracelet crafted in 18 karat rose gold, set with four round brilliant cut diamonds weighing an estimated 0.42 carats total weight. Size 17. Signed Cartier, 7...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Bangles
MaterialsDiamond, Rose Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Medium Cosmos Diamond Mother Of Pearl EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU CT-2272 RRP £ 20,800 Including taxes / $22,100 Excluding taxes / €24100 Inc taxes Model VCARO5BZ00 Serial Number JB****** Metal 18k Rose Gold Stones Diamond, Mother of Pearl Weig...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly Turquoise and Diamond Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers a pair of handmade Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly earrings. Butterflies are beloved and represent new beginnings and hope. Ea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Turquoise, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels two Butterfly rose Gold mop and marquise Diamonds EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Bilbao, ESTwo Butterfly earrings, 18K rose gold, white mother-of-pearl, rhodium plated 18K white gold, marquise-cut diamonds, diamond quality DEF, IF to VV...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef And Arpels PURE Alhambra Mother Of Pearl Diamonds EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef & Arpels Earrings from the Iconic "Pure Alhambra Collection" features 2 lucky Clover Design Crafted in 18k White Gold and set with Fine White D-E Color Diamonds. .85 cts of Diamonds total Iridescent gray mother-of-pearl. Made in France circa 1990s. Measurements: 1. Inch (25mm) diameter. The Earrings Have Clip Backs Hallmarked: VCA with numbers and workshop hallmarks made in France. Pure Alhambra jewelry creations designed in 2001, Van Cleef & Arpels offers a new interpretation of the Alhambra symbol. Inspired by the clover leaf, they give pride of place to the purity and smoothness of its lines. Pure Alhambra Earrings...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsPearl, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby and Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA demonstration of superlative artistry, this pair of French mid-20th century Van Cleef & Arpels clipback button earrings with stripes of rubies and diamonds is a masterpiece of mode...Category
Vintage 1960s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Price Upon Request - Van Cleef & Arpels 1980s Amethyst and Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA stunning pair of 1980's Vancleef & Arpels amethyst and diamond earrings are in excellent condition, with all proper hallmarks, stamped "VCA 56280". Beautifully, matched amethyst su...Category
Vintage 1980s Stud Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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?