Van Cleef & Arpels

(active since 1896)

Founded in Paris by Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels, Van Cleef & Arpels quickly became one of the most prestigious and enigmatic names in French luxury jewellery. The House opened its first boutique in 1906 at 22 Place Vendôme, directly across from the Hôtel Ritz. Over time, it expanded into elite holiday destinations such as Deauville, Monte Carlo and Nice, and later into international markets including Japan, China, the Middle East and the USA.

Van Cleef & Arpels rose to prominence in 1925 when their rose-motif ruby and diamond bracelet won the grand prize at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts. The brand became known for nature-inspired motifs, flowers, animals, and fairy-like figures, now considered its signature aesthetic. Its creations have adorned icons including Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, Queen Nazli of Egypt, and Empress Farah Pahlavi.

Among its most celebrated innovations is the Serti Mystérieux or “Mystery Setting,” a complex gem-setting technique that conceals metalwork entirely. This highly intricate process can take over 300 hours per piece and is still used for only a limited number of creations each year.

Today, Van Cleef & Arpels remains one of the world’s most admired jewellery maisons, known for its timeless designs, artistic mastery, and enduring connection to elegance and fantasy.