Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Alhambra Necklace and Earrings
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Alhambra Necklace and Earrings
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.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Alhambra NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVintage, limited edition rareVan Cleef & Arpels Vintage "Alhambra" diamond and lapis lazuli 20 clover motif necklace . ( with Van Cleef & Arpels Certificate of Authenticity) This nec...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYClassic Van Cleef and Arpels clip on earrings!!!! Designed as flower-heads with round diamonds with large center diamonds Weigh...Category
20th Century French Romantic Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Coral NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels composed of seventy-five coral beads, measuring approximately 11.9 to 4.6mm, interspersed with textured gold spheres Signed VCA NY, no XXXXXX length: 24in. 18k ...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Artist Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise 'Vintage Alhambra' NecklacesBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Two Turquoise 'Vintage Alhambra' Necklaces. This pair of necklaces each has ten motifs, turquoise plaques, all set in 18k white go...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
MaterialsTurquoise, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli EarringBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels lapis lazuli and 18k yellow gold shrimp style earclips. This pair of earrings consisit of ribbed lapis lazuli accented with 18k gold wire placed between the groove...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Hoop Earrings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels "Miroir Des Eaux" NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 'Miroir Des Eaux' Multi- gem and Diamond Necklace. This necklace has rectangular-shaped MOP and black onyx on white gold with pear s...Category
Late 20th Century French Artist Drop Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Darnestown, MDVan Cleef and Arpels pear shaped diamond earrings that are the ultimate in elegant simplicity. The earrings are made of 154 diamonds with a total weight of approximately 7 carats. T...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lever-Back Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx and Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef and Arpels Onyx and Diamond Earrings Signed, Van Cleef & Arpels N.Y. & numbered Gold Type: 18k Yellow GoldCategory
Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels's abstract designs are equally sublime and elegant as their famous flowers. The sensitive, artistic eye, innovative constru...Category
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire & Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Sapphire & Diamond Earrings Round cut sapphires & diamonds set in 18k white gold. Measurements: 1" long Back Type: clip on with post Signed, VCA & numberedCategory
Vintage 1960s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA pair of earrings made by Van Cleef & Arpels and comprising of rubies and diamonds. Total weight of diamonds is 1.5 carat with E color, VVS clarity. Rubies are weighing a total of 3...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA beautiful pair of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings set with pearls and diamonds. Each set with a pearl center surrounded by round diamonds, most with E-F color, VS clarity. Estimated w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 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?