The Story of Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels began as a love story.A marriage full of love and artistry turned into one of the most renowned top luxury brands in the world when in 1896, Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a precious stones broker, met Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a master stonecutter, and married in 1895.In 1906, the two families opened up an exquisite balance of beauty and luxury shop in Place Vendome with pieces that became instant classics.

Van Cleef & Arpels was already a brand steeped in renown when Renée Puissant ascended its helm in 1926.nheriting the house from her parents and co-founders Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, Puissant brought Van Cleef & Arpels into a new era of elegance and influence with her creative vision and surprisingly brazen attitude towards fine jewellery. 

For over a century, Van Cleef & Arpels has captivated the lovers of luxury jewelry with feminine and whimsical designs. Citing nature as their inexhaustible source of inspiration, the brand creates pieces that echo the flora and fauna in the most exquisite ways.Members of royalty and nobility worldwide were exceptionally fond of their creations and it quickly turned to one of the most artistic and best known top luxury brands.Their name is up there with Tiffany & Co, Cartier and Harry Winston.Van Cleef & Arpel now has boutiques all over the world.

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Van Cleef & Arpels?

• Van Cleef & Arpels

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The Story of Cartier 

Cartier was founded in 1847 in Paris by the jeweller Louis-François Cartier, who in 1899 handed over to his three sons.Cartier is one of the oldest luxury jewelry brands on the market, but it’s also a very regal brand. Cartier is known for its exceptional designs and the matching level of workmanship behind their jewelry designs, which is why Cartier continues to hold the top spot as the leading wedding ring designer.

In 1899, Cartier opened its boutique on the Rue de la Paix in Paris.  It was a true luxury shopping experience, with plush carpets and beautifully finished glass cabinets that displayed the jewellery to its full advantage.

Cartier was eventually taken international with offices in New York and London, and in 1904, it was awarded the Royal Warrant and became the jewellery supplier of the Royal Court of England.

In 1910, Cartier acquired the Hope Diamond, which had been in French hands since 1668. The diamond is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world, and also one of the most famous. The Cartier family retained ownership of the firm until 1964. It is now part of the Richemont Group.

Today, it boasts a long, prestigious history with some of the best fine jewelry and watches collections. What you may not know is that Cartier is the jewelry house that pioneered the use of platinum in jewelry, which is why the company is highly regarded by most people.

Cartier Jewelry Pros and Cons

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Dating back to 1847, Cartier is renow...

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The Story of Harry Winston

Harry Winston, Inc. is an American luxury jeweler and producer of Swiss timepieces. The company was founded in 1932 as Harry H. Winston Jewels, Inc. and changed its name to Harry Winston Inc. in January 1936. The company is named after its founder, Harry Winston, who was called by many as the "King of Diamonds".In fact, Harry Winston was both made and born. At just 12 years old he spotted a valuable emerald and sold it on for a hefty profit. Perhaps the pricing strategy of the modern-day Harry Winston stems back to that original mark up!

Harry Winston’s name has been synonymous with luxury.Following his father’s, Jacob, footsteps who opened a jewelry business when immigrated from Ukraine, Harry opened his own business in 1920 with his first store opening up in New York City in 1932.

Harry Winston’s jewelry is beyond exquisite. There isn’t a piece of jewelry that leaves their shop being less than awe-inspiring. The pieces they have created have matched the world leaders in refinement and quality. The diamonds have been exactingly cut and match the most rigorous parameters.

Harry Winston pieces are certainly favored amongst many celebrities. As far back as Liz Taylor, celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Madonna, Helen Mirren, and Amal Clooney have donned Harry Winston pieces.

Harry Winston Jewelry Pros and Cons

Where to Buy Harry Winston?

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The Story of Tiffany & Co.

Founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, Tiffany was originally named Tiffany & Young. They were the first company to bring gemstones to the USA, after buying jewellery from French aristocrats fleeing France in 1848 during the revolution. By 1853, Charles Tiffany assumed control of the company and renamed it Tiffany & Co.And it is one of the internationally-recognized brands for fine and luxury jewelry. Having been on the market for a number of decades, you can find pretty much any kind of wedding band or other kinds of fine jewelry from Tiffany’s.

