Part of: Sell your Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery
Van Cleef & Arpels was founded on the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906 by Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Charles Arpels, and later run with the Arpels family. It is known for the Mystery Set, patented in 1933, for nature and fairy-tale jewels, and for the Alhambra clover of 1968. This hub explains each collection and links to our full guide.
Thinking of selling a Van Cleef piece?
Free, no obligation, returned at our cost if you decline.
- Read our Google reviews (opens Google)
- Free, no obligation
- A reply within one working day
- Paid the same day after inspection
Van Cleef & Arpels collections, A to Z
Each card links to our full guide.
- Alhambra (/van-cleef-alhambra-guide): the four-leaf clover, from 1968.
- Alhambra: box or no box (/van-cleef-alhambra-box-vs-no-box): what selling without papers means.
- Between the Finger (/van-cleef-between-the-finger-ring-guide): two motifs that sit either side of a finger.
- Frivole (/van-cleef-frivole-guide): heart-shaped petals, mirror-polished.
- Magic Alhambra (/van-cleef-magic-alhambra-guide): the clover in mixed sizes.
- Perlée (/van-cleef-perlee-guide): rows of golden beads, from 2008.
A Place Vendôme house
Alfred Van Cleef married Estelle Arpels, and with her brother Charles opened at 22 Place Vendôme in 1906. Estelle’s other brothers and later her daughter Renée Puissant and the next Arpels generation shaped the house.
- 1906Place Vendôme
- 1933Mystery Set
- 1968Alhambra
- 2008Perlée
The Mystery Set
Patented in 1933, the Mystery Set holds rubies or sapphires on fine gold rails so no metal shows between the stones. It is still made by hand and takes many hours per piece. Period Mystery Set jewels are among the house’s most collected.
How to check a VCA piece
Every guide above shows the checks for its collection. In short: VCA or Van Cleef & Arpels, an individual serial, 750, the French eagle’s head on French-made pieces, and even, crisp workmanship. A certificate whose number matches helps.
0 of 5 checked
1Signature
VCA or Van Cleef & Arpels.
2Serial
An individual serial number.
3750 and the eagle’s head
750, with the eagle’s head on French-made pieces.
4Workmanship
Even and crisp.
5Certificate
One whose number matches helps.
Thinking of selling?
Send photographs of your Van Cleef & Arpels piece, the back with its serial, and any box or certificate, for a free value inspection. We reply within one working day with an estimate, subject to inspection. If our offer differs, you can decline and we return it at our cost. You are paid the same day after inspection, by bank transfer or in cash.
Free, no obligation, and returned at our cost if you decline.
Read our Google reviews (opens Google)
Questions people ask
When was Van Cleef & Arpels founded?
In 1906, when Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Charles Arpels opened at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris. Alfred had married Estelle Arpels, and her family went on to run the house for generations. If you have one, send photographs and we will tell you more, free.
What is Van Cleef & Arpels known for?
The Mystery Set of 1933, nature and fairy-tale jewels, and the Alhambra four-leaf clover of 1968, plus Perlée, Frivole and Between the Finger designs. Each has a guide on this page with its history and checks. Ask us if you would like to know more about your own piece.
How do I know my Van Cleef is genuine?
Look for VCA or Van Cleef & Arpels, an individual serial and 750, with the eagle’s head on French-made pieces, and crisp, even workmanship. Each guide above shows its own checks. Send photographs of the front and back, and we will check them, free.
Where can I sell Van Cleef & Arpels?
To a buyer who reads the serial and inspects in person before paying. We buy Van Cleef & Arpels directly: a free value inspection from photographs, then an appointment in Mayfair or at our Braintree office, post or free collection, paid the same day after inspection.
Related guides
Every guide in this collection
Selling a Van Cleef & Arpels piece?
Send a photograph of the front and back for a free value inspection, with no obligation.
Free, no obligation, returned at our cost if you decline.
