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VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and his wife's brother, Salomon Arpels, this prestigious French brand has become renowned for its expertise in precious stones and a groundbreaking gem-setting procedure known as the Mystery Setting, a technique that gives the stone maximum exposure, with the prong hidden underneath.

In the 1920s, Van Cleef & Arpels released a line of jewelry inspired by Asian and Egyptian goods, along with a series of Art Deco pieces that would immortalize their names among jewelry connoisseurs.

In the 1930s, the second generation had entered the business and, by the end of the decadem, opened a store in New York City. Van Cleef & Arpels adjusted to shift in fashion by introducing new jewelry that featured romantic motifs with ample use of yellow gold.

Continuing to stay current with wider style trends, the brand produced Chantilly-style lace jewelry in the 1940s, floral designs in the 1950s, and items with Indian influences in the 1970s. The 1980s saw the explosion of ribbons and bows, and the 2010s brought museum pieces and expansion into Asia.

The emphasis of all products is on artisanship that is in keeping with the times but that also takes on a visionary edge. This vision is readily indentifiable, making Van Cleef's pieces easy to recognize in any runway lineup or coterie!