Love & Luxury Unite with Van Cleef & Arpels

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Ruby Ring. Photo ©2014 EraGem Jewelry. by Angela Magnotti Andrews The passion of red ruby surrounded by the purity of white diamonds constitutes the perfect blend of love and luxury. A pristine oval-cut red ruby stands front and center, a beautiful declaration of love's ardent passions. Surrounding the red stone are eight round brilliant diamonds, a halo symbolizing pure devotion. Two large pear-cut diamonds are set en pointe in a north-south orientation, with two marquise-cut diamonds set vertically in an east-west position. Between them lie four smaller pear-cut diamonds. The effect is pure, exquisite luxury, a characteristic long associated with every Van Cleef & Arpels piece. This natural pairing of Luxury and Love have long been united in the hallowed halls of one of the world's most notable jewelry houses. Some of the most extravagant gestures of love have been signed VC/A*. Among them, a stunning diamond and ruby bracelet commissioned by the former King of England, Edward VIII, for his mistress, later his bride. Set with four clusters of rubies surrounded by white diamonds, this token of affection was inscribed with the couple's enduring motto: 'Hold Tight'. Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, and Princess Grace of Monaco were also showered with jewels created by the iconic Parisian jewelers. It should come as no surprise, then, that a love story forms the very foundation of the famed house. According to their website, the impressive jewelry dynasty was "inspired by the unique creative energy of love" {4}. While the details of this legendary love story continue to elude the public eye, the broad strokes paint a story in which Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef enjoyed a "love story like no other, a great adventure beyond expectation" {4}. Alfred Van Cleef made his start in jewelry at the bench of David et Grosgeat, where he learned to create and market beautiful jewelry. After his marriage to Estelle, Alfred joined forces with his bride's father, Léon Salomon Arpels. Together they opened a small jewelry shop specializing in precious stones {3}. After the senior Mr. Arpels passed away in 1906, his sons, Charles-Salomon, Julien, and Louis Arpels, threw their lot in with Alfred and Estelle, and the family opened a shop on the prestigious place de Vendome. The family dedicated their life to perform "the ultimate act of creativity" by combining exceptional stones in uncommon settings to transform precious metals and gemstones into phenomenal jewels {1}. During World War II, the Van Cleef & Arpels families fled the hostile environs of Paris and settled in New York. Well established as principal players upon the international jewelry stage, Van Cleef & Arpels remained a family-owned and operated business until 1999, when it was purchased by a Swiss luxury group {3}.

*The company's hallmark substitutes the / with a stylized imprint of their company's flagship store.

Notes

1. Macklowe Gallery. "Van Cleef & Arpels." Accessed April 4, 2014. http://www.macklowegallery.com/education.asp/art+nouveau/Artist+Biographies/antiques/Jewelry+Artists/education/Van+Cleef+%26amp%3B+Arpels/id/12.
2. Primavera Gallery. "Van Cleef and Arpels." Accessed April 4, 2014. http://www.primaveragallery.com/biography/van-cleef-and-arpels-bio.
3. Serafin, Amy. "Van Cleef & Arpels: The Family, The Jewels, The Legend," France Magazine, Fall 2012.
4. Van Cleef & Arpels. "Estelle & Alfred: The Founding Love Story." Accessed April 4, 2014. http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/article/3080/estelle-alfred-the-founding-love-story.
5. Van Cleef & Arpels. "The Maison's Enchanting Love Stories." Accessed April 4, 2014. http://www.vancleefarpels.com/ww/en/article/806/the-maisons-enchanting-love-stories.