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.
• Can I schedule an in-person appointment with a jewelry specialist?

  Yes, our jewelry specialists are located in California, New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Milan, and they also travel frequently to view pieces of jewelry in person. Schedule an appointment or inquire about a visit by calling or emailing your closest Sotheby's office.
  
  LOS ANGELES: +1 310 402 2348 , CaliforniaJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  SAN FRANCISCO +1 415 738 2946 , CaliforniaJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  NEW YORK: +1 646 518 8553 , NewYorkJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  GENEVA: +41 22 531 0022 , GenevaJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  HONG KONG: +852 5803 0036 , HongKongJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  LONDON: +44 20 3868 8645 , LondonJewels@sothebys.com
  PARIS: +33 1 53 05 52 37 , ParisJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  MILAN: +39 (0)22 950 0201 , MilanJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  TOKYO: +81 3 4590 0640 , JapanJewelsInquiry@sothebys.com
  MADRID: +34 91 123 4218
  MONTE CARLO: +377 93 30 88 80
  AMSTERDAM: +31 20 5502205
• Why sell at auction?

  From global exposure and competitive bidding to trusted expertise and a defined sale timeline, auctions offer advantages that private sales often cannot. Learn More .