About Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded in 1896 and then further brought into the spotlight with the opening of its first boutique in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels is a French maker of fine jewelry, watches, and Van Cleef & Arpels fragrances. Established by Salomon Arpels and his partner Alfred Van Cleef, Van Cleef & Arpels was historically renowned for its specialty in precious stones and innovations in gem-setting procedures. The company did very well over the next thirty years, opening several boutiques in Mediterranean vacation towns.

By the 1940s, the Arpels half of the company moved to the US where they opened the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique store in New York City on the infamous 5th Avenue. In the decades that followed, more boutiques were opened globally. Although the company remained under the management of the Arpels family, it was finally acquired in 1999, though it continues to expand. In 2009, the company released its exquisite Collection Extraordinaire, six luxury fragrances.

In 2010, the company launched a brand new line of high-end jewelry. The line, called Les Voyages Extraordinares de Jules Vernes is comprised of magical, imaginary, and timeless creations inspired by the works of Jules Vernes. With several other such imaginative themed lines available, Van Cleef & Arpels truly brings forth the creative elements of jewelry making in each of its pieces. Equally as inventive is its fragrance line, which offers six unique Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes for women, and three Van Cleef & Arpels colognes for men.