Van Cleef & Arpels

A Quick Guide for Buying Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelers

Established in 1896 in Paris, France, the family jewelry house of Van Cleef & Arpels designs jewelry and watches. The company specializes in whimsical designs using a variety of natural gems and other materials, including diamonds. eBay has a wide variety of these gorgeous jewelry pieces in both new and pre-owned conditions at reasonable prices.

The company favors pieces featuring animals, fairies, and flowers. The Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection uses a four-leaf clover motif. You?ll notice that the brand often accents the center of its clover design with a diamond.

In 1968, the firm created its first Alhambra piece: a long necklace that combined yellow gold with the modern four-leaf clover motif. The design caught on and became the jeweler?s icon of luck. Van Cleef & Arpels integrates its theme into the design materials, conducting research on the materials and colors various cultures considered to be lucky. The company then brings this combination together, using them in their necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets.

Youll find bracelets, broaches, charms, earrings, necklaces, between the finger rings, rings, tiaras and other headwear. You?ll also find watches crafted of gold, silver and/or platinum. In addition, they use a wide array of jewels including amethyst, diamonds, jade, rubies, sapphires, and topaz.

Yes, the firm also crafts fine watches and has since its inception. These designs vary to include those with traditional leather bands or diamond-encrusted pieces. It carries the whimsical design aspects of its jewelry into its watches. Van Cleef & Arpels inscribes each timepiece with an expression of grace, happiness, or luck, which it refers to as ?Poetry of Time.? It offers five collections within its watches:

• Alhambra: Carrying over its luck theme.
• Cadenas: Offering distinct, modern designs.
• Extraordinary Dials: Dials using art or photo miniatures.
• Pierre Arpels: Offering designs of elegance and sophistication.
• Poetic Complications: Offering the epitome of technical performance with enchanted design.

The company also offers a collection of charms that you can attach to any watch. These watch charms carry over the themes and motifs used on its necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets. This lets you create matching pieces.