Brief History of Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is a French luxury jewelry company founded in 1895 and opened its first boutique in 1906. The Van Cleef and Arpels signature style developed through the 20th century, shaped by diverse influences including nature, orientalism, couture, ballet and an imaginary world of fairytale and fantasy. Van Cleef is also known for technical ingenuity and the quest for the highest quality diamonds and gemstones.
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. In 2023, Sotheby's sold over $20 million in Van Cleef jewelry with prices ranging from over $1 million to $5,000. Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the most popular luxury jewelry designer brands with nearly 1.5 million google searches per month. The demand and popularity of Van Cleef bracelets can be measured in part by the number of monthly searches. There are twice as many Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet related searches as the next most popular jewelry category, the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. The growth of Van Cleef & Arpel's retail business is also an important driver for the secondary market. Demand for Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry fuels secondary market prices.
Most Collectible Van Cleef Bracelets
Van Cleef & Arpels has created a number of iconic bracelet designs that are highly collectible. Read on to learn more about the five most popular Van Cleef bracelet designs with new and seasoned collectors.
1. Van Cleef Bracelet Alhambra
Most Van Cleef bracelet collections begin with a Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet. The Van Cleef Alhambra was created in 1968 and is the most recognizable Van Cleef motif to modern collectors. The Van Cleef Alhambra was created during a time when Van Cleef & Arpels recognized the need to create more accessible fine jewelry for a new generation of women. The Van Cleef Alhambra design was inspired by the four leaf clover and reminiscent of traditional Moorish quatrefoil. In fact, the collection is said to be named after the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, which boasts a number of sweeping archways.
2. Van Cleef Bracelet Ludo
The Van Cleef Ludo bracelet was created in 1934 and is named after Louis Arpels' nickname. The Van Cleef & Arpels Ludo bracelet is inspired by belts and pays homage to couture. The Ludo Van Cleef bracelet was created when belted waists were in fashion. The Ludo Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet is flexible like a belt and the gem encrusted buckle sometimes also hides a secret watch. The briquette or honeycomb design combines tiny polished rectangles that reflect the light. The very distinct Ludo Van Cleef bracelet is a statement making piece to add your Van Cleef bracelet collection.
3. Van Cleef Bracelet Mystery Set
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. A Mystery Set Van Cleef bracelet is a must for Van Cleef bracelet collectors. Its unique design remains as timeless and elegant as when it was first introduced in 1933. The Mystery Set Van Cleef bracelet enables the diamonds and colored gemstones to take center stage.
4. Van Cleef Bracelet Flowers
The next Van Cleef bracelet on every collector's wish list is one featuring flowers. Van Cleef has featured flowers and other nature motifs in its jewelry designs since 1907. The delicate depiction of flowers in a Van Cleef bracelet is highly sought after due to its consistent link with the brand.
5. Van Cleef Bracelet High Jewelry
The ultimate High Jewelry Van Cleef bracelet is one featuring dramatic diamonds and gemstones. Sotheby's regularly sells Van Cleef High Jewelry that sells for $100,000 to over $1 million. These Van Cleef bracelets feature impressive stones and/or total carats exceeding 50 and more. Sotheby's sold an impressive Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond bracelet for $3.1 million in 2017. It featured five sugarloaf cabochon sapphires weighing a total of approximately 193.73 carats, joined by articulated segments of geometric design set with square, rectangular, round and old European-cut diamonds. This rare and collectible Van Cleef bracelet was from 1935 and was from the estate of Janice H Levin. In 2018, Sotheby's sold another rare and collectible Van Cleef bracelet for $1.2 million from 1925. The unique bracelet design featured a band of circular-cut diamonds, decorated with five quatrefoil motifs depicted by buff-top rubies and onyx, alternating with lotus motifs set with similarly cut emeralds and sapphires.
