Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond 'Question Mark' 18ct Gold Swirl Ring Circa 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Ring Size:5.75 US, Resizable
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:10.27 g
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Very Fine.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- 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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18ct White Gold And Diamond Wave Dress Ring Circa 2000sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBAn 18ct white gold and diamond dress ring by Van Cleef & Arpels c.2000s, the ring of undulating wave like form in white gold, tapering towards the back, the central raised band of hi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Vintage Diamond and 18ct Yellow Gold Bombe Shaped Ring Circa 1980By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA vintage diamond and yellow gold dress ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1980s. The ring is designed with three channels of white round brilliant cut diamonds graduating in size, all grai...Category
Late 20th Century American Dome Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18ct White Gold And Diamond Wave Hoop Earrings Circa 2000By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA pair of 18ct white gold and diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels c.2000s, the hoop shape earrings of undulating wave like form in white gold have a central raised band of highly ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond, Turquoise and Onyx Dress Ring, circa 1990sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA stylish diamond, onyx and turquoise dress ring by Van Cleef & Arpels c.1990s, the ring of rounded bombe form and asymmetric design composed of three tapered sections one on top of ...Category
1990s French Dome Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Pavé Set Yellow And White Diamond Bombe Dress Ring Cira 1980By Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA striking yellow and white diamond bombe dress ring by Van Cleef & Arpels c.1980s, the ring with a high domed profile and shaped wrap-over twist design, formed of a band of pavé set...Category
Late 20th Century American Dome Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
- Cartier Panthère Griffe 18ct White Gold and Diamond Crossover Ring, circa 2000sBy CartierLocated in London, GBA striking 18ct white gold and diamond ‘Panthère Griffe’ ring by Cartier, c.2000s, designed as a pair of claws encircling the finger and overlapping at the front, the sharply pointed...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Dome Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Bombé Ring 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CACreated circa 1995, this Van Cleef & Arpels NY diamond bombé ring is set in 18K Yellow gold. The high domed form is pave-set with round brilliant-cut diamonds Estimated 3.15 cts Be...Category
1990s American Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Ruby RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NY18k yellow gold ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. Set with ruby (5.4 x 5.4mm) and approx. 0.28ctw in diamonds. Ring size - 7.75, ring top is 15mm wide. Marked: Van Cleef & Arpels,NY 5k 531...Category
20th Century Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Gold
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond & Sapphire Ring Circa 1980sBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVan Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Sapphire & Diamond Ring Vintage Circa 1980s Here is your chance to purchase a beautiful and highly collectible designr ring. Truly a grea...Category
Vintage 1980s French Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Bombé RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis mid-century Van Cleef & Arpels bombé ring is a striking and sensuous period design is set with over ten carats of diamonds. The voluminous form, dripping and patterned with roun...Category
Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Dome RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Beverly Hills, CADESIGNER: Van Cleef & Arpels MATERIALS: 18k Yellow Gold GEMSTONE: Round Brilliant Cut Diamond WEIGHT: 4.7 grams RING SIZE: 5.75 HALLMARKS: VCA, 18K, & the serial number A clas...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold Abalone Diamond Honeycomb Band RingBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels 18 karat gold domed band ring showcases a unique honeycomb pattern, adorned with stunning inset abalone, and framed by round brilliant-cut diamonds....Category
Late 20th Century Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold, 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?