About Van Cleef & Arpels brand
Van Cleef & Arpels, a prestigious French luxury jewelry and watchmaking Maison, opened their first boutique in 1906. Ever since, the brand's jewelry has been worn and beloved by celebrities and royalty.
Founded by a daughter of a precious stone dealer and a son of a stone cutter, Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, the brand was meant to be big the jewelry world. Press used to call the power couple union “The Maison based on love.”
Before Art Deco was pronounced as a style, VCA brand was known for their skillfully made, bold geometric pieces. Later, during the century, the maker mastered this design approach to the top-notch jewelry level. The experimental spirit, fearless usage of the exotic materials and truly unique gemstone combinations brought Van Cleef & Arpels to the top three of the jewelry worlds.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Van Cleef & Arpels’ philosophy is applying storytelling and thematic elements to their design. Many of the VCA collections draw inspiration from fairy tales and exotic locales, infusing each piece with a narrative. The brand's Alhambra collection, for instance, features the iconic quatrefoil motif inspired by the four-leaf clover, symbolizing luck, health, fortune, and love. This mix of artistic expression and meaningful storytelling adds a unique depth to their designs, making Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations wearable works of art that resonate on an emotional level.
In order to make this prestigious jewelry affordable not only for a prestige clientele, Nadine Krakov Collection offers a wide selection of estate Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry without the high markups.
Shop for our Van Cleef & Arpels ring collection, Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and VCA earrings.
About botanical motifs in jewelry design
Botanical motifs in vintage jewelry design have an enduring appeal. Floral-inspired jewelry has always been popular, especially during the Early Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Edwardian eras. But it really took off from the Georgian period onward. Whether as the main element or a delicate touch, flowers were a favorite theme. You’d find them everywhere, from cluster rings to diamond brooches and corsages with flower sprays. Floral symbolism appeared in many pieces. Back in Victorian times, people made illustrated dictionaries to explain the secret meanings of flowers. Victorians loved using flowers to send hidden messages, so jewelry often featured all kinds of blooms, like forget-me-nots, daisies, roses, and tulips, each with its own special meaning.
Since botanical designs mimic the intricate and diverse forms found in nature, it requires a skilled maker to create a jewel. One of the most celebrated designers for their enchanting floral pieces is VCA. The Flora collection features a variety of flowers in many shapes and forms. From heart-shaped petals of Cosmos and cluster designs of Fleurette to the harmonious Lotus and extremely popular Alhambra, floral designs became a signature of the brand's collections.
