A diamond forms through a combination of exceptional factors of temperature and pressure, deep down in the Earth’s mantle. Each gem was formed millions of years ago and bears witness to the Earth’s history. Diamonds are made of carbon and are distinctive for their hardness and light reflection properties.

Since 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has been bringing its expertise to the service of the gem’s natural beauty in order to ensure that its creations offer extraordinary sparkle. Diamonds are a part of the Maison’s tradition of excellence, and they undergo a twofold selection process – both scientific and specific to Van Cleef & Arpels – for central and pavé stones alike. The process is initially based on the internationally recognized criteria known as the 4Cs: carat (weight), cut, color, and clarity. Only stones of the best quality are selected, with a color ranging from D to F, on a scale from D to Z, and a clarity between FL and VVS2.

Then each one is scrutinized by the meticulous eye of the Van Cleef & Arpels expert gemologists. Beyond meeting strict scientific criteria, the diamonds must also match the excellence and taste of Maison while considering the beauty and elegance of each stone, which make it stand out from the others.