Lina ballerina clip. White gold, diamonds. Feminine figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Feminine figures

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High Jewelry

Feminine figures

Flitting through the light,

Van Cleef & Arpels' Feminine figures take the stage.

Adorned in intricate dresses of precious stones, ballerinas and fairies invite us into their enchanting universe. From an artful curtsy to an arm curved in playful invitation, each creation is poised and ready to spring to life. Their graceful silhouettes are meticulously crafted by the Maison's artisans.

In 1941, ballerinas joined Van Cleef & Arpels' repertoire. Caught in gravity-defying pirouettes, they pay homage to the Opera Garnier ballets adored by Louis Arpels.

    1942 Ballerina clip. Heritage collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.
1944 Ballerina clip. Heritage collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.
1945 Ballerina clip. Heritage collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.
1947 Ballerina clip. Heritage collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.
1947 Ballerina clip. Heritage collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Combining an appreciation of beauty and harmony with its pursuit of excellence, Van Cleef & Arpels has found an infinite source of creativity in dance that grows ever richer with each passing decade. The art of ballet suffuses the Maison’s feminine figures with grace, delicacy, and movement.

Lina ballerina clip. White gold, diamonds. Feminine figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Lina ballerina clip, white gold, diamonds

Carlota and Ducinea ballerina clips. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Carlota ballerina clip, white gold, yellow gold, emeralds, diamonds

Dulcinea ballerina clip, 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, pink sapphires, diamonds

Dulcinea ballerina clip. 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, pink sapphires, diamonds. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Dulcinea ballerina clip, 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, pink sapphires, diamonds

Mathilde ballerina clip. 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, rubies, diamonds. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Mathilde ballerina clip, 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, rubies, diamonds

The Maison has drawn on its full range of savoir-faire to create these shimmering choreographies, and has selected a palette of gemstones that meet its criteria for excellence. Benefitting from the expert skills of Van Cleef & Arpels’ artisans, each piece is first manually sculpted from a block of green wax.

 

Once the model is finalized, the wax is melted to leave a gold piece that will be hand-finished and polished. It is then set with carefully selected gemstones that light up the figure with a touch of radiance or a hint of color.

    Ballet Précieux collection photographed by Inès Dieleman
    Ballet Précieux collection photographed by Inès Dieleman

In 2024, Van Cleef & Arpels is paying tribute to this source of inspiration by unveiling ten ballerina clips, a veritable corps de ballet that extends the collection introduced in 2007, and evokes famous romantic and classical works.

Mélodie Mystérieuse ballerina clip. 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, Traditional Mystery Set™ rubies, rubies, diamonds.. Feminine figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Mélodie Mystérieuse ballerina clip, 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, Traditional Mystery Set™ rubies, rubies, diamonds

Jewelry work, setting. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Jewelry work, preparing the setting

Jewelry work, open work. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Jewelry work, open work

Brush polishing work. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Brush polishing work

Mystery Set™ work, inserting the stone into the rail. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Mystery Set™, inserting the stone into the rail

Here we are, surrounded by nimble dancers and enchanting fairies. These clips have become enduring symbols of the Maison. They celebrate the beauty of the female form in movement. Each one is a study in light and color, uniting precious materials and flowing lines.

Aile Mystérieuse fairy clip, white gold, Vitrail Mystery Set™ colored sapphires,  pink and mauve sapphires, diamonds. Feminine figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Aile Mystérieuse fairy clip, white gold, Vitrail Mystery Set™ colored sapphires, pink and mauve sapphires, diamonds

Caresse d’Éole fairy clip. 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, Traditional Mystery Set™ rubies, diamonds. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Caresse d’Éole fairy clip, 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, Traditional Mystery Set™ rubies, diamonds

Songe de Papillon feuille fairy clip. 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Songe de Papillon feuille fairy clip, 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds

Adelie fairy clip. White gold, rose gold, colored sapphires, lapis lazuli, diamonds. Feminine Figures collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Adelie fairy clip, white gold, rose gold, colored sapphires, lapis lazuli, diamonds