Once upon a time, there was a story of love and precious stones... It all started in 1895, in the heart of Paris, with the marriage of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, both from families of jewelry merchants. The young couple shared the same values: a spirit of enthusiasm and innovation, a sense of family and a passion for precious stones.

In 1906, the Maison of Van Cleef & Arpels was born at 22 Place Vendôme, uniting these two names in a common, bejeweled destiny.

Since then, the ampersand “&” has been a perpetual bond, symbolizing the union of individuals and expertise, the convergence of excellence and poetry that distinguishes Van Cleef & Arpels creations.

A key source of inspiration for the Maison--love--has permeated its creations from the beginning: indeed, the first piece mentioned in the sales records from 1906 is a diamond heart.

Expressions of love stand out as a constant in each of the Maison’s collections.

Love imparts its own rhythm into the Poetry of Time™ at Van Cleef & Arpels, putting forth a vision of watchmaking imbued with dreams and emotions.

Each creation benefits from Van Cleef & Arpels’ High Jewelry savoir-faire, which has been carried on by the workshops’ craftsmen for over a hundred years.

From jewelers to stone-setters to polishers, the various skills come together to give each piece an emotion that matches the Maison's exacting standards.

Reflecting the creative boldness and technical innovation that have driven the Maison since its inception, the Mystery Set™ is one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic forms of savoir-faire.

This innovation, which was patented in 1933, introduced a new way of setting precious stones that was designed to preserve their beauty.

Exceptional expertise, combining tradition and innovation
Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry and Watchmaking creations are the result of a number of gestures carried out in the Maison's workshops.

Transmitting the Maison's craftsmanship
Jewelry professions contribute to a tradition of French savoir-faire that has shone throughout the world for centuries.

Maison Values
The Maison encourages all its team members to interact with one another and work together in a positive and constructive manner to uphold the Maison’s level of excellence by embodying the values of care, no compromise, transmission, creativity, curiosity and ambition.

Care
No compromise
Creativity
Curiosity
Transmission
Ambition

Transmission is one of the values that has enabled the Maison to last. Working together, setting an example and sharing your experience are the keys to transmission.

Ambition demands that we all give the best of ourselves at all times. This collective ambition contributes to the Maison's success.