Van Cleef & Arpels is one of those luxury jewellery brands that needs no introduction – with the combination of colours, unique shapes and designs, and elaborate accessories capturing a multitude of emotions and glistening on the wrists or around the necks of A-list celebrities, Royal family members, and everyday buyers alike.
Of course, as is so often the case with a luxury designer brand like Van Cleef & Arpels, many of the pieces and most memorable designs are off-the-scale in terms of expense for everyday buyers – however, that’s not to say there aren’t some pieces and items of jewellery which are considerably more accessible either for wearing on special occasions or buying as an investment.
In this article, we’re looking specifically at the more affordable pieces in the Van Cleef & Arpels collection – right after we’ve explored a little more about the brand and its place in the luxury market.
A mini guide to Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in the late 19th century, Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand that’s built on the value of colour, exuberant designs, and the kind of creativity which enables the brand to stand out on the luxury market.
Each piece and collection is inspired by an element of nature, a significant event, or a period of history – with one-off and unique pieces often making it onto the red carpet as worn by the top celebrities keen to stand out. Margot Robbie’s evening in the Zip necklace is one such example, and Kate Middleton has also been seen in a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace.
The most affordable jewellery pieces in the Van Cleef & Arpels collection
It will come as no surprise that the more elaborate the item or piece of jewellery, the higher the price tag and the higher the investment potential of the individual piece.
When looking for the most affordable pieces across the entire designer range, the simpler items and those which fall under the classic collections are those which are considerably more accessible on the market – not just in terms of cost but in terms of availability as well.
The classic and most iconic design to come from Van Cleef & Arpels is the four-leafed clover, which is seen across the Alhambra range and dates all the way back to 1968. Despite being a nod to one of the earlier designs released by the brand, a fact which for many luxury designers often sees prices spike, the simple and ornate design of the four-leafed clover has become somewhat of a motif that’s used by Van Cleef & Arpels and is available in its simplest colourful format or in a gem-studded enhanced variation on the classic bracelet or pendant.
Because of this, the four-leafed clover Alhambra collection can in fact accurately be described as Van Cleef & Arpels’ most affordable, and most expensive collection, based on the materials used and the details which bring each piece to life.
How to differentiate between an affordable piece and a fake
If something feels and sounds like a bargain, the safest assumption to make is that the deal is too good to be true.
This couldn’t be more accurate than when being used to describe the luxury jewellery market, with Van Cleef & Arpels just one of the many luxury brands which are constantly being undermined by fakes and replicated products. Knowing how to spot a fake and differentiate between an affordable piece of jewellery and something which is inauthentic requires a mix of experience, knowing what to look for, and identifying the lack of correct certification – with any genuine designer piece presented with a certificate of authentication to ensure that its value is correct and verified.
Just some of the signs of a fake Van Cleef & Arpels piece to look out for when searching for cheaper and more affordable pieces include:
● The purity of the metal
● The quality of the gemstone
● The craftsmanship and attention to detail
● The serial number and brand signature engraved on the inside of the piece
A reputable and trustworthy reseller will be able to tell you if a piece is authentic, and will only buy those pieces that come complete with authentication certification and the correct serial numbers. That’s why, when buying any luxury good, your best bet is to buy via a retailer or reputable reseller.
