French Van Cleef & Arpels Marquise Center Diamond Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Van Cleef and Arpels Ruby and Diamond, Necklace & Earrings, French, Maker's MarkBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY"Van Cleef and Arpels Necklace and Earrings set with Ruby and Diamonds. French, Maker's Mark for Pery et Fils. The necklace weighs 87.60 grams with approximately 16 carats of Diamond...Category
20th Century Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Cabochon and Diamond Bracelet and Necklace Set, 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA royal Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Cabochon and Diamond Bracelet and Necklace Set made in 18k Yellow Gold. The diamond weight is appx. 4...Category
20th Century Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- 1960s Van Cleef & Arpels French Flower Diamond Petal EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY1960s Van Cleef & Arpels French Flower Diamond Petal Earrings. Signed and numbered M39112. Diamond weight appx. 10.50 cts. 1.25 inches. Total We...Category
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pery et Fils Three Line Diamond Necklace, 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Van Cleef & Arpels Three Line Diamond Necklace made in 18k White Gold. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, makers mark- Pery et Fils, Numbered. Circa 1955. There are appx. 276 round diamond...Category
20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond
- 1980s Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby and Diamond Bracelet, 18k YellowBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY"A Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby and Diamond Bracelet made in 18k Yellow and Pink Gold. Signed Van Cleef Arpels, Numbered, French assay marks for gold. The Certificate of Authenticity by V...Category
Vintage 1980s Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire Mystery-Set Men's Cufflink and Dress SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYAn exceptional and extremely rare set of vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set cufflinks and dress-set, made in platinum and gold. The buttons ...Category
Late 20th Century French Cufflinks
MaterialsSapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Palm Beach, FLMagnificent Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels.Category
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Butterfly NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef & Arpels Green Emerald & Diamonds Butterfly Necklace One cabochon Green Emerald est. 0.50 ct and round brilliant-cut D-F VVS1-VV...Category
Vintage 1970s French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels pearl diamond necklace Round-cut diamonds, cultured pearls, yellow gold; marked Van Cleef & Arpels, NY, 49694 Size: clasp width 1 inch; necklace length 16.5 inc...Category
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Cheval 3 Row Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef and Arpels Cheval 3 Row Diamond Yellow Gold Necklace, Estimated 25 Cts Total Weight of Fine D-E Color and VVS clarity. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels NY 55xxx About Revealed in...Category
1990s French Choker Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Tubogas Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New Orleans, LAThis exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is a wonder of retro design. This necklace is comprised of a revolutionary, flexible Tubogas link chain of 18K yellow gold. Slightly rais...Category
20th Century French Retro Choker Necklaces
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond 75 Carat Snowflakes NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThe Snowflake collection by Van Cleef & Arpels is inspired by gently falling flakes of snow, an inspiration of the jewelry house since the 1940s. This magnificent necklace part of t...Category
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
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?