Tiffany is known for its wide range of superior-quality wedding bands that luxuriate and boast a superior level of craftsmanship.Tiffany’s engagement rings often stand out because of Tiffany’s proprietary Tiffany Setting, which is considered the most famous type of engagement rings designs in the world. In addition to jewelry, Tiffany & Co. offers:

• Watches

• Fragrances
  

• Furniture
  

• Décor
  

• Eyewear
  

• Handbags
  

In elegant display, Tiffany & Co.’s website details the stories of their diamonds and the rigorous five-step, year-long process they endure to become a Tiffany diamond.Click here to read more.

Tiffany Jewelry Pros and Cons

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• Tiffany & Co.

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Van Cleef & Arpels vs. Cartier vs. Harry Winston vs. Tiffany: Comparison Side by Side

1.Price

Harry Winston>Van Cleef & Arpels>Cartier>Tiffany

Van Cleef & Arpels - Van Cleef & Arpels’ impressive reputation allows them to place astronomical prices on their jewelry. Not only are you paying for their jewelry’s exceptional gemstones and craftsmanship, but you are also paying for the Maison’s prestige.   While Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry is sold at seriously high prices, the good news is that they hold their value well on the second-hand market. Generally, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry in great condition with its branded box and official paperwork can be worth up to 50% of its purchase price. 

Cartier - Cartier has royal ties, so in a way, you’re buying jewelry from a royal brand. The average price for a Cartier engagement rings from a little under $1500 to over $25,000 for the diamond engagement rings.

Harry Winston - It goes without saying that the diamonds and jewelry on offer by Harry Winston are of some of the best quality found anywhere, but you really will be paying a hefty price tag.Harry Winston jewelry and diamonds are exclusive, high-class, and high-quality, but the price tags are simply unaffordable for most.Price-wise,you won’t find an exceptional piece here for a price tag under around $75,000.Unless you really are up there spending the big bucks, then you’re really wasting your time. 

Tiffany - When purchasing a piece of jewelry from Tiffany & Co, you should expect to pay extra for the brand. Therefore, a comparison between Tiffany & Co and other famous online jewelers will not be justified since there will be a considerable price difference.However, with the higher price tag, you will receive an exquisite piece of jewelry backed by a long history of dedicated work to ensure the highest quality and a brand name that will hold its value far into the future--an unrivaled shopping experience.

2.Material & Quality

Van Cleef & Arpels - Van Cleef & Arpels are known for their elegant designs and timeless nature of each and every piece they create. The collection has developed and grown over the years, showcasing a variety of models, using some of the most precious metals and stones.

Cartier - Cartier engagement rings are made of 95% platinum, and the 5% is a mix of metals that often include ruthenium, iridium, and/or palladium. This composition leaves you with a heavy and high-quality engagement rings.Cartier selects diamonds very carefully, choosing only stones with no visible inclusions and colorless diamond color ratings. Stones are also carefully examined for symmetry and brilliance to create the perfect ring.

Harry Winston - Harry Winston only carries diamonds that are of D, E, or F color and greater than VS2 clarity. These high quality standards ensure that every ring you see in Harry Winston's Salon will feature a diamond of truly excellent beauty and brilliance. Rigorous standards for diamond grading and decades of expertise ensure that every aspect of a Harry Winston diamond engagement ring is the absolute finest available in both quality and craftsmanship.

Tiffany - Tiffany only uses sterling silver, one of the most beautiful and lustrous of all metals. Sterling silver is a precious metal and may require cleaning from time to time. With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come.But Tiffany rings can feature an array of gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires and tanzanite. Using only the highest quality gemstones in their creations, these are sourced from exceptional raw materials. Diamonds, for instance, are always Excellent cuts, have great color and clarity grades and never have strong fluorescence. 

