Brief Background Van Cleef and Arpels
Van Cleef and Arpels is a French luxury jewelry company founded in 1895 and opened its first boutique in 1906. In 1999, Richemont acquired 60% of Van Cleef and increased its ownership to 80% in 2001. Richemont also owns 19 luxury brands including Cartier and Buccellati. Van Cleef is one of the most popular luxury jewelry designer brands with nearly 1.5M google searches per month. In 2023, Sotheby's sold over $20 million in Van Cleef jewelry with prices ranging from over $1 million to $5,000. "Signed jewels by the legendary maisons (including Van Cleef) continued to dazzle, as connoisseurs hunted particularly for iconic, vintage jewels that represented the best the great houses had to offer." Quig Bruning, SVP Head of Jewelry, Americas & EMEA.
Below we take a closer look at six of the most expensive pair of Van Cleef earrings sold in 2023 at Sotheby's. Not surprisingly the most expensive Van Cleef earrings featured high quality stones, elaborate designs and the pieces are impressive in scale.
1. Van Cleef Earrings $481,800
The most expensive pair of Van Cleef earrings sold for $481,800 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The Van Cleef earrings feature two emerald-cut emeralds weighing 5.90 and 4.63 carats, framed by round, pear- and marquise-shaped diamonds. The emeralds are of Classic Colombian origin, clarity enhancement: insignificant to minor, type: traditional. The Van Cleef earrings are platinum and 18 karat white gold. The emeralds are medium deep tone, richly saturated very slightly bluish green, slightly to moderately included, with a few minor abrasions to facet junctions and surface-reaching inclusions. The diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 15.15 carats, are approximately F-G color, VS clarity.
2. Van Cleef Earings $209,550
The second most expensive pair of Van Cleef earrings sold for $209,550 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The Van Cleef earrings are designed as a mystery-set sapphire flowerhead with centers and borders set with round diamonds. The Van Cleef Mystery Set was patented in 1933 and introduced a new way of setting precious stones that was designed to preserve their beauty. The stones are meticulously cut and individually inserted into gold rails. Van Cleef uses this setting for diamonds, rubies and also sapphires and emeralds. The sapphires are medium to medium dark blue with moderate saturation and are slightly included, a few with small chips to the girdles. The diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of approximately 7.95 carats are approximately F-G color, VVS-VS clarity. These Van Cleef earrings were included in the 2023 Wolf Family Collection sale.
3. Van Cleef Earrings $186,000
The third most expensive pair of Van Cleef earrings sold for $186,000 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The elegant pair of Van Cleef emerald and diamond pendent earrings were commissioned at Van Cleef as an accompanying piece to the Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond and emerald mystery-set ring, 'Kallima'. The Van Cleef earrings are set with cushion-shaped emeralds weighing 3.82, 3.38, 2.90 and 2.89 carats respectively, enhanced with brilliant-cut diamonds of yellow tint as well as baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds. The emeralds are of Colombian origin, with indications of minor clarity enhancement.
4. Van Cleef Earrings $171,450
The fourth most expensive Van Cleef earring sold for $141,450 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The Van Cleef earrings feature 'Mystery-Set' with sapphires and diamonds. The Van Cleef Mystery Set was patented in 1933 and introduced a new way of setting precious stones that was designed to preserve their beauty. The stones are meticulously cut and individually inserted into gold rails. Van Cleef uses this setting for diamonds, rubies and also sapphires and emeralds. The sapphires are medium deep violetish blue, slightly included. The diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 2.20 carats, are approximately F-G color, VVS-VS clarity. These Van Cleef earrings were included in the Wolf Family Collection sale in 2023.
5. Van Cleef Earrings $139,700 USD
The fifth most expensive pair of Van Cleef earrings sold for $139,700 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The Van Cleef gold and diamond pendant earrings are set with tapered baguette and round diamonds. The diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 25.00-28.00 carats are approximately F-H color, VVS-VS clarity.
6. Van Cleef Earrings $129,000
The sixth most expensive Van Cleef earrings sold for $129,000 in 2023 at Sotheby's. The Van Cleef "Snowflake" diamond pendent earrings are set throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds. The Van Cleef earrings have openwork design featuring rosette motifs. The Van Cleef earrings are platinum and 18 karat gold with diamonds estimated to weigh a total of approximately 15.00 - 18.00 carats, on average G-H colour, VVS-VS clarity.
Buying and Selling Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings at Sotheby's
While these Van Cleef & Arpels earrings are no longer avaialble, Sotheby's often has impressive Van Cleef & Arpels earrings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view a pair of Van Cleef earrings, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Van Cleef & Arpels earrings from its global supplier network.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling Van Cleef & Arpels earrings.
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