Advantages to Collecting Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelets on the Secondary Market
There are many advantages to buying Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets at Sotheby's. As one of the largest and most established global luxury secondary markets, Sotheby's offers clients many unique advantages when growing a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet collection.
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to some of the most exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels bacelets through its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is one of the few global luxury marketplaces that sells rare and impressive High Jewelry Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets exceeding $100,000 in addition to collectible Alhambra, iconic Mystery Set and unique Ludo designs. Our Jewelry specialists are always sourcing the best luxury jewelry from top brands including Van Cleef & Arpels. Sotheby's global presence also means we are sourcing a wide range of Van Cleef earring designs including timeless classics, special vintage finds and one of a kind custom creations. Sotheby's also regularly sells incredible private collections that can include custom designed Van Cleef bracelets that feature the most desirable diamonds and colored gem stones. If you are looking to build a collection of Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets, Sotheby's provides access to contemporary, vintage and one of a kind rare Van Cleef bracelets.
2. Flexibility
Since Sotheby's sells other top brands and high quality unbranded luxury jewelry, we can also provide greater flexibility when looking for a pair of diamond or gem stone earrings. Sotheby's jewelry experts can help you compare a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet with another brand and similar style of unbranded bracelet depending on your priorities. Flexibility at Sotheby's also includes multiple ways to purchase Van Cleef & Aprels bracelets. While Sotheby's is most known for its global auctions, Sotheby's also sells Van Cleef & Arpels online and also in salons in New York and Hong Kong. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Van Cleef bracelet that isn't available at auction or marketplace. Another advantage to Sotheby's is access to desirable Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets that are normally special order only. Sotheby's often has many desirable styles of Van Cleef bracelets available for immediate purchase. If you have a pending gifting occasion, waiting for special order Van Cleef bracelet may be inconvenient.
3. Value
As a leading global secondary market, Sotheby's often provides great value for Van Cleef & Arpels and other top luxury jewelry brands. While Sotheby's regularly sells high jewelry Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets over $100,000, many of these Van Cleef bracelets sell for below the original retail price. While the condition of the Van Cleef bracelets are often pristine, the price in the secondary market can be 10-20% below the original retail price for desirable earrings like Alhambra styles. For vintage and estate Van Cleef bracelets no longer in production, the secondary market prices can be 30-40% off of retail replacement values. The discount varies depending on the bracelet design and quality and size of the diamond and gem stones and overall market conditions. Some Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets can also sell at a premium to the original retail, especially for unique vintage styles, Van Cleef bracelets with provenance linked to celebrities and/or royalty and bracelets featuring exceptionally rare diamonds and colored gem stones. Sotheby's is a great place to start collecting Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets since we offer good value for iconic Alhambra. Sotheby's also provides seasoned collectors value for vintage and estate Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets at prices that can be materially lower than retail replacement values.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury secondary market is discovering unique pieces from decades earlier and custom designed one of a kind items. Sotheby's curated selection is always changing since Van Cleef is one of the top brands at Sotheby's. Each auction has a unique selection of Van Cleef bracelets that may be familiar but a slight variation, never before seen design or a vintage treasure that has been on your wishlist for some time. Browsing our latest auction or curated selection to get inspiration when building a collection of both contemporary and vintage Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets. You are likely to discover something new to you from Van Cleef & Arpels.
Buying and Selling Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelets At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to view a Van Cleef bracelet, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets from its global supplier network.
The price of a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet ranges from around $5,000 for a basic single motif Alhambra bracelet to over $1 million for a High Jewelry Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet. The Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet is generally the least expensive Van Cleef bracelet. Most Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets range from $20,000 - $100,000 if the bracelet has diamonds and other gemstones. The size, quality and quantity of the diamonds and gemstones in addition to the craftsmanship of the design all factor into the price of a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet. Additionally rare vintage or custom designed Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets are more expensive than a style that was made in larger quantity and is readily available on the secondary market.
- Explore upcoming jewelry auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Contact a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.