Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond, Emerald Lion Necklace
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- 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: Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Carved Emerald, Ruby, Diamond Necklace-Bracelet CombinationBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Carved Emerald, Ruby, Diamond Necklace-Bracelet Combination Of Indian inspiration, set at the front with three carved emerald cabochons and four larger ruby beads, the backset with four carved emerald beads...Category
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Yellow Gold "Melusine" NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYPart of the iconic Melusine collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, this Melusine necklace is designed with three rows of openwork floral designs crafted in 18k yellow gold, embellished th...Category
Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Pearl Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY1960’s 18k yellow gold necklace, set with brilliant-cut diamonds and 16 pearls 10.5-15.5mm, signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Total diamond carat weight approx. 100 cts.Category
Vintage 1960s American More Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond, Emerald EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Diamond, Emerald Earrings A pair of 18k rose gold ear clips, set with diamonds and emerald beads signed by Van Cleef & Arpels. measures 1.25″ in length by 0.50″ wi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
- The Estee Lauder Van Cleef & Arpels Important Retro Ruby Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVAN CLEEF & ARPELS Retro Ruby, Diamond Necklace. An 18k yellow gold and platinum necklace, set with oval and cabochon rubies and diamonds, signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Dimensions appro...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro More Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Cabochon Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYLike Gemstones Tumbled Smooth by a Babbling Brook Through the Centuries, this Work of Art Gleams with Life and Light. Intertwined Throughout are 13 Cabochon Sapphires, 11 Cabochon Em...Category
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold & Diamond NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Articulate Gold and Diamond Necklace An 18 karat gold necklace set with 69 round cut diamonds Signed Van Cleef & Arpels NY and numbered Approximate Total Diamon...Category
Vintage 1970s American Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 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 Onyx & Diamond Sautoir NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Onyx & Diamond Sautoir Necklace This exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels Onyx Necklace is a stunning vintage piece from the 1970s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Important Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Emerald NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Emerald Necklace A platinum necklace set with 382 round cut diamonds, 8 pear shaped diamonds, and a Columbian cabochon emerald Diamond Information App...Category
Vintage 1980s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum
- 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?