French Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Four-Step Ring, 18k
About the Item
- Creator:
- Ring Size:5.5 US, Resizable
- 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.
- French Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Ring, 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA beautiful emerald, ruby, and diamond yellow gold ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. The ring is set with three rectangular step-cut emeralds, round mixed-cut rubies, and round brilliant-c...Category
20th Century Bridal Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Ruby
- Van Cleef & Arpels Four Row Diamond Band, 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Van Cleef & Arpels Four Row Diamond Band made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. Ring Size 5.25 US. Total Weight: 7.55 grams.Category
20th Century Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- French Van Cleef & Arpels Carved Lapis and Diamond Ring, 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA French Van Cleef & Arpels Carved Lapis and Diamond Ring made in 18k yellow gold. The total weight of the ring is 4.37 grams. The Ring Size is 5.25 US. SKU: 1321-ABHJMPLCategory
20th Century French Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond
- Van Cleef & Arpels Three Row Round Diamond Band Ring, 18KBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Van Cleef & Arpels Three Row Round Diamond Band Ring made in 18K White Gold. The ring size is US 5. The total weight of the ring is 5.68...Category
20th Century Bridal Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- French Van Cleef & Arpels Wave-Style Ring with Diamonds, 18K GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA bold and beautiful French Van Cleef & Arpels Wave-Style Ring with Diamonds made in 18 Karat White Gold. The total weight is 14.91 grams. The Ring Size US 4.50.Category
Mid-20th Century Band Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Coral Bow and Diamond Ring, 18kBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYA Van Cleef & Arpels Coral Bow and Diamond Ring made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The total weight of the ring is 4.10 grams. The ring size is US 5.75. SKU 1023Category
20th Century More Rings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Buckle RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFun yet classy buckle ring created by Van Cleef & Arpels in France in the 1970s. Made of 18 karat yellow gold and set with finest sapphires and diamonds. The oval sapphire weighs ap...Category
Vintage 1970s French More Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Sweet Alhambra Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Sweet Alhambra Diamond Mini Ring. Size 47. American 4. With VCA Certificate. Perfect as a pinky.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ludo RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYPart of the iconic Ludo Hexagone collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, which was created as a reference to Louis Arpels, who was known to his peers as “Ludo,” this 18k yellow gold ring ...Category
Vintage 1950s French More Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Gold RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY18k yellow gold ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. Ring is size 6.5, ring top is 20mm x 25mm. Set with approx. 1.70ctw in diamonds. Marked: 18Kt, 12014, 1ct70, 79, 750, Van Cleef & Arpels....Category
20th Century French More Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Onyx RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYOnyx And Diamond Ring By Van Cleef &and Arpels. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring Consisting Of Several Pave Set Sections Divided By Inset Carved Onyx Sections Ring Contains 42 Round Brill...Category
1990s French Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels "Fleurette" Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels diamond fleurette ring in 18k yellow gold. The ring features a flower in the center, composed of 7 round brilliant cut diamonds, accented with shank half way pave ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Artist Fashion Rings
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?