Van Cleef and Arpels is one of the very best luxury French jewelry designers. The company was founded by Alfred Van Cleef and Salomon Arpels and they introduced their very first luxury boutique in 1906 in Paris. The pair quickly became known for the amount of expertise in excellent precious stones and in particular for their settings, known as the mystery setting.
The company saw the second generation of family join them in 1942 and the Arpels moved to America where they opened a luxury boutique on 5th Avenue. The luxury jewelers were the first French jewelers to open luxury stores in Japan and China. The family run business of some of the very best jewelers has always been managed by a member of the Arpels family right until it was taken over in 1999. During the reign of Van Cleef and Arpels the company has seen members of royalty and industrial magnets become clients. Today the brand name is located throughout Europe, the USA, Asia and the Middle East and is recognized as being among the very best for luxury jewelry.
Since the founding the company has marked many milestones. They were the first luxury jeweler to manufacturer a watch with a leather strap, they designed the padlock wristwatch, the Cadenas, a luxury zip necklace that is opened and closed the same as a traditional zipper. Collections have consisted of such as the Couture collection, the Pierres de Caractere collection and the Jardins collection in 2008. Van Cleef and Arpels are considered to be among the very best due to the excellent stones used in their jewelry. The stones are said to be among the very best in the world, some of the most unique and beautiful, the finest around the globe. Rare luxury stones have in the past included aquamarines, mandarin garments and unexpected luxury treasures such as mother of pearl. The unique mystery setting is something else that is unique to the luxury French jewelers. The excellent paving has no visible claws and the setting has been perfect and protected by the company over the years. The quality of stones used in the setting is of the very best; only the most excellent and finest of stones are used. Stones are chosen based on their clarity and color. These stones are then set on a very fine net of gold or platinum.
Van Cleef and Arpels have attracted famous clientele over the years: The Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Queen of Spain and the Princess of Wales have all purchased their luxury jewelry. Stars of the stage and screen have also chosen the French jeweler as being the very best. Names such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Mariah Kennedy and Annie Lennox have been seen wearing the luxury creations.
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