The Six Most Expensive Van Cleef Earrings
Discover the Top 6 Most Expensive Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings Sold at Sotheby's.
Brief Background Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1906 at Place Vendôme in Paris, following the 1895 marriage of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, who both came from jewelry merchant families. Sharing a passion for precious stones and innovation, Alfred Van Cleef partnered with Estelle's brother, Charles Arpels, to open the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique. Van Cleef & Arpels has since adorned royalty and celebrities alike—from Queen Sophia of Spain and Grace Kelly to Mariah Carey and Reese Witherspoon. Now part of the Richemont group since 1999, the brand remains a leading jewelry house, renowned for its stunning use of diamonds, sapphires, carnelian, and other precious stones. Below, we explore six of the most expensive pairs of Van Cleef earrings ever sold at Sotheby’s.
Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Earrings, 444,500 CHF
The Van Cleef & Arpels 'Bombay' Pair of Sapphire and Diamond Pendent Earrings sold for 444,500 CHF in May 2024. Each detachable pendant features a stunning cushion-shaped sapphire, weighing 3.27 and 3.12 carats respectively, set with brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds. The surmounts are elegantly decorated with reverse-set triangular diamonds, and the earrings are designed with post and hinged back fittings for secure wear.
The sapphire is a gemstone that has long been a favorite of Van Cleef & Arpels. A member of the corundum family, sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, making them a durable and highly prized gemstone. Van Cleef & Arpels is renowned for its meticulous selection of striking-blue sapphires, choosing stones that display an ardent color, a brilliant glow, and a pure essence. The Maison's ability to capture the delicate velvety flair of the sapphire in its designs results in creations that are both timeless and captivating.
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald and Diamond Earrings, 481,800 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Pair of Emerald and Diamond Earrings sold for $481,800 at Sotheby’s in 2023. Each earring showcases an exquisite emerald-cut emerald, weighing 5.90 and 4.63 carats respectively, framed by a dazzling array of round, pear-, and marquise-shaped diamonds. The emeralds, of Classic Colombian origin, exhibit a medium deep tone with a richly saturated very slightly bluish-green hue. Set in platinum and 18-karat white gold, the earrings are designed to highlight the luminous interplay between the emeralds and the diamonds, which together total approximately 15.15 carats and are graded F-G color with VS clarity.
Emeralds have long been a signature of Van Cleef & Arpels, admired for their rich color and timeless appeal. The Maison carefully selects emeralds that exhibit both vibrancy and clarity, emphasizing stones with minimal enhancement to preserve their natural beauty. Colombian emeralds, prized for their exceptional quality, are particularly sought after for their deep green hue and remarkable luminosity. In these earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels masterfully balances the velvety texture of the emeralds with the brilliance of diamonds, creating a composition that is both sophisticated and enduring.
Van Cleef Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, 209,550 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Pair of Mystery-Set Sapphire and Diamond Earrings sold for $209,550 at Sotheby’s in 2023. Designed as exquisite sapphire flowerheads, each earring features the Maison’s patented Mystery Set, a technique introduced in 1933 to highlight the natural beauty of gemstones without visible metal settings. The sapphires, meticulously cut and precisely placed into gold rails, exhibit a medium to medium-dark blue hue with moderate saturation. Round diamonds accentuate the flowerhead design, framing the sapphires with brilliance. These exceptional earrings were part of the prestigious 2023 Wolf Family Collection sale.
Van Cleef & Arpels' Mystery Set is a hallmark of the Maison’s technical innovation and artistry. This intricate setting, requiring hundreds of hours of craftsmanship, creates an uninterrupted surface of shimmering gemstones. The technique has been used to showcase diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, resulting in pieces that exude elegance and refinement. In these earrings, the velvety depth of the sapphires is beautifully complemented by approximately 7.95 carats of F-G color, VVS-VS clarity diamonds, demonstrating Van Cleef & Arpels’ ability to transform gemstones into timeless works of art.
Van Cleef & Arpels Emerald and Diamond Pendent Earrings, 186,000 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Pair of Emerald and Diamond Pendent Earrings sold for $186,000 at Sotheby’s in 2023. Commissioned as a complementary piece to the 'Kallima' Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond and emerald mystery-set ring, these earrings feature four cushion-shaped emeralds, weighing 3.82, 3.38, 2.90, and 2.89 carats, respectively. The emeralds are of Colombian origin, displaying a rich green hue with indications of minor clarity enhancement. Brilliant-cut diamonds of yellow tint, along with baguette and additional brilliant-cut diamonds, accentuate the design, enhancing the luminous beauty of the gemstones.
