Alhambra: Box vs No Box When Selling

• The certificate. Records the piece and its serial, and matches the engraving.
• The box and pouch. Presentation and protection.
• The receipt. Where and when it was bought.

The certificate does the most work, because it ties the paperwork to the piece.

An Alhambra carries its own proof. On the back of a motif or the clasp you should find VCA, an individual serial and 750, with the eagle’s head on French-made pieces. We read those, check the beading and the stones, and look at the condition. A piece we can verify sells without its papers.

For every house we buy, see how we check designer jewellery.

There is no fixed figure; it depends on the piece. A complete set is easier to resell, and our estimate takes that into account. But condition, the line, the stone and the motif count usually matter more than the box. A chipped motif with papers can be worth less than a perfect one without.

1. 1Papers
2. 2Line, stone, motif count, condition

Send what you have: a certificate on its own, a receipt, or just the box. Each helps a little. If the certificate’s serial matches the piece, tell us; if it does not, tell us that too, because papers from a different piece can cause confusion.

1. 1Certificate
2. 2Receipt
3. 3Box
4. 4Pouch", tick what you have

• Line
• Stone
• Motif count
• Condition
• Papers

• 1

  Send photographs

  of the front, the back of one motif and the clasp, and whatever papers you have.

• 2

  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.

• 3

  Paid the same day after inspection

  by bank transfer or in cash, in Mayfair, at our Braintree office, by post or by free collection.

Insured up to £10,000 per parcel when you send to us.

• Van Cleef & Arpels: Collections and History
• All designer guides
• Van Cleef Between the Finger Ring
• Van Cleef Alhambra: A Collector Guide