Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:21st Century
- Condition:
- 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, 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 1 day of delivery.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Material: Yellow gold (18K)...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in 18K White GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in 18K White Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Line: Sweet Alhambra Material: White gold (18K) Condition: Good Condit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in 18K White GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in 18K White Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Gender: Women Line: Sweet Alhambra MPN: VCARA44500 Material: White gol...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold Additional Information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Gender: Women Line: Alhambra Material: Yellow gold (18K) Condition details:...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in Pink GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Earrings in Pink Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Gender: Women Line: Sweet Alhambra Earring type: Stud earrings SKU:elaGZyh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsRose Gold, Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Necklace in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold Additional Information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Gender: Women Line: Alhambra Model: VCARD99500 Gemstone: Mother of pe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Hammered 18K Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2454 Comes With Box Only Date 2012 RRP £ 4,050 Inc taxes / $ 4,300 Excl taxes / 4,650 € Inc taxes Model VCARO1IH00 Serial Number JB****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Weight Approx 8...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra butterfly earstuds 18K yellow gold MOPBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Bilbao, ESSweet Alhambra butterfly earstuds 18K yellow gold, Mother-of-pearl VCARN5JM00 Jacques — the nephew of Estelle Arpels, who founded Van Cleef & Arpels with her husband, Alfred, in 1...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Black Onyx Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2535 Comes With Pouch Only RRP £3,800 Incl taxes/4 350 € Incl taxes / $ 4,050 Excl taxes Model ARA44200 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Onyx Weight approx ...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
MaterialsOnyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Black Onyx Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2536 Comes With Pouch Only Date 2015 RRP £2,300 Incl taxes/2.680 € Incl taxes/ $ 2,450 Excl taxes Model ARA44900 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Onyx Weigh...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
MaterialsOnyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels, 18K Gold Diamond EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYCircular-cut diamonds. Circa 1980's. Stamp: "VCA", "B3355A10", maker's marks Pery & Fils, French marks, "OR750", "©87" Measurement: 2.8cm Weight: 13.0 gramsCategory
Late 20th Century Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Carnelian 18k Rose Gold EarstudsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2188 Comes With Box Only Date 2014 RRP £2,560 Inc VAT / $2,720 Excl VAT / 2920 € Inc VAT Model VCARN6BO00 Serial Number JE****** Metal 18k Rose Gold Stones Carnelian Weight 2....Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
MaterialsCarnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose 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?