Van Cleef & Arpels welcomes you to an audio guide tour of a selection of pieces presented at the exhibition “A Quest for Beauty: the Art of Van Cleef & Arpels,” from October 27th 2013 to February 15th 2014, at the Bowers museum of cultural art, Santa Ana, California, USA.The history of Van Cleef & Arpels began in 1895 with a love story, when Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a precious stone merchant, married Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a lapidary and diamond broker. In 1906, their passion for jewelry and spirit of enterprise inspired them to open a boutique at 22 place Vendôme in Paris, in an area renowned for its elegance and finery. Ever since then, jewelry has been an art for Van Cleef & Arpels. Thanks to the Mains d’Or – or “Golden Hands”, master-jewelers from Van Cleef & Arpels’ workshops in the place Vendôme - the Maison developed new techniques and creations which have become its signatures: an ingenious clutch bag called the Minaudière™ precious case, the Mystery Setting™ technique in which the metal disappears beneath precious stones, the convertible Passe-Partout or the innovative Zip™ necklace inspired by the humble zipper.The elegance and ingenuity of its creations, along with its use of the rarest and most precious materials, made Van Cleef & Arpels the choice of royalty, Hollywood icons and a discriminating clientele whose high standards and impeccable taste demand “only the best”.Today, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to be renowned for its innovative techniques and designs which include only the highest quality gemstones. As you will see, successive collections have perpetuated a highly original style defined by poetry, culture, grace and femininity, extending the Maison’s influence throughout the world.