Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand with a distinct and extensive history in the luxury sector. First launched in 1906, thanks to the union through marriage of the Van Cleef family and the Arpels family, the brand sought to combine the skills of a diamond cutter and a precious stones dealer.
Together, the two had a revolutionary and unique approach to jewellery production, insofar as pieces were as much about the craftsmanship and the structure of each setting as they were about the stones used. Using the skills of both families, creating a brand that delivered quality and a playful, almost whimsical approach to design became a no-brainer.
And so, in the very early 1900s, Van Cleef & Arpels was born.
Introducing Van Cleef & Arpels
Since its founding, Van Cleef & Arpels has remained one of the most exciting luxury brands – in that you never know what they are going to produce, or who they are going to work with next.
Many of the collections that come from Van Cleef & Arpels’ workshop are inspired by nature and the natural world around us, with the brand’s most iconic range of Alhambra pendants and pieces derived from the classic four-leaf clover.
In an article posted on the brand’s own website, Van Cleef & Arpels cites nature as an endless source of inspiration, inspiring both its bold and its more everyday collections. Some examples of collections and pieces that derive from this fascination with the natural world include the Frivole range, the Lady Arpels Heures Florales selection of pieces, and of course the Alhambra range.
The Popularity of the VCA Collection
Before we get into the things you need to think about when selling any Van Cleef & Arpels piece, it’s important to note just how popular the brand and its pieces are – and what makes them so coveted.
When you compare Van Cleef & Arpels to other brands, you immediately notice both a more diverse use of materials and colour palettes, and a more obviously creative brief at the core of each piece. While so many luxury brands are reserved and elegant in their designs, leaning into the demand for timeless aesthetics, Van Cleef & Arpels is much bolder in its work. The pieces are like art and are designed to portray a narrative.
As such, making sure to highlight the story behind each piece and the craftsmanship behind its finished aesthetic is crucial when you want to sell a piece.
Things to Consider When Selling Authentic VCA Pieces
Here are just a few of the things you need to consider and plan for when you want to sell an authentic Van Cleef & Arpels piece of jewellery:
1) Authentication Prior to Sale
One of the biggest challenges facing any luxury brand is the rise in fake goods and counterfeit products – competing with authentic brands and fooling great swathes of the consumer market into buying fakes and copies.
Not only does this threaten sellers with authentic goods to sell, by undercutting their costs and presenting goods that mimic, if not exactly match, the original products, it also causes threat to the luxury brand itself, by copying designs.
Because of this, taking the time to authenticate and secure the proper certification for your VCA jewellery ahead of a sale is critical to ensuring that you get a fair and appropriate price for each item. This is best provided by a reputable boutique seller, who is familiar with Van Cleef & Arpels and who can identify both the materials used and the quality of the craftsmanship.
2) Maintenance and Presentation
Because jewellery from the Van Cleef & Arpels collection is so bold, often utilising vibrant gemstones and precious metals, it’s important that each piece is maintained to a high enough standard that these assets and features can really shine.
Presenting a lacklustre piece of jewellery is never conducive to a high-value sale, but when you’re talking about Van Cleef & Arpels, the way the jewellery has been cleaned and presented is even more important. This is a brand that combines its whimsy and creativity with a genuine and underlying appreciation for the materials used. It’s important that, as a seller, you emphasise these attributes.
3) Selling to a Trustworthy Buyer
By far the most important piece of research that you will do as a prospective seller relates to where you choose to sell your piece. The outlet for your sale will influence everything from the speed of sale to the price you get for each piece, how quickly you are paid, and whether or not you can browse other luxury goods for a part-exchange sale.
A trustworthy buyer will offer authentication as part of the process and will value the piece before presenting you with your options as a seller. While some ranges, for example the Alhambra range, are always in demand and can collect huge prices on the resale market, both via boutique sellers and at auction, other pieces are more unique and will appeal to a specific audience.
As a seller, the best way to position your piece is to consider its design and look at why buyers might choose that piece over another.
Is Van Cleef & Arpels a Good Brand to Own and Sell?
As one of the most prominent luxury brands in the jewellery sector, with an extensive history that spans the sourcing of materials as well as the design and creation of unique pieces, Van Cleef & Arpels is as much a symbol of style as it is a mark of prestige and status.
To browse Van Cleef & Arpels pieces that you may wish to add to your collection, to find out more about valuation and authentication services, and to get the ball rolling on the sale of your jewellery, get in touch with your local boutique luxury goods store today.