Van Cleef & Arpels is a French high jewellery and watchmaking house founded in 1896. With a long history in superior craftsmanship, inspired design and innovation, Van Cleef & Arpels has created jewels of remarkable beauty and elaboration that have been worn by royalty and other prominent figures from around the world, including Empress Farah of Iran, H.I.H. Princess Soraya of Iran, the Duchess of Windsor, Barbara Hutton, Grace Kelly, Maria Callas and Elisabeth Taylor. A collaboration between the House and choreographer Georges Balanchine in 1967 marked a long and close relationship between Van Cleef & Arpels and the world of the Arts, which continues to this day with collaborations and commissions of new works to artists.

Signature Van Cleef & Arpels pieces include the Zip Necklace (a patented design that closes like a real zip), the Minaudière vanity case, the Fairies and Ballerinas series, as well as the highly popular Alhambra collection. Since 1906 the company's workshops and flagship boutique are situated on the Place Vendôme in Paris.