Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow gold, Onyx & Diamond ring - c. 1980

Precious simplicity

Description

Beautiful Van Cleef & Arpels ring in 18-carat yellow gold with an interlaced central motif set with diamonds. On either side, two onyx stones, also inserted between two gold borders set with diamonds.

Van Cleef & Arpels has always inspired dreams with its poetic and refined creations. This ring, whose rounded design stands out from the well-known collections, is no exception. Although the piece's volume makes it stand out on the hand, the materials used make it very understated, classic, and refined with the deep black of onyx combined with faceted diamonds and yellow gold.

Why did Françoise choose it?

Françoise is particularly fond of the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels and loves pieces that stand out from the crowd. She places great importance on the labor and craftsmanship required to create a piece of jewelry. This ring, straight out of the late 1970s, demonstrates a mastery of gold and stones. Connoisseurs will recognize the Van Cleef & Arpels signature thanks to the finesse of the jewelry work and the shape of the motif, very couture. However, it is not part of the Maison's specific "thematic collections," which were truly born in the 2000s. This is a rarer, more exclusive piece, and one that you are unlikely to find adorning the fingers of your friends.

History

The history of Van Cleef & Arpels began with the marriage of Estelle (Esther) Arpels, daughter of a gemstone merchant, and Alfred Van Cleef, who came from a line of Belgian and Dutch artisans specializing in stone cutting. Estelle's brothers, Charles, Louis, and Julien Arpels, quickly joined forces with their brother-in-law to create Van Cleef & Arpels, a brand registered in 1906, the year the first boutique opened at 22 Place Vendôme.

Ornamental stone made a comeback in the 1980s, whether colored, like coral, or black, like onyx. These creations feature simple lines and often volume, illustrating a delightful dialogue between form and material.