The Best Van Cleef & Arpels USA Jewelry
Whether you’re looking for a necklace that is a symbol of luck or a stunning piece that features semiprecious and precious gems, the following pieces are sure to please. From a famous woman given to Elizabeth Taylor, to a jewelry that is made of precious and semiprecious gems, there’s something for every taste and budget. Read on to learn more about Van Cleef & Arpels USA.
Symbol of luck
Lucky charms, like the four-leaf clover, have long been a recurring motif for Van Cleef & Arpelts USA jewelry. This lucky charm is also a symbol of good fortune and success, as finding one can lead to an abundance of good fortune. The four-leaf clover motif was first used in the 1920s by the company, and it has since been incorporated into many of the company’s designs. The company’s founders’ nephew, Jacques Arpels, collected four-leaf clovers in his backyard and offered them to his employees.
The four-leaf clover is a common symbol in American folklore, but it’s even more enduring in the Van Cleef & Arpel brand’s jewelry. The company has created a unique platform to celebrate this lucky symbol, called “8 Seconds of luck”, which allows web users to share messages of good fortune and luck in their daily lives.
In the Lucky Spring collection, the designer uses a variety of symbols to represent good luck. The necklace features a pendant with a ladybug and a plum blossom. It also has lily of the valley leaves and bells. Several of the pendants are set with gold. One piece of jewelry in this collection is adorned with an emerald green and red faceted gemstone.
Malachite is an extremely popular stone among Van Cleef & Arpel USA customers. The 19th century Russians used it to decorate palaces and churches. Its healing powers evoke nature, hope, and renewal. Van Cleef & Arpels USA jewelry is designed using only the finest materials and is crafted in-house, ensuring that it is as flawless as it can be.
Alhambra is the most recognizable symbol of the maison. The four-leaf clover and quatre-leaf design are lucky symbols that have adorned the jewelry of royalty and celebrities. Symbol of luck in Van Cleef & Arpels USA jewelry for centuries. The Alhambra necklace is a classic example of a lucky charm that is timeless and a must-have in any wardrobe.
In addition to the four-leaf clover, the company also uses wooden talismans and fairies in their collections. In 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels launched their first Alhambra long necklace with 20 clover-shaped motifs. The design was complemented by a trim of golden beads. Today, the Vintage Alhambra collection remains faithful to the original 1968 design, and the craftsmanship is legendary.
Made of precious and semiprecious gems
The first creation of the legendary jewelry firm, Van Cleef & Arpel, dates back to 1895, when Estelle, the daughter of a diamond cutter, married a diamond cutter. Her father was a precious stone dealer and the pair soon began to produce jewelry. They joined forces with their brother-in-law, Salomon Arpels, in 1904 and opened their first jewelry store in Paris on 22 Place Vendome. This shop continues to operate today, even after a century has passed.
After the Second World War, the company expanded and began to create pieces for royalty, film stars and successful entrepreneurs. In 1954, they introduced their first collection of jewelry for the general public, which focused on naturalistic themes and diamond accents. These pieces were very popular and soon gained a loyal following. The company’s creations made their way into the world and were sold worldwide.
In 1968, the company began producing pieces with the Alhambra emblem, which is an iconic feature of the brand. The Alhambra necklace is among the most popular pieces of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and is still considered a timeless classic today. A variety of pieces from the 1940s to the present are available, from delicate gold and diamond earrings to statement-making rings.
A renowned technique that makes the VC&A brand a worldwide sensation is the Mystery Set method. It was initially used for minaudieres, but eventually began to be applied to jewelry. This method requires an incredible level of precision, and a few hundred hours can be needed to complete a single standard-size item. The secret is in the technique.
A legendary stone in the heart of an iconic piece is the inspiration behind the brand. This jewelry is made from precious and semiprecious gems, and combines elegant design with meticulous craftsmanship. The range of jewelry includes stunning natural gemstones and wood-carved good luck charms. Whether you’re looking for bold, timeless beauty, or something in between, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry has it all.
The delicate charms of the Sweet Alhambra necklace are complemented by a golden clasp and pendant. The clovers on the pendant are composed of gold and gemstones, while the necklace’s chain and links are rose and yellow gold. The center links are small and contain precious gems. Asymmetrical design evokes the motion of a butterfly in flight.
As the company expanded, the use of gold and semiprecious gems was increased. A number of bespoke pieces were created for royalty, including pearl and diamond jewelry for Prince Rainier III of Monaco, a necklace for Grace Kelly, and a crown for the Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran. The company was bought by the richemont group in 1999.
Given to Elizabeth Taylor
There are many myths about the jewels Elizabeth Taylor wore. But it is true that she did have an impressive collection. The actress was famous for her extravagant and gem-laden jewelry. Many of these pieces are on display at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Her father was an art dealer and the actress picked up his skills from him. She used her hefty collection to support the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
One of the best-known pieces she wore was her Marguerite necklace, a pendant consisting of diamonds and pave-set white diamond petals. This piece symbolized Taylor’s purity of heart and was her first-ever loaned jewel. She also bought a Marguerite suite from the company as a keepsake, raising money for Aids Research.
Although she was famous for wearing a lot of fancy jewelry, the star of her life didn’t always wear it with elegance. She was known for her record-breaking diamonds and incorporated them into her wardrobe. Given to Taylor by Van Cleef & Arpels USA, she wore the diamond heart pendant on her third date with Eddie Fisher. She continued to wear it on her wedding day to him, and he gifted it to her mother when he died in a plane crash in 1958.
Another piece she wore in her wedding was a necklace made by the same jewelry house. Taylor also collected jewelry from Bvlgari. The necklace features 16 Colombian emeralds set in a diamond surround. The diamonds are brilliant-cut and pear-shaped. The jewelry is so beautiful that she would wear it on her wedding day. She also wore it at her 1983 press conference.
Another famous piece of jewelry is the iconic zip necklace worn by the actress Elizabeth Taylor. In the 1920s, the brand was the official supplier to Monaco. The company then began producing clips depicting scenes from the Romeo and Juliet play. The iconic pieces of jewelry were made with yellow gold threads and ribbons. The jewels were set with rubies and sapphires. Many celebrities have worn the jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels, including Elizabeth Taylor.
Other items from the Elizabeth Taylor collection were acquired as gifts for special occasions. She had a significant collection of jewels which she used for her hair decoration. She had to augment these pieces with loaned pieces from her favorite jewelers. However, this collection of jewels was valued at $157 million at Christie’s in 2011.
Another piece that Taylor used frequently was a gold and turquoise diamond ring. In addition, the actress also had a necklace with seven diamonds that resembled a ping pong ball. These items became icons of their short-lived romance. Taylor later sold these items and donated a portion of the proceeds to a charity hospital in Botswana. It is a true treasure.