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 Arpels. 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.
34.15ct Aquamarine and Diamond Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous aquamarine and diamond ring of epic proportions was exquisitely handcrafted in platinum during the fabulous ’40s! The ring stars a dramatically beautiful, 34.15 carat,...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring. Set with an octagonal emerald-cut natural unenhanced aquamarine in an open back claw settin...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
BOUCHERON Paris 1938 Art Deco Platinum Ring With 23.55 Cwt Aquamarine & Diamonds
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail ring with aquamarine designed by Boucheron. This magnificent Art Deco cocktail ring was created in Paris, France, by the prestigious jewelry house of Boucheron during the l...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Mid Century 23.70 carat Santa Maria aquamarine diamond platinum cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary Mid Century Santa Maria aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring is a spectacular 1950’s jewel, centered by an impressive emerald cut Santa Maria aquamarine weighing a...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Aquamarine and Diamond Ring, circa 1980
Located in London, GB
Aquamarine and diamond solitaire ring. Set to center with an octagonal emerald cut natural aquamarine in open back claw settings with an approximate weight of 38.65 carats, flanked b...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
$15,800Sale Price|35% Off
20.57 carat Brazilian Aquamarine White Diamond Platinum Ring, Erich Zimmermann
By Erich Zimmermann
Located in Dallas, TX
One-of-a-Kind Princess Ring handcrafted in Germany by master metalsmith and gem-cutter Erich Zimmermann in high-polished platinum showcasing a top quality, exceptional 20.57 carat emerald-cut aquamarine (19mm x 13.3mm) invisibly-set in four cylindrical tubes inlaid with round brilliant-cut vs1 top white diamonds. The prongs seamless connect to a hand-fabricated platinum band set with twenty total round brilliant-cut vs1 top white diamonds. Total Diamond Weight = 0.41 carats. Size 6.0 (Can be sized). Stamped 950 PT with the artist's signature hallmarks. About the Maker - Erich Zimmermann obtained the title of master silver and goldsmith in his hometown Augsburg, Germany. His love of assorted precious metals and gemstones led him to design his award-winning Cleopatra and Princess collections. Sleek yet elegant, his pieces display stunning jewels in unobtrusive settings, truly accentuating their brilliance. Obtaining awards such as Town and Country’s “Best Gold Design” and the “Jeweler’s Choice Award” at the JCK show in Las Vegas...
Diamond, White Diamond, Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone, Platinum
Vintage 10.00ct Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring, c.1950s
Located in London, GB
An impressive 10.00 carat Aquamarine takes centre stage in this mesmerizing vintage cocktail ring. The baguette cut stone is set into 18 carat white gold and flanked by four round br...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 14.35 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring, circa 1950
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 14.35 carat aquamarine and 0.20 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold ring; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stu...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-Century Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Ring White Gold 1950s–1960s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Mid-Century Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring in White Gold, Circa 1950s–1960s. At its heart lies a mesmerizing emerald-cut aquamarine of approximately 5.30 carats—its crystallin...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Nadja Buckley Mid Century 51.50 carat aquamarine diamond platinum cocktail ring
By Nadja Buckley
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary Nadja Buckley Mid Century aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring is a dramatic 1950’s design, centered by an impressive emerald cut aquamarine weighing approximately...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Certified 16Cts Aquamarine, Pink Tourmaline & Diamond Cocktail Ring. Substantial
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD Video! This is a STATEMENT piece! Here is a super nice certified natural Aquamarine ring. Unique is an understatement. The center Aquamarine is 16 Cts. Not on...
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Diamond, Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Flower Cut Powder Blue Topaz 13.5mm and Diamond Cocktail Ring, Statement Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! Here is a super unique flower / chrysanthemum cut powder blue Topaz and diamond cocktail statement ring. It is set in 18k white gold. The center Topaz 13.5mm is stunning. The flower cut is spectacular and is rarely seen cut to this kind of perfection. The color is a nice blue that looks very much like an Aquamarine. This is a very clean stone. All the photos are magnified and in HD for your reference. There are natural round brilliant cut white diamonds in the halo and hidden halo...
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Muzo Green Emerald & Diamond Ring, Vivid Green and Transparent
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! This ring looks much much better in person and clean in emerald standards! This center emerald is around 0.78cts. This emerald has the correct vivid gr...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GRS Certified 14.7mm x 12mm Columbian Minor Emerald Ring. Large Statement Ring!
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! XXL in Size. This emerald is certified by 2 labs, GRS and ICA lab to be from Colombia with minor treatment. The emerald is large at over 10cts with a v...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
GRS Certified 2.72 Cts Columbian Minor Muzo Emerald Ring. Special Appendix
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD video! This emerald is certified by GRS lab to be from Colombia. The emerald is important enough to have a GRS special appendix stating that this emerald is displaying legendary colors of "old mine" emeralds called Muzo green. 99% of emeralds are heavily included and goes through a strong oil treatment. This emerald is certified with only minor treatment. The center emerald is 2.72 cts. This emerald has the correct vivid Muzo green...
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
GIA Certified 8.1mm x 6.5mm No Heat Sapphire Diamond Ring. Vivid And Super Clean
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The HD video says it all! It does not get any better than this. Almost ALL sapphires are heat treated to enhance the color and clarity. This one is certified natural, unheated and un...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
