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.
Mid Century 12.00 carat aquamarine diamond platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Mid Century ring centers on a magnificent emerald cut aquamarine weighing approximately 12.00 carats, its cool, watery blue tone glowing softly through the stone's clean step-cu...
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
26.50ct Aquamarine 0.40ct Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Commanding attention with its breathtaking scale and serene, ice-blue hue, this extraordinary statement ring features a magnificent emerald-cut aquamarine weighing approximately 26.5...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
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
2.30ct Aquamarine and 4.16ct Diamond, 18ct White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 2.30 Carat aquamarine and 4.16 Carat diamond, 18 Karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collec...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Spectacular 62.42 Carat Aquamarine Ring 18 Karat circa 2019 American GIA
By Lawrence Jeffrey
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 2019, 18k, by Lawrence Jeffrey, American. Impeccably designed to feature its luminous, deep blue 62.42 carat Aquamarine, this ring has a s...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Peter Suchy 41.28 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Platinum Ring
By Peter Suchy
Located in Stamford, CT
Incredible and stunning, This 41.28 carat Santa Maria bright crisp blue 1930's emerald cut untreated aqua is a masterpiece of elegance. The emerald cut aquamarine centerpiece, is mou...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Diana M. 14.77 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Pave Ring
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring features 14.77 carat aquamarine, surrounded by 3.23 carats of diamonds.
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
19.58 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Natural untreated aquamarine and diamond ring. Emerald cut 19.58ct center aqua with two round brilliant cut side diamonds in a handmade 1950's platinum setting. 1 emerald cut blue ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
1990s 7.75 Carat Aquamarine and 1.65 Carat Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 1990s 7.75 carat aquamarine and 1.65 carat diamond, platinum cocktail ring; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive vintage aquamarine ring has been crafted in platinum. The pierced decorated, scrolling setting displays a central 7.75Ct oval mixed cut aquamarine, four claw set in relief to the center. The aquamarine is flanked on either side by a total of ten tapered baguette cut diamonds. A further fourteen individually four claw set modern brilliant round cut diamonds ornament the upper and lower borders of the design. The elevated groove and bead decorated ring shoulders integrate with the main setting and meld with the plain ring shank. The ring is hallmarked to the interior with the platinum fineness mark (Pt900). This vintage aquamarine cocktail ring...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Oscar Heyman 6.39 Carat Aquamarine Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New Orleans, LA
This ring showcases the legendary craftsmanship of Oscar Heyman, America's premier jewelry house. At the heart of the design is a 6.39-carat oval aquamarine, prized for its exception...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Emerald-Cut 43.37 Carat Aquamarine Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
With the stunning blue hue of a clear tropical ocean, the incredible 43.37-carat emerald-cut aquamarine at the center of this ring is absolutely captivating. This specimen possesses ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1.38 Carat Untreated Brazilian Paraiba Asymmetrical Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
A striking 1.38-carat Paraiba tourmaline displays stunning brilliance and color in this asymmetrical ring. The triangular-shaped, brilliant-cut Paraiba...
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Platinum
3.37 Carat Brazilian Paraiba Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
A monumental marvel, this breathtaking ring features the elusive and rare Brazilian Paraiba. The exquisite 3.37-carat gemstone displays the glowing gree...
Pink Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
4.03 Carat Untreated Teal Sapphire Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
Displaying a captivating teal blue hue, the 4.03-carat brilliant-cut sapphire at the center of this ring dazzles on the finger. Certified by Bellerophon Gemlab, the sapphire shows no...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels 8.45 Carat Kashmir Sapphire Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New Orleans, LA
Among the most coveted gemstones in the world, Kashmir sapphires represent the height of rarity and beauty, and this extraordinary Van Cleef & Arpels ring displays one of the fin...
Sapphire
