High Jewelry
What are the six High Jewelry families?
Signature Collections
Special Orders
Classic High Jewelry
Pierres des Caractere
Heritage Collections
Thematic Collections
When did the Maison introduced thematic collections? What are three major inspirations for these collections?
2003
Literature/art/culture, nature, exceptional stones - Thematic collections are inspired by motifs that are important to the Maison.
There are many sources of inspiration which alternate through the collections and through the years.
What was the inspiration behind Sous les étoiles? When was this collection launched?
This collection was inspired by the cosmos from works of popular science to cosmic landscapes. Launched in 2020
In which city did Le Grand Tour typically start?
London
Which artist collaborated with the Maison for the launch of the Treasure Island by Van Cleef & Arpels collection?
David B.
In 2024, David B. collaborated with Van Cleef & Arpels in the context of the Treasure Island collection.
Through a series of very detailed color illustrations, he shares his dreamlike vision of the Robert Louis Stevenson story.
Which artistic movement inspired Classic High Jewelry? Can you name some of the different collections?
Art Deco
- Snowflake
- Palmyre
- A Cheval
- Olympia
What was the inspiration for the High Jewelry thematic collection Le Grand Tour by Van Cleef & Arpels?
Literature, art and culture
On what occasion was the Moon pendant created by Van Cleef & Arpels?
The first man on the Moon
What does "Le Grad Tour" refer to?
In the 18th century, the grand tour was referred to as a voyage of initiation across Europe for young aristocrats. This expedition lasted 2-3 years and was meant to help them forge their character, broaden their minds and help them enter into society.
What was the inspiration behind Treasure Island? How many pieces are there in the Treasure Island by Van Cleef & Arpels collection?
Drawing inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island, Van Cleef & Arpels created its own world of treasures and discovery.
More than 300.Treasure Island by Van Cleef & Arpels is the most voluminous thematic collection produced to the present day in terms of the number of pieces (2024).
What do our signature collections illustrate? Can you name some themes/pieces that you see in our signature collections?
The Van Cleef & Arpels Signature collections illustrate the Maison’s style and savoir-faire.
They are part of an enchanting universe of gem-set flowers, colorful butterflies, necklaces that transform into bracelets, and much more.
- Ludo
- Zip
- Liane
- Feminine Figures
- Butterflies
What was the Maison's very first thematic collection? What was it inspired by and how many pieces did it feature?
The Maison’s very first thematic collection, Songe d'une nuit d'été, only featured 53 pieces.
A midsummer night’s dream is a tribute to one of William Shakespeare’s works, the collection is an enchanting ode to nature and love, two of the Maison’s emblematic sources of inspiration.
What was the carat weight and quality of the Lesotho Legend? How many diamonds were we able to cut from the rough?
910 carats. It combined a perfect D color, beautiful crystallization, and a highly sought-after Type 2A chemical composition.
We were able to cut 67 diamonds from the rough
Which city was not included as a source of inspiration for the Maison’s Le Grand Tour collection? London, Naples or Prague
Prague
Name some of the gold work techniques observed in this collection.
Hammered gold
Mirror-polished gold
Twisted gold
Engraved gold
When was our heritage collection created? How does a piece become a heritage piece? What are the steps?
This collection was created in 2007
1. Each creation is subject to meticulous examination by the experts at Van Cleef & Arpels.
2. The artisans in the workshops analyze the condition of the piece and the materials of which each one is composed.
3.Each piece is cleaned and repaired if necessary
4. The patrimony department is responsible for their identification, and always carries out scrupulous research in the Maison's archives.
5. Following this, they authenticate the piece, an essential certification that allows its entry into the Heritage collection and its sale.
What were the 3 thematic collections launched in 2006? What was the reason for these three launches?
A century after the Maison was founded, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled three High Jewelry thematic collections celebrating savoir-faire, exceptional stones, and the Maison’s birthplace.
Pierres de Caractere - The Maison highlighted and celebrated our exceptional gems.
Tresors Reveles - As a tribute to the designers and artisans of the Maison who have been writing its story since 1906.
Une Journee a Paris - A stroll through Paris highlighting the city and it's iconic sights
How many mystery set pieces were we able to create for Legend of Diamonds? What other variations did we include as a part of this collection?
We were able to create 25 mystery set pieces. We also launched the white diamond variation putting diamonds and our selection criteria in the spotlight
How many pieces make up the Le Grand Tour by Van Cleef & Arpels collection?
80
How many pieces in this collection uses the Vitrail Mystery Set technique? What are they?
In this collection, the Vitrail Mystery Set technique is used in 2 pieces:
- Poissions Mysterieux clip
- Phil Mysterieux clip
Select one:
Étincelles d'émeraudes necklace:
- How many ways could this piece be transformed?
- What is the origin of the emeralds? How many carats?
or,
Treasures of India:
- How many pieces were created in this collection?
- What was the inspiration behind this collection?
Étincelles d'émeraudes necklace:
This transformable necklace may be worn five different ways.
Colombian emeralds totaling 39.04 carats.
Treasures of India:
A special order of five clips.
Inspired by and, representing Hindu deities: Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Saraswati, and Lakshmi.
What was the inspiration between 2018 Quatre contes de Grimm? What were the 4 tales this collection illustrated?
This collection was inspired by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and illustrated four of their timeless tales: The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Golden Bird, The Three Feathers, and The Bremen Town Musicians.
What was the inspiration behind the Halley necklace? What stones were used to accentuate this piece? What was the carat weight of the largest stone?
This necklace is inspired by the passage of Halley's Comet, visible from Earth every 75 years.
White an yellow diamonds. The largest stone is a pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond of 11.29 carats
How many wearing possibilities does the Josiah set offer? What is the inspiration behind it?
4
It is inspired by London the birthplace of Wedgwood porcelain.
What was the inspiration behind the following:
- Hispaniola Clip
- Palmier Mysterieux Clip
- Carte au trésor clip
1. This clip pays homage to the namesake ship described by the author Robert L. Stevenson. The Hispaniola is the vessel on which the characters set out to find the treasure.
2. Inspired by the palm trees in the novel, this transformable clip alludes to the world of adventure and intrigue
3. Inspired by the treasure map in the novel, this clip was brought to life thanks to an incredible work on gold.