The 5 Most Expensive Van Cleef & Arpels Rings Sold at Auction in 2024
Discover the Top 5 Most Expensive Van Cleef & Arpels Rings Sold in 2024 at Sotheby's.
Brief History of Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1906 at Place Vendôme in Paris, following the 1895 marriage of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, who both came from jewelry merchant families. Sharing a passion for precious stones and innovation, Alfred Van Cleef partnered with Estelle's brother, Charles Arpels, to open the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique. Van Cleef & Arpels has since adorned royalty and celebrities alike—from Queen Sophia of Spain and Grace Kelly to Mariah Carey and Reese Witherspoon. Now part of the Richemont group since 1999, the brand remains a leading jewelry house, renowned for its stunning use of diamonds, sapphires, carnelian, and other precious stones. Below we take a closer look at five of the most expensive Van Cleef bracelets sold in 2024 at Sotheby's.
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring, 810,000 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring sold for 810,000 USD in December 2024. This exceptional piece features a stunning 11.86-carat emerald-cut diamond at its center, flanked by two half moon-shaped diamonds. Crafted in platinum, the ring is signed Van Cleef & Arpels and numbered N.Y. 2624 S.O. The accent diamonds, totaling approximately 2.90 carats, are of exceptional F-G color and VVS-VS clarity, further enhancing the ring’s brilliance and refinement.
Accompanied by a GIA report confirming the center diamond as D color and VS1 clarity, along with a letter verifying its rare Type IIa classification, this ring stands as a remarkable example of Van Cleef & Arpels’ expertise in sourcing and showcasing exceptional gemstones. Type IIa diamonds are celebrated for their superior purity and brilliance, qualities that have long been favored by royalty and collectors alike. This exquisite ring continues Van Cleef & Arpels’ legacy of creating timeless, luxurious jewelry that embodies both elegance and rarity.
Van Cleef & Arpels Superb Emerald and Diamond Ring, 384,000 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Superb Emerald and Diamond Ring sold for 384,000 USD in June 2024. This exceptional ring features an octagonal emerald weighing 7.43 carats, framed and accented by brilliant-cut diamonds. Crafted in 1961 and signed by the Maison, the piece boasts exceptional quality and craftsmanship, making it a standout example of mid-20th-century jewelry design.
This ring once belonged to Ava Gardner, one of Hollywood’s most glamorous icons. Known for her striking beauty and captivating screen presence, Gardner was also a discerning collector of fine jewelry, often selecting pieces that reflected her impeccable taste. She acquired the remarkable emerald in Los Angeles before entrusting Van Cleef & Arpels to create a bespoke setting for it. Praised for its "almost flawless" quality and vibrant green hue typical of Colombian emeralds, this jewel was described by historians Stefano Papi and Alexandra Rhodes as the finest piece in Gardner’s collection, cementing its status as a true treasure in the world of haute joaillerie.
Van Cleef & Arpels Unique Diamond and Coloured Diamond Ring, 1,920,000 HKD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Unique Diamond and Coloured Diamond Ring sold for 1,920,000 HKD in October 2024. This exquisite ring features a 5.65-carat cushion-shaped diamond of D color and Internally Flawless clarity, elegantly accented by brilliant-cut diamonds and delicate diamonds of pink tint. Expertly mounted in platinum and 18 karat pink gold, the piece is signed Van Cleef & Arpels, complete with French assay and maker’s marks, and presented in a case stamped by the Maison.
The centerpiece of this ring—a rare Type IIa diamond—is among the most chemically pure diamonds, known for their unmatched optical transparency and brilliance. The subtle pink-tinted diamonds surrounding the central stone add a soft, romantic hue, enhancing its overall elegance. These delicate color variations are the result of unique atomic structures and trace elements formed under extreme conditions deep within the Earth. Thing ring beautifully reflects Van Cleef & Arpels’ tradition of transforming extraordinary materials into timeless works of art.
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald and Diamond Ring, 216,000 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald and Diamond Ring sold for 216,000 USD in June 2024. This exquisite piece features a 3.67-carat octagonal step-cut emerald, accented by baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds. Crafted in 18 karat gold, the ring is signed Van Cleef & Arpels and bears French assay and workshop marks. The ring is accompanied by its original signed box and a Gübelin report confirming the emerald’s Colombian origin with no clarity enhancement.
Drawing inspiration from Van Cleef & Arpels' storied tradition of using exceptional colored gemstones, this emerald and diamond ring echoes the brand’s historic affinity for vibrant, high-quality emeralds. The sleek, geometric design paired with the brilliance of F-G color, VS clarity diamonds perfectly embodies Van Cleef & Arpels' glamorous designs.
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring, 84,000 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ring sold for 84,000 USD in September 2024. Crafted circa 1925, this elegant ring features a 7.12-carat round-cornered square step-cut diamond set in an intricate openwork platinum mounting. Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels and bearing the French assay mark, the ring exemplifies the Maison's exceptional craftsmanship during the height of the Art Deco era.
This striking ring embodies the bold, geometric elegance that defined Van Cleef & Arpels' creations during the 1920s. In 1925, the Maison gained international acclaim by winning the grand prize for jewelry at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris—a pivotal moment that solidified its role in shaping the Art Deco movement. Under the visionary leadership of Renée Puissant and her collaboration with designer René Sim Lacaze, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced daring, architectural designs that blended luxury with modernity. This diamond ring, with its clean lines and refined setting, continues that legacy of innovation and elegance.
Buy and Sell Van Cleef & Arpels Rings at Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Van Cleef & Arpels ring available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels rings available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view a Van Cleef ring, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Van Cleef & Arpels rings from its global supplier network. Van Cleef & Arpels yellow gold and diamond rings are the most accessible Cartier ring style at around $5,000 while rare Van Cleef & Arpels diamond rings generally sell for over $100,000.
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