EMPRESS FARAH PAHLAVI’S CORONATION SET
One of the most special and famous commissions ever made by Van Cleef & Arpels is undoubtedly the coronation set of Empress Farah Pahlavi, crowned last Empress of Iran in 1967. The set consists of a tiara, necklace, earrings, brooch and bracelet, all set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and pearls.
Pierre Arpels made 24 trips to Tehran to select stones from the country’s national treasure that will be used in the series. The tiara is adorned with a central emerald weighing 150 carats and surrounded by diamonds. The necklace and earrings are adorned with a combination of round and pear-shaped diamonds, emeralds and pearls.
In total, the crown worn by the Empress during her coronation is covered with 36 emeralds, 36 spinels and rubies, 105 pearls and 1,469 diamonds. Although the set was never sold at auction, it is likely to be worth several million dollars – potentially around $20 million.
1. THE MYSTERIOUS CHEVRON NECKLACE
The Chevron Mystérieux necklace is one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most famous and precious creations. The necklace is a standout example of the brand’s use of the Mystery Set technique, which allows gemstones to be set without visible clamps or mounts, creating a seamless, flawless appearance.
The necklace features a chevron-shaped design, made up of Mystery Set diamonds and rubies, with a central diamond, sapphire and emerald design. The diamonds and sapphires are arranged in a pattern that gives the impression of a three-dimensional chevron, with each gemstone blending seamlessly with the neighboring stone.
The necklace is made of a series of stones cut from the famous $40 million Legend Diamond , which is the fifth largest gem-quality diamond ever mined. The exact value of the necklace is not known, but it is likely to be worth several million dollars.
2. PRINCE’S DIAMOND
Today, the ‘Princie’ diamond is in the hands of Qatar’s royal family, who paid $40 million for the gemstone at an auction in 2013. But the stone has a long and illustrious history. which includes Van Cleef & Arpels.
The Princie Diamond is a rare and exceptional 34.65 carat pink diamond, originally mined from the mines of Golconda, India over 300 years ago. It was sold at auction in 1960 and acquired by Van Cleef & Arpels, who baptized it “Princie Diamond” in honor of the young prince of Baroda, present at the auction. The diamond was later sold to a private collector, but resurfaced in 2013 at an auction.
3. THE ZIP COLLAR
The Zip necklace is one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most innovative and daring creations. Renée Puissant, artistic director of the House and daughter of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, was inspired by the zipper, a new closure that appeared on clothing at the end of the 1930s, to develop a .
The original Zip necklace, created in 1950, is an extraordinary example of the Maison’s innovative spirit and technical ingenuity.
The exceptional design and functionality of the Zip necklace made it an instant Van Cleef & Arpels icon. The House then created versions of the necklace in gold and platinum, adorned with precious and ornamental stones. The value of the Zip Collar has been estimated between $1.5 and $2 million.
4. ABSOLUTE BLUE NECKLACE
Another famous pendant from Van Cleef & Arpels is the Bleu Absolu necklace, a stunning pendant set with five Kashmir sapphires totaling almost 86 carats. The sapphires used in this necklace were long the property of the Maharani of Baroda, a fact which only increases the fame and value of this unique necklace.
The Bleu Absolu pendant is an exquisite example of Van Cleef & Arpels’ ability to transform rare and precious materials into timeless pieces of jewelry. Since its creation, the pendant has been the subject of exhibitions all over the world. It was never sold at auction, but it’s likely this necklace would fetch millions of dollars.