Sell Your Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry with Sotheby's

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the most popular Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry designs?

  When jewelry connoisseurs think of Van Cleef & Arpels, the serti mystérieux, or mystery setting, immediately comes to mind. Developed and patented in 1933, Alfred Langlois, one of the maison’s chief designers in Paris, created this technique for setting small, perfectly-matched square stones in a mosaic pattern, secured by thin wires on the reverse, with no prongs visible and no metal between the stones to hinder the flow of light through the gems. The clover ‘Alhambra’ line has been widely adored by collectors and celebrities alike throughout the years, with its endless combination of forms, sizes and materials. Additionally, the iconic ‘Zip’ necklace, commissioned by the Duchess of Windsor and created by Renée Puissant, the Maison’s artistic director in 1938, has become a contemporary classic donned by celebrities such as Margot Robbie and Cate Blanchett.
• How much is my Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry worth?

  Sotheby's specialists have years of experience in valuing Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry and that of other designers. When you submit your Van Cleef necklace, ring, bracelet, or other jewelry online, our specialists will consider its general condition, prices achieved at auction for similar pieces, quality of the gemstones, and its history of ownership before determining an appropriate auction estimate.
• Do all pieces of Van Cleef jewelry have a signature?

  Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry pieces will typically have a signature. Although the brand trademark has changed over the years they typically are signed Van Cleef & Arpels or VCA. When you submit your Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry for review by our specialists, do include any images of marks and signatures.