Van Cleef & Arpels is celebrated for its expertise in crafting exceptional emerald jewelry, selecting stones that radiate intensity and character. Colombian emeralds, known for their unparalleled color and brilliance, have long been favored by the Maison for their remarkable depth and saturation. The combination of emeralds with diamonds of varying cuts creates a striking interplay of color and light, a signature of Van Cleef & Arpels’ artistry. With a design that merges elegance with vibrant contrast, these earrings are a testament to the Maison’s mastery in gemstone selection and sophisticated craftsmanship.
Van Cleef & Arpels Sapphire and Diamond Earclips, 171,450 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Pair of Mystery-Set Sapphire and Diamond Earrings sold for $171,450 at Sotheby’s in 2023. These exquisite earrings showcase the Maison’s iconic Mystery Set technique, which was patented in 1933 to highlight the beauty of gemstones without visible metal settings. The sapphires, meticulously cut and precisely placed into gold rails, exhibit a medium deep violetish-blue hue with slight inclusions. Framed by brilliant diamonds weighing approximately 2.20 carats, the earrings exemplify Van Cleef & Arpels’ dedication to exceptional craftsmanship. These earrings were part of the prestigious Wolf Family Collection sale in 2023.
The Mystery Set is a signature of Van Cleef & Arpels, requiring extraordinary skill and precision. This technique, used for diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, creates a seamless, velvety surface that enhances the depth and radiance of each gemstone. Sapphires, long cherished by the Maison for their regal hues and durability, are carefully selected to ensure harmonious color and brilliance. In these earrings, the interplay of sapphire and diamond captures the timeless elegance of Van Cleef & Arpels, resulting in a creation that is both innovative and refined.
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Earrings, 139,700 USD
The Van Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold and Diamond Pendant Earrings sold for $139,700 at Sotheby’s in 2023. Showcasing the Maison’s signature elegance, these earrings feature an exquisite arrangement of tapered baguette and round diamonds. The diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 25.00–28.00 carats, are graded F-H color with VVS-VS clarity, ensuring exceptional brilliance. Designed for both sophistication and versatility, the earrings exude a timeless radiance characteristic of Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewelry creations.
Diamonds have long been central to Van Cleef & Arpels’ artistry, celebrated for their purity and light-reflecting brilliance. The Maison carefully selects stones that balance fire, scintillation, and clarity, enhancing each design with meticulous craftsmanship. Tapered baguette-cut diamonds, known for their sleek and geometric appeal, contrast beautifully with the soft sparkle of round diamonds, creating a harmonious composition. This masterful combination highlights Van Cleef & Arpels’ ability to transform diamonds into luminous works of art, embodying the Maison’s legacy of refinement and excellence.
Van Cleef earrings represent the pinnacle of haute joaillerie, combining exceptional gemstones, masterful craftsmanship, and the Maison’s signature design innovations. The remarkable results at Sotheby’s highlight the enduring desirability of these exquisite creations, from Mystery Set sapphire masterpieces to emerald and diamond showstoppers. With each pair showcasing the brand’s meticulous attention to detail and timeless elegance, Van Cleef & Arpels earrings remain some of the most sought-after treasures in the world of fine jewelry, continuing to captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Advantages to Buying Van Cleef & Arpels on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry from its long established global network of sellers. As a leading marketplace, Sotheby's offers pristine Van Cleef & Arpels pieces in the most coveted designs and gemstones. Our jewelry specialists are dedicated to sourcing the most desirable Van Cleef & Arpels pieces from collectors around the world.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby’s offers multiple ways to purchase Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, including online and in person at our locations in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris, and London. We also provide a concierge service to help source specific Van Cleef & Arpels pieces not available online.
3. Value
While Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques offer their iconic jewelry collections, finding specific designs, gemstones, or styles can sometimes be a challenge due to limited availability. Sotheby’s provides a curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels pieces, including rare and sought-after designs, available for purchase without the need to visit a physical store. Shopping with Sotheby’s allows you to discover exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, from vintage masterpieces to contemporary classics, all in one place. Whether you're searching for a timeless diamond engagement ring or a unique statement piece, Sotheby’s offers a seamless and efficient way to acquire the perfect Van Cleef & Arpelstreasure, saving you time while ensuring authenticity and quality.
4. Discovery
One of the greatest advantages of shopping in a global luxury marketplace is the chance to discover unique, one-of-a-kind Van Cleef & Arpels pieces and rare, limited-edition jewels no longer available at Van Cleef & Arpels stores. Our curated selection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry is continuously refreshed, ensuring that you’ll always find something new and exclusive.
Buy and Sell Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings at Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has rare and collectible 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.
Prices for Van Cleef & Arpels earrings begin at around $5,000 for basic gold earclips and can exceed $150,000 for rare Van Cleef earrings. Several factors influence the price of Van Cleef earrings, including the size, quality, and quantity of the diamonds and gemstones, as well as the craftsmanship of the design. Additionally, rare vintage pieces or custom-designed earrings tend to be more expensive than widely produced styles that are readily available on the secondary market.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at 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 earrings.
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