Want to see some exquisite jewelry? Then make for A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels at the Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA (October 27, 2013 through February 15, 2014).

The Bowers Museum has curated more than 200 iconic pieces made by the storied jewelry house. Jewelry is organized around four themes: Elegance, Exoticism, Femininity, and Nature. Expect to see remarkable craftsmanship, dazzling gemstones, and a parade of innovative and timeless works.

Van Cleef & Arpels Dragon clip, 1969. Image courtesy of Bowers Museum.

Dragons in the East symbolize power, luck, and strength, while the coral ball represents the pursuit of wisdom. This dragon clip from 1969 is a dramatic example of “Exoticism.”

Van Cleef & Arpels Spanish Dancer clip 1941. Image courtesy of Bowers Museum.

Dancers were one of Van Cleef & Arpels signature pieces, and became a popular symbol of hope during World War II. This Spanish dancer clip (circa 1941) shows the creative use of rubies and emeralds to create visual accents and a sense of depth; the dancer’s face is a single diamond.

Founded in 1906, Van Cleef and Arpels is one of the world’s most prestigious jewelry houses. It has designed crowns for royalty, jewelry for celebrities like Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor, and popularized the Mystery Setting (no prongs visibly securing the gemstones).

Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Set Pastilles clip. Image courtesy of Bowers Museum.

This Mystery Set Pastilles clip (circa 1951) is made of platinum, yellow gold, osmior, rubies, and diamonds. Notice that there are no prongs holdings the stones in place – a feat that required outstanding lapidary skills.

Van Cleef & Arpels Dragon Vanity Case, 1923. Image courtesy of Bowers Museum.

Vanity cases – a trendy alternative to handbags in the 1920s – were another popular object created by Van Cleef and Arpels. Each one had a unique surface decoration that “demonstrated a staggering mastery of jewelry techniques,” according to Van Cleef & Arpels by Sylvie Raulet.

Van Cleef & Arpels Zip necklace. Image courtesy of Bowers Museum.

Another iconic piece by Van Cleef and Arpels, this Zip necklace (circa 1955) can be zippered and turned into a bracelet – extraordinary difficult accomplishments when working with gold (which is a soft metal) and fine gemstones. The first piece was made at the request of the Duchess of Windsor.

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