Van Cleef & Arpels is a jewellery brand at the forefront of the luxury sector, marking a move towards modern classics, bright colours, and vibrant statement pieces.
A far cry from the simple precious metals and stones of brands like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels is heavily reliant on nature as an influence, and on highlighting the natural colour of some of the world’s most unique and iconic stones.
Of course, with this unique outlook on what it means to create and sell high-end and luxury jewellery, Van Cleef & Arpels bridges its link with the market to something unique and outstanding. For those who like what Van Cleef & Arpels offers, the brand is a no-brainer investment.
In this blog, we’re considering what makes Van Cleef & Arpels such a standout brand in the luxury sector, why an authentic piece is such a good investment, and how market trends are matched by demand and exclusivity.
A Quick History of Van Cleef & Arpels as a Brand
Despite its fresh and modern take on luxury jewellery and the accessories market, Van Cleef & Arpels is not a particularly new brand. In fact, the brand was born from a marriage way back in 1895, between a member of the Van Cleef family and a member of the Arpels family.
Acknowledging each other’s skills in the jewellery industry, one as a diamond dealer while the other dealt with precious gems and stones, the two families joined to create one brand.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
From then on, and with the formation of the brand in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels became a jewellery brand that focussed on the use of high-value gems and stones, with designs and shapes inspired by international culture and significant discoveries around the world.
The 1920s brought with it an art deco vibe, which remained at the pinnacle of the jewellery created by Van Cleef & Arpels well beyond the end of the decade, inspired by bold colours and large, statement pieces.
Over the years, Van Cleef & Arpels has brought to life a series of pieces and collections that have now been elevated to iconic status. Perhaps the most notable and the most famous is the Alhambra range, which uses clover-shaped discs in varying colours and materials, affixed to bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and more.
But how did the brand achieve the luxury position it holds in the market today?
How Has Van Cleef & Arpels Become an Iconic Luxury Brand?
One of the most interesting things about the Van Cleef & Arpels brand is that it successfully navigates the market and works within the parameters of what’s popular by reimagining and reinventing the classics.
An article in the Financial Times quotes the CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, saying the following:
“It’s always a challenge to reinvent a timeless motif. A classic has to win approval to slowly acquire value, and that takes time.”
When you look at each piece in the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery range, you will notice influences of timeless trends and classic shapes and styles – but with subtle differences that make them unique to the brand. The Mystery Set, with its invisible setting for each precious stone, made headlines for the brand, while the launch of the Alhambra collection in 1968 brought a whole new contemporary audience right into the brand’s target market.
And that’s all before we consider the pieces that have been made famous on the red carpet – for example, the zip necklace as worn by Margot Robbie, which combines its premium materials with the genuine and functional zip structure.
All of this culminates in a brand that pushes the boundaries of design and is inspired by nature, culture, and all things around the borders of everyday life – pulled together to create collections of jewellery that are high in both value and demand.
The Investment Potential of a VCA Piece
Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand that inspires imagination and creativity, and that delivers an energetic sense of style to the wearer – something that many other luxury brands can sometimes lack in their delivery of elegant and timeless but simple styles.
Van Cleef & Arpels has proved popular throughout its history because of the way it embodies and embraces natural influences and the desirability of coloured stones and gems. Just some of the standout selling points of Van Cleef & Arpels in terms of value and investment include:
- Traditional techniques and the fact that Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery is made using old techniques balanced with modern style and innovation
- Incredible attention to detail across everything from the materials to the setting and more
- The use of the finest materials and gemstones
Van Cleef & Arpels is no stranger to red-carpet headlines and to the creation of truly unique pieces – and, as such, is a brand that buyers have heard about.
The collection potential of both the classic pieces and the one-off, exclusive pieces means that those who know about this brand will never cease their hunt for the newest and most exciting pieces.
And that makes Van Cleef & Arpels a brand that benefits from the classic low supply and high demand, as well as one that benefits from the coveted status and high value of both its raw materials and the resulting accessories.
How to Invest in Van Cleef & Arpels
If you’re looking for your new piece of jewellery, stylish accessory, or high-value investment piece, then look no further than Van Cleef & Arpels.
Not only has the brand achieved cult status, but it does so by combining the finest jewellery-making traditions and techniques with innovative ideas and aesthetic finishes – to create something that truly stands out on the market.
As is the case with any luxury item or purchase, it’s crucial that you only buy from or sell to a reputable reseller, with the proper authentication paperwork and certificates in place. This is to protect both your investment and your money.
