Mastery of Design: A Pair of Ruby Earclips by Van Cleef and Arpels

Earclips
Rubies and Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels
The Victoria and Albert Museum

This set of earclips by Van Cleef and Arpels was made between 1940 and 1950. The feature a curved panel of gold set with rubies swept around a rod of gold.

The surface of each clip has a pattern of honeycombs in which each hexagon holds a star-set ruby. This design was created by Van Cleef and Arpels in the late 1930s, and was introduced as a flexible bracelet. The style remained popular throughout the 1940s and into the '50s.

The Parisian jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels opened their first New York branch in October of 1929. Bad timing as the venture was ruined by the Stock Market Crash. Ten years later, following the New York World's Fair, they re-established their presence in New York and were, as we know, wildly successful.

Mastery of Design: A Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1930

Brooch
Platinum, Gold, Yellow and White Diamonds,
Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires
Van Cleef & Arpels, 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve seen the transition of botanical-themed jewelry through the ages from Georgian spray ornaments to enameled toad-stools. This was the next step.


Made in 1930, in Paris, this stunning brooch of platinum and gold is set with baguette and brilliant-cut white and yellow diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. A creation from luxury jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels, this is the height of 1930’s chic combined with the delicacy of the Nineteenth Century.

Reverse

Mastery of Design: A Pair of Ruby Earclips by Van Cleef and Arpels

Earclips
Rubies and Gold
Van Cleef and Arpels
The Victoria and Albert Museum

We conclude our look at things with rubies on them with this set of earclips by Van Cleef and Arpels which were made between 1940 and 1950. The feature a curved panel of gold set with rubies swept around a rod of gold.

The surface of each clip has a pattern of honeycombs in which each hexagon holds a star-set ruby. This design was created by Van Cleef and Arpels in the late 1930s, and was introduced as a flexible bracelet. The style remained popular throughout the 1940s and into the '50s.

The Parisian jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels opened their first New York branch in October of 1929. Bad timing as the venture was ruined by the Stock Market Crash. Ten years later, following the New York World's Fair, they re-established their presence in New York and were, as we know, wildly successful.