ABOUT van cleef & arpels

It all began in 1895 in Paris when Estelle Arpels married Alfred Van Cleef. Estelle was the daughter of a precious stones dealer, while Alfred was the son of an artisan and diamond broker. Shortly after the wedding, Alfred formed a partnership with Estelle’s brother, Charles, and subsequently created the brand name Van Cleef & Arpels.

The partners opened their first boutique at 22 Place Vendôme, Paris, and have, to this day, never moved from that legendary address. Later, Estelle’s other brothers Julien and Louis joined the company, and the Arpels family tradition was continued by Julien Arpels’ three sons named Claude, Jacques and Pierre. Today the family is still very much involved in the brand, which now has prestigious boutiques all over the world.

History of the Alhambra Collection

The infamous Four-leaf clover motifs first appeared in the Maison’s archives as of the 1920’s, the perfect symbol of good fortune including wooden talismans, charms and benevolent fairies, Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery became a sought after piece to own. In 1968, the Maison created the first Alhambra long necklace, comprised of 20 clover-shaped motifs in yellow gold and trimmed with gold beads.

A stunning signature of the Maison, the Alhambra collection has consistently reinvented itself throughout decades to today’s current collection, enriched with a wide range of materials, colours and symbols.

Special Creations for Special Clients

Van Cleef & Arpels is also renowned for its history of creating exquisite jewellery for royalty, celebrities and the lavishly wealthy.

Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery has adorned screen legends such as Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as modern-day celebrities including Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone and Kate Middleton.‍

In 1936, Edward VIII famously ordered three exceptional pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels for Wallis Simpson’s, fortieth birthday. The order included a Cravate necklace, a ruby and diamond bracelet, and a Houx clip made of Mystery Set rubies.

The Maison’s jewellery was also a favourite for Oscar-winning actress-turned royal, Grace Kelly. Just a few months after Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, the Maison became the “Official Supplier to the Principality of Monaco,”.

The Masters of Transformable Jewellery

The prestigious brand has, over time, established themselves as the masters of transformable jewellery. Combining exceptional beauty and refinement with functional features that can be altered to suit the wearer’s desires.

One of the very first transformable pieces was the Passe-Partout necklace. The necklace features a flexible gold snake chain along with two flower clips. The wearer can transform the piece to be worn as a necklace, a choker, a bracelet or a brooch.

The Zip necklace is another example of one of the brand’s most coveted transformable pieces. It comprises of a fully-functional zipper, which is adorned in gemstones and can be worn either as a necklace or a bracelet when fully zipped.