Learn More about Rare and Collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra

History of the Van Cleef Alhambra

In the first half of the 1950s, Van Cleef and Arpels recognized the need to create more accessible fine jewelry pieces for a new generation of women. It launched La Boutique in Paris in 1954, and soon found strong demand for semi-precious jewelry pieces that could be worn every day, rather than alongside formal evening attire. The most famous jewelry motif created by Van Cleef and Arpels in this era was the Alhambra, which was first unveiled in 1968. The first Van Cleef Alhambra design was an opera length necklace with 20 motifs. Grace Kelly regularly wore multiple Van Cleef Alhambra necklaces layered together. Today the Van Cleef Alhambra is the most recognized design from the French luxury jewelry maison and remains popular with royalty, celebrities and luxury buyers.

Rare & Collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra

Whether you are a seasoned collector or new admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels, we have highlighted several rare and collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pieces. Each Alhambra piece is no longer accessible, must be custom ordered from Van Cleef or is regularly sold out. Sotheby's is a great place to seek out inaccessible and rare Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry. Van Cleef Alhambra is one of the most sought after jewelry by luxury buyers all over the world. The original Van Cleef Alhambra 20 motif necklace is also often the hardest to source since it requires more effort to match the motifs in colored precious metals. Seasoned collectors are also often on the look out for limited edition holiday motif necklaces.

Van Cleef Alhambra — Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Guilloche Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Guilloche

Van Cleef guilloche is a traditional engraving technique that creates delicate striations on gold and other precious metals. The striations can be arranged in different patterns and creates luminous reflections. The guilloche technique is inspired by gold-smithery and culinary art. Van Cleef first used this technique in the early 1900s, first on watches and then jewelry. Van Cleef Alhambra with guilloche motifs are among the rarest and highly collectible.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Tiger's Eye

While the Van Cleef & Arpel's Alhambra Tiger's Eye wasn't an immediate success, once the motif was no longer accessible, the rarity has increased the desirability of this motif. The best place to source a Alhambra Tigers's Eye is the secondary market. The rich brown motifs with yellow gold has a 70s and 80s vibe that is very on trend with jewelry from Chanel, Schiaparelli, Saint Laurent and Chloé this season.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Lucky

Another rare and no longer accessible Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is the Lucky Alhambra. This unique Van Cleef necklace with 12 motifs features tiger's eye butterflies, carnelian hearts, malachite leaves, and mother-of-pearl quatrefoils. This necklace combines different motifs in shapes and colors and will stand out from a single motif necklace.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Multi Size Motif

Most Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklaces feature a single size motif making a necklace featuring different sizes rare and collectible. This Van Cleef Alhambra necklace with sixteen quatrefoil motifs of varying sizes is unique and would add another dimension when layered with a traditional 20 motif Alhambra necklace. Van Cleef Alhambra earrings in different motif sizes are also highly collectible and in demand by collectors.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Lacquered Wood Motifs

Another inaccessible Alhambra motif is lacquered wood which makes a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra creation featuring these motifs very collectible. A Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra 20 motif necklace alternating wood and textured pink gold quatrefoil motifs, mounted in 18 karat pink gold is a rare piece that combines rich wood with rose gold. Sotheby's sold a Wood Alhambra Necklace featuring 20 motifs for 31,200 GBP or about $40,000, over 2.5 times the high estimate of 12,000 GBP.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace 20 Motifs Turquoise and White Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra with turquoise motifs is a rare find. It is almost always sold out since it is a very classic and desirable combination, especially when in white gold. A 20 motif Van Cleef Alhambra necklace is even harder to find due to demand for this original style.

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: Pavé-set Diamonds

While the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra with Pavé-set diamonds remains an offering from Van Cleef, Alhambra jewelry set with all diamond motifs is often sold out. If you want an all diamond Van Cleef Alhambra necklace it could take time to custom order. Sotheby's often has these Van Cleef Alhambra pieces at auction so make sure to check the sale calendar.

Buying and Selling Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra At Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view a Van Cleef Alhambra creation, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra from its global supplier network. In general Van Cleef Alhambra pieces sell at a small discount to retail of the piece is in excellent condition. Discontinued Van Cleef Alhambra creations can sell at a premium to retail depending on the motifs and condition.

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