Van Cleef & Arpels Heritage Collection taps booming vintage jewellery market

Van Cleef & Arpels has capitalized on the surging secondary market for vintage jewellery through its Heritage Collection, launched in 2007. The initiative allows clients to purchase authenticated vintage pieces directly from the maison, ensuring provenance and aftercare while capturing revenue from a fast-growing sector. In 2024, combined sales of Van Cleef jewels at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Artcurial exceeded €120 million. The collection comprises around 150 exceptional 20th-century creations, selected for wearability and condition. Pieces are authenticated via unique engraved numbers checked against archives, and are cleaned but not repolished to preserve patina. Current offerings include 1960s transformable diamond necklaces, flexible "Ludo" bracelets, and patriotic jewels from World War II, such as a 1944 yellow-gold box with ruby and turquoise made in the US due to platinum rationing. Natacha Vassiltchikov, international heritage retail director, emphasizes that the collection is not merely a reselling service but a curated selection of historically significant, enduring designs.