Founded in Paris in 1906 on the Place Vendôme, Van Cleef & Arpels was established by Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law Salomon Arpels, both from families of diamond dealers and jewelers.

Very quickly, the maison distinguished itself through its refinement, poetic inspiration, and exceptional technical craftsmanship. It became renowned for its transformable jewelry, invisible clasps, and especially the famous Mystery Set technique, patented in 1933, which allows the metal surrounding the gemstones to become almost completely invisible.

Van Cleef & Arpels established itself as one of the foremost French high jewellery houses, renowned for the elegance of its creations and the distinctive poetry of its universe.