Rating and value of Van Cleef & Arpels jewels, brooches and necklaces

If you own a piece of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Their value can vary depending on the material : gold jewelry is always highly prized, but original creations set with precious stones or diamonds are all the more prized.

Rating and value of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry  

Van Cleef & Arpels creations are highly prized items at auction. They are collected by bidders of all nationalities. Now, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer.

The Alhambra collections are particularly prized, by buyers from all over the world. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €1,000 to €2.4 million, at present, a consequent range but one that says a great deal about the value that can be attributed to these objects.

The auction record to date is held by a ring from the house adorned with a 6.27-carat Burmese ruby, which fetched €2.4 million, more than five times its estimate.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry 

Since its foundation in 1960, the house of Van Cleef & Arpels has imposed a unique, refined style through the ages, recognizable at first glance. It is inspired by nature and organic motifs, with flowers, butterflies, stone tablecloths evoking nature and movement.

Van Cleef uses stylized icon motifs, the most emblematic example being the Alhambra collection (1968) with the four-leaf clover motif, which is used as a symbol of luck and elegance.

VCA jewelry is intended to combine versatility and transformability : the pieces are designed to change function or wear (pendant/bracelet, long necklace/necklace) using ingenious mechanisms, and by carrying out a great deal of reflective work on surfaces and light effects. In 1993, the company patented the mysterious gem-setting technique, which consists of setting precious stones without visible claws. The stones are set in gold rails and completely cover the surface, producing an effect known as " velvet of gems ".

Van Cleef & Arpels also uses guillochage, a traditional mechanical engraving on precious metal (gold, platinum) to create finely incised striations in sunburst or wavy lines, generating a subtle play of light.

The metals and stones used are of the highest quality, with the house notably using 18k gold, platinum, with a demanding setting for the stones, and a rigorous selection of rare gems and diamonds (D-F, IF-VVS2, please refer to the corresponding page).

The house also makes use of transformation and articulation mechanisms, with modular chains, clips and interchangeable links that enable the same piece to become a bracelet, necklace or clip, ensuring functional and aesthetic versatility.

The handcrafted finishes are highly advanced, with fine polishing (each hollow or assembly receives a mirror-wire finish), meticulous control of shapes, angles and proportions to respect identity and artisanal excellence.

Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry and watches at auction

Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry and watches are sought-after at many auctions. Contemporary "Alhambra" sets are particularly popular, but do not discredit older rings or watches, and accessories such as cufflinks or lady's brooches.

Demands are numerous, indeed the Maison has succeeded in carving out a place for itself among the great institutions. Van Cleef & Arpels owes its reputation to the exploitation of unchanging precious materials. The creations are composed of gold, mother-of-pearl, precious and semi-precious stones and diamonds. The House is renowned for the creativity it infuses into its work, as much as for its elegant finesse and sobriety.

It stands out for its colorful accessories, notably its gold brooches adorned with turquoise, sapphire and ruby.

Goldsmithing also dresses watchmaking Van Cleef & Arpels, watches become collector's items and are sometimes concealed behind precious floral compositions inspired by the seasons. The pieces are sought-after at auction and can fetch up to four times their original price.

The history of the House of Van Cleef & Arpels

The story of Van Cleef & Arpels begins with the marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, son of a lapidary and diamond broker, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of a gemstone merchant.

The company was officially founded in Paris in 1906, and the first boutique was opened at 22 Place Vendôme. From the outset, the brand was anchored in a prestigious jewelry district, a factor in its upmarket positioning.

In the 1920s - 1930s, the house reinforced a distinctive style with floral motifs, stylized nature, animals and fairies. In 1925, it received the Grand Prix at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes for the bracelet " Roses rouges et blanches ".

The following years marked the start of major technical innovations, such as the mysterious setting patent in 1933 (setting stones without visible claws). The company's international expansion came early, taking part in the World's Fair in New York in 1939, and setting up shop in New York.

Why sell your Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry and watches at auction?

The support of anauctioneer in estimating and selling jewelry from the house of Van Cleef & Arpels is necessary. The quality of the pieces requires in-depth expertise, sometimes involving a gemological expert. These studies guarantee the object's owner its quality and veracity, and enable a professional appraisal. The object is promoted by the advertising of professionals who enable the buyer to benefit from an extensive network, which guarantees an acquisition at the best price.

Recognizing a Van Cleef & Arpels jewel

The counterfeiting market is increasingly strong in making all kinds of dupes, including luxury jewelry pieces. On online platforms, the resale of these items is steadily increasing, and many customers are being tricked.

Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry is necessarily signed and hallmarked, even if it's a collaboration with other independent designers such as Suzanne Belperron.

This is why, even if techniques exist to recognize a genuine piece of VCA jewelry, including looking at the signature (which can also be counterfeit), it is essential if you think you own a piece of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry to have it appraised in order to date it and be sure of its authenticity.

Know the certain value of your jewelry  

If you happen to own a Van Cleef & Arpels piece of jewelry, or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your scarf, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you wish to sell your work, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.