VAN CLEEF & ARPELS HAS BEEN CRAFTING LOVE STORIES SINCE 1906 WHEN MR ALFRED VAN CLEEF MARRIED MISS ESTHER ARPELS AND WENT ON TO BECOME THE WORLD'S SECOND GREATEST JEWELLER AFTER CARTIER!
Unlike Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels is a true love story and many couples buy VCA engagement rings in honour of the love that first brought the couple together and created the brand that carries their name.
Actually they married in 1895 and the boutique opened in 1906 at 22 Place Vendome. Since then Van Cleef & Arpels has become one of the world's greatest jewellers and was granted the honour of making the Iranian Crown Jewels in 1967 when the late Shah of Iran asked the company to wade through the tons of diamonds and precious stones in the imperial vaults and set them into crowns, sceptres, globes, necklaces, pins, brooches, earrings and rings.
Almost from the start, Van Cleef & Arpels counted crowned heads as clients and Monaco was no exception. The Grimaldis were favoured clients and some of VCA's most exceptional designs are in the Principality.
This tradition started when the late Prince Rainier married
Grace Kelly and gave her an engagement ring from Van Cleef & Arpels.
Today, the son of Prince Rainier, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II who I interviewed a decade ago in his pink palace in Monte Carlo, continues the tradition.
When His Serene Highness married Princess Charlene of South Africa, he ordered the engagement ring from Van Cleef & Arpels as well as an entire suite of bridal jewellery culminating in the spectacular Ocean tiara which can also be worn as necklace! This unique jewel consists of 44 carats of diamonds and 359 sapphires of 3 shades of blue totalling 1,200 stones and 70 carats.
Princess Charlene's Wedding Tiara by Van Cleef & Arpels called 'Ocean'. It can also be worn as a necklace when completely attached as in below
Only last September 18, HSH Princess Charlene flew to Paris to attend the 'Art of High Jewellery' exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris where she gazed at 400 wondrous bling only VCA could create. You can also do just that as the exhibition ends on 10 February 2013.
Van Cleef & Arpels is so close to Monaco's ruling family the firm was granted permission to produce a limited edition Princess Charlene Magic Alhambra series!
On 15 November Princess Charlene wore High Jewellery from Van Cleef & Arpels to the Gala Night of the Association Against Autism at Monaco's Sports Club. She wore the Canto earrings set in white gold and diamonds.
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene wore Canto earrings in white gold and diamonds from Van Cleef & Arpels' High Jewellery Collection to Monaco's Association Against Autism gala on 15 November
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco who I interviewed a decade ago in Monte Carlo and wife HSH Princess Charlene.
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