Van Cleef & Arpels 1940s Diamond Gold Necklace and Bracelets
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels 1940s Diamond Gold Necklace and Bracelets
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, 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 Paris Curb Link BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYMade by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris in the 1960s-1970s, this curb link bracelet is composed of 18K gold and diamonds. It is designed as a series of flattened 18K gold curb links highlighted at intervals by pairs of round brilliant-cut diamonds. This casually elegant and classic form, created in the period when jewelry lovers were rediscovering their love of gold, is beautifully flexible and nicely weighted for the wrist. PRODUCT DETAILS CURATOR'S NOTES Item #: BA-20099 Artist: Van Cleef & Arpels, New York Country: France Circa: 1960s-1970s Size: 7.75” length Materials: 28 round brilliant-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 0.55 carat);18K gold Signed: VCA 750 B 2999 A7; French assay marks and maker's mark. MACKLOWE GALLERY...Category
Vintage 1960s Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 1960s Wood BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYCreated in 1968, this French 18K gold and dark carved wood bracelet was designed by Van Cleef & Arpels Paris. It is designed as circular dark wo...Category
Mid-20th Century French Link Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYCreated by Van Cleef & Arpels New York in the 1970s, this ring is composed of 18K gold and approximately 3.40 carats of diamonds. It is designed as a tapering channel-set line of bag...Category
Mid-20th Century American Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 1950's Diamond Gold and Platinum ‘Feathers’ BroochBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA French Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold and platinum brooch with diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels. The ‘Two Feathers’ brooch has 41 round-cut diamonds with an approximate total weight ...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels 1960's Diamond Emerald and Gold RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold ring with diamonds and emeralds by Van Cleef & Arpels. The ring has 15 round diamonds with an approximate total weight of 3.40 carats, F/G color, VS ...Category
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Yellow Gold Necklace This necklace has a woven motif with 96 round diamonds weighing approximately 6 carats all set in 18k yellow gold. Signed Van Cle...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Emerald NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Emerald Necklace Featuring three rows adorned with round-cut diamonds and square-cut emeralds. Signed: Van Cleef & Arpels and numbered, French maker's...Category
Vintage 1960s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 Yellow Gold Necklace-BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYAn exquisite pendant composed of textured gold, accented by luminous round diamonds, suspended from a similarly-set necklace, total gross weight approximately 202 dwt., length 28½ in...Category
Vintage 1970s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond, Onyx and Coral NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Diamond, Onyx, and Coral Necklace An 18k yellow gold link necklace, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, onyx, and white coral signed...Category
Vintage 1970s French Link Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald Ruby Diamond NecklaceLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels necklace in white gold with emerald and ruby beads, showcasing a carved emerald pendant, the clasp enriched with diamonds. Si...Category
Vintage 1950s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsEmerald, Ruby, Platinum
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?