Inviting its audience on a true voyage across time, the exhibition begins by unlocking the secrets of the Maison’s diverse historical creations. For over 120 years, Van Cleef & Arpels has nurtured the values of excellence and creativity while infusing a touch of poetry and wonder to many of its pieces.

The Mystery Set technique™, patented in 1933, brought the velvet luster of petals or delicate wings of butterflies to life, thanks to an invisible mounting system. The technique first adorned the flat surfaces of precious accessories until the improvement of the patent in 1936, allowing the innovation to be applied onto three-dimensional structures and exalting its virtuosity on figurative pieces. Ensuring the quality, uniformity and size of the stone constitute essential yet complex feats Van Cleef & Arpels must achieve in order to uphold its standard of excellence.

Naturally malleable and warm in tone, yellow gold has graced the jewelry of many civilizations since Antiquity. Allowing for an array of forms, this metal infuses vitality into Van Cleef & Arpels’ nature-inspired pieces. Indeed, whether the gold is given a granulated texture, a mirror polish or an engraved finish, the Maison’s craftmanship conveys an aesthetic choice linked to the quality of this precious metal. 

Conceived a few years later, the Passe-Partout jewels exemplify the characteristic versatility of the Maison, offering multiple styles from a single piece. Patented in 1938, it blends floral and industrial iconography. Hidden beneath precious corollas, a rail system allows the flexible tubogas-style chain to change form, offering an array of styles–clips, bracelet, necklace or belt–living up to its name ‘pass everywhere’. The stylized flowers showcase the Maison’s whimsical interpretation of nature and its stone expertise.

Since its foundation, Van Cleef & Arpels has honed its craftsmanship and inventiveness, distilling over the years, into a unique creative identity. The Maison has applied its technical ingenuity to an array of universal inspirations resulting in the conception of true signatures. For example, the Maison has portrayed the innate gracefulness and poise of fairies and dancers, the delicacy of a flower and the outstretched wings of butterflies. Van Cleef & Arpels also draws inspiration from couture to bring to life the Zip necklace from 1950 onwards, or the Liane collection. 

Since 2003, Van Cleef & Arpels has established a tradition of unveiling one or two thematic High Jewelry collections each year, beginning with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They bring together necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, clips, timepieces, and precious objects converging around a single inspiration. Though firmly rooted in the Maison’s heritage, every ensemble gives free rein to creative imagination. They may center around rare gemstones, a specific literary work, a particular set of techniques, or a cherished theme like dance, couture, or astronomy. The exhibition Van Cleef & Arpels in Geneva: the Story Continues assembles some of these High Jewelry creations.