Van Cleef & Arpels is a luxury French jewelry, watch and perfume company. It was founded by Charles Arpels and his brother-in-law Alfred Van Cleef in 1896. The pair opened their first shop in prestigious Place Vendôme in 1906. They gained notoriety for their use of precious stones and their expertise and innovation in stone-setting techniques.
The Van Cleef and Arpels empire expanded to multiple boutiques between 1909 and 1939. In 1942, the Arpels family emigrated to the United States and opened their first American boutique in New York. The company eventually expanded into Asia, and remained under the operation and management of family members until 1999, when it was acquired by Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A.