Jewelry

The Story of the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra

Regal Jewelry Buyers is a great resource for people when their pieces of jewelry may have lost a little of the luster they once felt for them. It is a natural human emotion to want to acquire something, to enjoy it for a period, and then to perhaps want to experience something different.

Photo Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels

There was a particular piece of jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels that one of our clients lusted after for years. It was from Van Cleef’s Alhambra collection that was first designed in 1968. The collection seems timeless and is still extremely popular to this day and remains emblematic of the famous brand. Inspired by the cloverleaf, this collection is a reference to luck, health, fortune, and love. This specific design is over four decades old and comes in a rich variety of models and colored stones. The mother-of-pearl version was the one our client had yearned for. It is disarmingly understated and sophisticated. The style is light, delicate and discreet. This design garnered its name because it was influenced by the Moorish quatrefoil found in the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

After saving up to acquire the few pieces she yearned for, they were worn often and with great pride. One day she was attending a fundraiser at a local restaurant and wore the necklace and earrings to the event. As the other attendees arrived she noticed first one, then two, then several other women wearing the identical versions of her pieces. Everyone looked spectacular, lovely and au courant but somehow she felt it diminished the uniqueness of the pieces. That was ok because she knew she could turn to Regal Jewelry buyers to sell the pieces she no longer craved and with that money, she could purchase another beautiful piece from Van Cleef & Arpels Desires change through one’s lifetime and new yearnings develop.

Regal Estate Jewelry Buyers knows exactly how to determine the value of your fine jewelry. Boxes, paperwork and original purchase receipts are incredibly helpful and can increase your cash offer.

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Since Van Cleef & Arpels is renowned for their whimsical designs it is fun to acquire a piece that showcases that bit of flair as well as fine craftsmanship. Perhaps one would take a trip to their flagship location in Paris’s prestigious Place Vendôme. Contemplate stepping away from their more traditional pieces and opt instead for one of their exotic birds, flowers or fairies. Perhaps something that would have inspired Princess Grace of Monaco or Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Prince Rainer took Grace Kelly to the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in New York City where they met Louis Arpels. As a wedding gift from the prince, he had her personally select a series of pearl pieces to create a suite of her very own choosing. Kelly selected a triple-strand pearl necklace with a diamond swirl motif, a triple-strand pearl bracelet with diamonds, beautiful pearl earrings and a diamond blossom ring with a pearl center.

The Maison, Van Cleef & Arpels, became the Official Supplier to the Principality of Monaco during Grace Kelly’s reign in 1956. She became an avid collector of their wide range and varied collections. Kelly’s collection ranged from the more traditional to the whimsical. She was attracted to the playful range of cartoon-style animals in the “La Boutique” collection, which was introduced in 1954.

Jackie O was also very fond of Van Cleef & Arpels designs and collections. She was also a fan of the light-hearted and whimsical La Boutique collection.

A multi-gem clip brooch, by Van Cleef & Arpels. The piece sold for HK $250,000 on 26 May 2009 at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Storytelling is part of Van Cleef’s’ history, it is ingrained in their DNA. Their inspirations have come from various sources, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Brothers Grimm, and French Fairytales. The piece is from the Grimm’s 12 Dancing Princesses collection and tells the story of how the king was made aware of his daughters’ nighttime ritual of dancing by the worn-out soles on their shoes. It is perched on a cushion made from lapis lazuli. (Brooch pictured on right, photo credit: www.telegraph.co.uk)

The most fascinating collection may be the “Le Secret” High Jewelry collection. It contains carefully hidden treasures that are meticulously created by masterful jewelers. This butterfly is hidden within the petals of a beautiful floral pin. Its hues blend with those of the flower. The jewelers use imperceptible mechanisms within their creations to create their unbelievable secrets hidden within the pieces in this collection. Le Secret mesmerizes with hidden mechanisms, secret engravings of poetry, and seamless transformations.

Once you own a piece of jewelry from Van Cleef and Arpels you will most likely become a faithful follower that continues to be delighted and inspired by the charming bejeweled universe that they have created.

Regal Jewelry Buyers has a resale network built over decades and expertise in Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, and other high-end jewelry. We are able to pay the highest prices for previously-owned fine jewelry and diamond rings. Contact Regal Estate Jewelry Buyers to get a quote on the best price to sell a gemstone or piece of heirloom jewelry through their experienced Graduate Gemologist and GIA certified jewelry and watch buyers. They are the highly trained and qualified place to get a valuation on your jewels.