Combining its quest for excellence with a taste for beauty and harmony, Van Cleef & Arpels has long drawn on dance as an enduring source of creativity

This year, Van Cleef & Arpels once again pays homage to this source of inspiration with twelve High Jewelry clips. This ensemble supplements the Ballet Précieux collection, which was launched in 2007 and enriched in 2023.

The creations evoke well-known classical works, notably from the Romantic period. The delicate movements, elegant costumes and rich ornamentation have been reproduced with precision, thanks to the craftsmen in the High Jewelry Workshops. Intricately sculpted from green wax, the silhouettes were then adorned with gold and stones: each step is testimony to the savoir-faire and attention to detail synonymous with Van Cleef & Arpels.

A precious corps de ballet

Perpetuating a cherished creative tradition, the Maison is unveiling 12 ballerina clips in homage to different ballets of the classical repertoire. Echoing Cleopatra, The Sylph or The Nutcracker, these slender-silhouetted figurines reveal costumes and ornaments brimming with carefully executed details.

To compose these bejeweled choreographies, the Maison has brought together numerous skills and selected a palette of gems that meets its criteria of excellence. In keeping with the expertise of Van Cleef & Arpels craftsmen, each piece is first sculpted by hand from green wax. An essential step in creating the Maison’s feminine figures, this time-honored technique enables the jeweler to examine the volumes of the clip in three dimensions. Combining close observation and precise gestures, he transcribes the grace of the body’s movements or the undulations of fabric into the material.

Once the model is complete, the wax is melted to make way for a piece in gold, which will be adjusted and polished by hand. It is then set with carefully selected stones, illuminating the silhouette and contributing notes of color.

The Van Cleef & Arpels Ballet Précieux collection features 12 ballerina clips—Danse de Séville, L’Esprit de la forêt, Perséide, Rêverie de Coppelius, Reine de Shemakhan, Armide, Belle de Songe, Rose de Bengale, Masha, Fée Dragée, Castilla, and Cléopâtre.

Each piece draws inspiration from iconic ballets and operas, translating moments of movement, emotion, and storytelling into high jewellery. Reflecting a rich blend of cultural influences, from classical European ballet to Spanish, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian traditions, the creations embody distinct characters and narratives.

Crafted in gold and adorned with diamonds and vibrant gemstones, and enhanced by techniques such as guilloché, lacquer, and pavé setting, the collection captures fluidity and intricate costume details. Together, these clips showcase the Maison’s ability to transform dance into timeless, wearable works of art.

A pas de deux initiated in 1941

The Van Cleef & Arpels’s connection to dance dates back to 1920s Paris, when Louis Arpels, a devoted ballet enthusiast, frequently visited the Opéra Garnier. This passion led to the creation of the Maison’s iconic Dancer clips in the 1940s, celebrated for their graceful postures and intricately detailed costumes. Adorned with gold, diamonds, and colored stones, these creations reflect diverse cultural influences from around the world.

Since 2007, the Ballet Précieux High Jewelry collection has continued this legacy, offering a modern tribute to dance through both figurative and stylized pieces. Crafted with techniques such as engraved gold, pavé settings, and enamel, the ballerinas evoke the textures and movement of stage costumes, drawing inspiration from legendary ballets like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Firebird. Blending fine jewellery with watchmaking artistry, the Maison brings the magic of ballet and opera to life through exceptional craftsmanship.

Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

In 2020, the Maison’s commitment to dance was reaffirmed with the creation of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. Guided by the values of creation, transmission, and education, this program aims to support artists and institutions in sharing choreographic heritage while encouraging new productions. Since its launch, Dance Reflections has accompanied numerous companies in their creations as well as multiple institutions in the presentation of their works on the international stage. The program is reinforced each year by major events, such as the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival.

In addition to supporting the creation and promotion of choreographic works, Dance Reflections placesincreasing importance on issues of transmission and education. With its partners, the initiative organizes residencies for professional dancers as well as actions to raise awareness of choreographic culture, open to all.