Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Long Necklace

If you want to add an authentic vintage Van Cleef & Arpels necklace to your collection, you have a few options. You can purchase the real thing, or if you don’t want to shell out the cash, you can get a replica. Either way, you are sure to be happy with the result.

History

Van Cleef & Arpels is an iconic French luxury jewellery house. It was founded by Dutch diamond cutter Alfred Van Cleef in 1896. From its inception, Van Cleef & Arpels has become synonymous with a high-end line of jewellery that combines traditional cabinet-maker methods with the finest semi-precious gemstones and art deco designs. The Alhambra is the most recognizable symbol of the brand.

In 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced its Alhambra motif. It resembles the Moorish quatrefoil decoration, which signifies good luck. Throughout the decades, the design has changed significantly. Today, the Alhambra remains one of the most recognizable fine jewellery motifs in the world.

The original Alhambra was made of yellow gold with twenty clover-shaped motifs. Each was surrounded by gold beads. This design was a popular item with celebrities in the 1970s, and Princess Grace of Monaco was a longtime devotee.

However, by the time of Jacques Arpels’s death in 1973, the style of the Alhambra was changing. As the women’s liberation movement took hold in the 1960s, more women wore jewellery, and the company responded. One of the most notable pieces in this new era was the Alhambra long necklace. With its sleek, simple design and golden beads, the necklace was a staple of many dignitaries’ wardrobes.

Since then, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to reinvent the Alhambra motif. Their latest iteration of the style features smaller, more delicate versions of the motifs. They also offer a variety of stones and different sizes.

The company has launched an accessible range in the 1950s, which has allowed more people to enjoy the beauty of the fine jewellery they produce. In addition, the brand has launched new designs each decade.

The brand’s current collection includes pieces featuring diamonds, onyx, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, and grey mother-of-pearl. These stones are complemented by various complementary collections. For instance, the Pure Alhambra collection uses smooth burnished finishes, while the Byzantine Alhambra collection leaves space between the stones.

Regardless of the variations in the design, the brand’s Alhambra is a must-have for any collector. A number of styles have proven to sell for more than the retail value of the piece, making the line a desirable resale choice.

Resale market

Van Cleef & Arpels is a luxury jewelry brand that is known for its creative designs and high quality stones. It has been worn by royalty, celebrities, and members of high society. The company’s reputation has grown since it was founded in 1890.

Although the company is known for its transformable jewelry, it has also created a number of pieces that can be worn on their own. This includes the Alhambra necklace. It features 20 clover-style motifs that are surrounded by gold beads.

When first launched, the Alhambra was characterized by the use of yellow gold, and it was trimmed with gold beads. Later on, Maison Van Cleef & Arpels began incorporating harder stones into its collection, such as agate and carnelian.

With its unique combination of gemstones and precious stones, the Alhambra collection is a firm favorite of many. There are rings, earrings, watches, and bracelets to choose from. Despite the fact that it is expensive, this type of jewelry holds its value well on the second hand market.

Another classic from the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection is the Vintage Alhambra necklace. This piece is crafted in 18kt yellow gold. Each quatrefoil motif is surrounded by gold beads. A link chain is used to connect each of the quatrefoils, and the whole necklace is topped with a single diamond.

Whether you’re looking for a classic necklace or a new accessory, the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Long Necklace is a great choice. These sexy pieces have been worn by famous names like Grace Kelly and Francoise Hardy.

You can find this gorgeous piece for a fraction of its original price. Shop online or visit a resale store to get the best deal on luxury brands. Buying a resale item is a good way to contribute to the environment, while getting a top-quality piece of jewelry.

Van Cleef & Arpels has built its reputation with time-intensive craftsmanship and intricate designs. As a result, it is a beloved brand with loyal clients and devotees. Moreover, its affluent clientele includes royalty from Egypt, royal families from Monaco, and classic style icons such as Maria Callas and Grace Kelly.

Most sold styles

Van Cleef & Arpels is a world-renowned jewellery house, renowned for its iconic designs. The company is best known for its Alhambra collection. Its name is derived from the name of an eighth-century Moorish palace in Granada, Spain. This collection has been revised and refreshed over the years, incorporating new and rare gemstones and design elements.

Van Cleef & Arpels started out as a jeweler in Paris in the late 19th century. Salomon Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef opened the doors of their first boutique in Place Vendome in 1906. Over the course of the next couple of decades, the firm developed a reputation for producing elegant, high-quality fine jewellery. But in the 1950s, the company recognized a need for more affordable, semi-precious jewellery pieces. So it began designing wood talismans, fairies and wooden baubles.

During the French cultural revolution of the mid-20th century, students and student activists rallied against the government and capitalism. This gave rise to a number of protests. One of them was the famous May 68 student strike. Another was the student movement against the war in Vietnam. Both movements influenced the way designers approached their work. And so it was that the Alhambra, Van Cleef & Arpels’s first opera-length necklace, was born.

The Alhambra design featured twenty clover-shaped motifs. Each one was encased in yellow gold and beaded along its edges. They were accompanied by other notable features.

For example, the four-leaf clover was a common motif in Van Cleef & Arpels’s early collections. But it wasn’t until 1968 that the designer Jacques Arpels introduced the Alhambra design. He wanted to capture a more laid-back tone.

However, it wasn’t until a decade later that the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels released a more sophisticated version of the same design. A new line called the Pure Alhambra was introduced. With this line, the jeweler could better control the size and cut of the stone, which he could then inlay into the piece.

Since the 1970s, the Alhambra has been a popular design among celebrities. One of them was actress Grace Kelly, who was a longtime Van Cleef & Arpels devotee. In fact, she wore two or three Alhambra necklaces at a time.