Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold, Coral and Pearl Ring, circa 1960
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold, Coral and Pearl Ring, circa 1960
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Aspen, CO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1925626042
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.
- Red Coral and Diamond Ring, circa 1965Located in Aspen, CORed coral from the Mediterranean is surrounded with fine white brilliant cut diamonds all hand set in 18K. The natural coral in a very pleasing shape, weighs approximately 6 cts and...Category
20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,920 Sale Price20% Off - 18K yellow gold vintage Red Coral Ring, Circa 1960Located in Aspen, CO18K 1960's ring centering a deep red/orange (oxblood) natural coral bead measuring 15.5 in diameter. The coral is natural and even in color. Underneath the stone, there is a slight ...Category
Vintage 1960s Artisan Fashion Rings
MaterialsCoral, 18k Gold
$5,996 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Diamond Ring centering a fine Baroque Pearl, circa 1960Located in Aspen, COA Large Baroque pearl is set in the center of leaves of 50 white diamonds, pave set in the "leaves", and weighing at approximately 1.0 cts. The brilliant cut diamonds are well cut...Category
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
$1,960 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Sapphire and 18K Gold Spudnik Motif Ring, Retro, Circa 1958.Located in Aspen, COSpudnik motif gold and sapphire large unusual ring from the very late 1950's probably 1958. Bold and unusual ring, this is a dramatic ring and fine...Category
Vintage 1950s Dome Rings
MaterialsSapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
- 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald Vintage Bold Ring, C. 1960Located in Aspen, CO18K yellow gold, fine diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald ring made in the early 1960's. This heavy and substantial ring in 18K, and marked on the interior of the shank weighs 20.7 g...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Contemporary Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,760 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Platinum and Diamond Fine Vintage Handmade Ring, circa 1960Located in Aspen, CODiamond and platinum ring, the diamonds, all fine brilliant cut, colorless to near colorless (F/G) and very slightly included (VS1), are well set in a dome creating a striking statem...Category
Vintage 1960s Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Dome RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Dome Ring in 18k yellow gold. This ring has 91 round brilliant cut diamonds with total weight of approximately 4.35ct, Color: F/G, Clartity: VS. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 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
- Van Cleef and Arpels "Angel's Skin" Coral and Diamond RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef and Arpels Angel Skin Coral and Diamond Cocktail Ring. 1 Cabochon angel skin coral with round cut side diamonds set in 18k yellow gold. Ring Size: 6.5 Signed, Van Cleef...Category
Vintage 1960s French Cocktail Rings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapis and Diamond Philippine RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireVan Cleef & Arpels Lapis And Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Philippine Ring Brand- Van Cleef & Arpels Model- Philippine Ring Product Type- Ring Serial Number- B5*** Material(s)- 18ct Yell...Category
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Coral and Lapis Ring SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYEach ring set set with one carved fluted coral or carved fluted lapis lazuli set with a diamond set in the center 18 yellow gold. Signed and numbered VCA Ring Sizes: 6Category
Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli
- Van Cleef & Arpels 1980's 9.86 CTW Sapphire Cabochon Diamond 18 KaratBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Philadelphia, PACentering an oval shaped sapphire cabochon weighing approximately 8.62 carats - transparent medium blue Set with talon prongs with a halo surround of round brilliant cut diamonds Fla...Category
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 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?