3.Custom Orders

Van Cleef & Arpels - Van Cleef & Arpels offers personalized engraving services for rings and pendants to ensure that this special sentiment remains with you forever.

Cartier - Their custom Engraving Service allows you to personalize your piece with a name, date, phrase, or symbol of your liking, in the language of your choice. This complimentary service is offered upon the presentation of the Cartier certificate of authenticity.

Harry Winston - All the jewelry pieces found at Harry Winston are created to bring out the best of the gemstones or diamonds, and so each piece is essentially a custom design. A custom design piece must align with the Harry Winston design aesthetic, which might not appeal to some people.

Harry Winston exclusively uses platinum for their settings, meaning that there is not much option in this regard. However, with the range of stones and experience offered by the jeweler, you should be able to find a designer, custom piece that speaks to you.

Tiffany - Tiffany & Co does not offer custom orders for clients. On the site, you can view different engagement ring settings. Once you have chosen a setting, you will be connected with a setting expert who will help you choose the suitable center stone to use.

4.Design & Style

Van Cleef & Arpels - Since 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has pursued its refined and highly recognizable style imbued with creativity, culture and poetry. The Maison applies its jewelry and watchmaking savoir-faire in a wondrously delicate universe where the most precious materials seem to come to life.Playing on volume and relief, Van Cleef & Arpels instills lightness and movement into each of its creations. Asymmetry imbues pieces with subtle dynamics that echo the vitality of flora, the grace of ballerinas or the flowing elegance of fabric.It has always sought to accentuate the beauty of stones. Precious stones, ornamental stones and noble materials such as mother-of-pearl give rise to new and brilliant harmonies through sparkling interplays of light and dazzling blends of colors.

Cartier - Cartier engagement rings come in both classic styles and modern designs. Classic diamond solitaire engagement rings may use multiple accent stones or pave settings for added brilliance, while bezel, prong, and channel engagement ring settings are other popular choices.Cartier's contemporary engagement rings are exquisite masterpieces of gemological artistry. When designing a new ring, modern trends and historic heritage are blended together for a unique ring with a hint of traditional flair. Elaborate channel settings in swirls and geometric patterns are reminiscent of art deco engagement rings, while the different sizes of accent stones add textural interest and distinction to the piece. 

Harry Winston - Harry Winston can offer clients an exclusive range of jewelry that shines in all aspects. From the Secrets collection to The Incredible, the ranges are exclusive to Harry Winston, each with its distinct features and impeccable design.Moreover, The House of Harry Winston claims to design their jewelry around their gems, making each one a custom designer piece.

Tiffany - Tiffany’s engagement rings are beautiful, but the designs are not as complicated.The classic Tiffany engagement ring exudes simplistic elegance. Discover classic and contemporary styles and settings, from traditional solitaire engagement rings to modern pavé and halo designs—all made with unparalleled craftsmanshipYou know your product has reached the top of the tree when the world is littered with lookalikes sold as ‘Tiffany style’. 

5.Return Policy

Conclusion

In conclusion for this Van Cleef & Arpels vs. Cartier vs. Harry Winstont vs. Tiffany comparison, all the four brands are reputable and sell quality dazzling brilliant diamonds. It really boils down to personal choice but you can’t go wrong with either company. 

If you are on a slightly smaller budget,Then Cartier or Tiffany would be a good fit.Cartier is the crown jewel of eccentric high-end jewelry, including watches and the best of engagement rings, and though imperfectly expensive, Cartier wins in terms of the quality of the products they offer.Tiffany sells high-end jewellery but is also well known for its more affordable silver jewellery which broadens its appeal. Tiffany also has rare items and sells only the utmost quality gems.With Tiffany, you will pay more and some say you also pay for the brand name as well.

And,Van Cleef & Arpels or Harry Winstont  is a store to visit for those looking to make a large purchase, conscious of a brand name.Their history of innovation, prestige, remarkable creations and flawless gemstones make their jewelry well worth their price. But we must for a moment settle back into the reality that most of us do not have $100,000+ to spend on a diamond and we should not be disheartened by this fact. 

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