The Van Cleef and Arpels house of diamonds is built upon the romance and marriage shared between Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. Is it then, a surprise that it excels in the range of engagement rings that it makes? The engagement ring is actually part of the larger jewelry collection that represents the spirit of the famed House. And that is a strong and undying passion for precious stones and a taste for asymmetry that reflects elegant themes. The themes range from nature in all vitality to the poetry of couture. Their unique style and designs have been handed down to generations of master jewelers or ‘Great Hands’ as they have been called.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in 1896, the Van Cleef and Arpels House is a French jewelry, perfume and watch company. Ever since the opening of their first boutique in 1902, they have come far with the release of Les Voyages Extraodinaires de Jules Verne, a new line featuring high eminent jewelry.
Inspiration
Love and romance have always been the inspiring factors for the growth and development of the House. With their expertise in precious stones, Van Cleef and Arpels have commenced a ground-breaking procedure for gem setting known as the ‘Mystery Setting’. The ‘mystery’ only adds to the charm of the inspirational forces of love and romance. The use of the highly dense platinum (which is the most valuable metal in the world) and the hard diamond (which is the most valuable stone in the world) seem to emphasize the durability and longevity of a timeless love. Wherever platinum is not in use, the ‘noble’ metal, gold, has been utilized.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Engagement Rings
A look at the actual collection is enough to take one’s breath away. There are simple and traditional designs along with some fabulous and exceptional pieces. The Coutre and Accanthe consist of a brilliantly cut diamond paved on either sides with diamonds and are available in 0.5, 0.7 and 1 carat variants. The Solitaire highlights a single dazzling diamond and comes in two styles of 1 carat each. Classic and Spring are two models that seem to be the traditional favorites with a modern touch – the diamonds have been mounted on platinum. The ring titled Icon has a real big classy diamond set on it with smaller diamonds paved alongside. It arrives in four different carat sizes of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1. Such rings are also available with the large diamond in an oval and pear shape too.
Looking at some highlights of the collection, one cannot miss the Estelle. Set on platinum in 0.3 and 0.5 carat variants, the diamond ring has a pearly contour all along its edges which is a neat innovation. The Opera is exquisitely shaped with the curves of a harp holding a brilliant diamond. It is available in four carat sizes. The curves of the Opera have been flattened to form two beautiful loops holding an intimate meeting at a diamond in Tete A Tete. The pave there has been set with smaller diamonds. Another ring has been constituted by a fancy grayish-blue diamond that has been shaped as a heart. It must be said that the ring looks cool and feel warm at the same time! A vivid yellow, ascher-cut diamond ring will also win hearts with its pave being set with brilliantly cut and baguette diamonds. Those looking out for colors will delight in its Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald rings.
Fab factor
The diamonds on the rings are of a matchless brilliance and great luminosity. Though these diamonds, form the ‘crown jewels’ of the Van Cleef and Arpels House, the other precious stones – rubies, emeralds and sapphires – also find their own niche and places. The experience of over a century in high jewelry craftsmanship shows in the precise lines and the elegance of the rings. Set in platinum, each diamond ring achieves perfection through the tireless labors of specialized designers, jewelers, craftsmen, gemologists, engravers, stone-cutters and polishers. Thus, the stone is balanced and positioned faultlessly. The diamond gets highlighted because of the minutely rounded prongs that underscore it.