Cover Van Cleef & Arpels Fée Dragée, Cléopâtre and Castilla ballerina clips
Van Cleef & Arpels Fée Dragée, Cléopâtre and Castilla ballerina clips
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For more than eight decades, Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn inspiration from the world of classical dance, and continues this dialogue with its latest Ballet Précieux creations
The relationship between Van Cleef & Arpels and the world of dance can be traced back to the Paris of the 1920s, when Louis Arpels, one of the maison’s founders and a devoted ballet enthusiast, would regularly attend performances at the Opéra Garnier with his nephew Claude, just steps away from the maison’s Place Vendôme boutique. That early fascination soon found expression in jewellery. The first dancer clips appeared in the early 1940s, capturing ballerinas mid-pose, their tutus and gestures rendered in gold and precious stones.
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Above Cléopâtre ballerina clip in white and yellow gold set with emeralds, rubies, sapphire, spessartite garnets, blue tourmalines, black spinels, lapis lazuli, turquoise, onyx and diamonds
Cléopâtre ballerina clip in white and yellow gold set with emeralds, rubies, sapphire, spessartite garnets, blue tourmalines, black spinels, lapis lazuli, turquoise, onyx and diamonds
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Over the decades, these figurative creations became one of the maison’s most recognisable signatures. Their poised silhouettes, expressive gestures and richly detailed costumes reflected not only the discipline of classical ballet, but also Van Cleef & Arpels’ mastery of volume and proportion. In 2007, this enduring dialogue with dance was given new scope with the launch of the Ballet Précieux high jewellery collection—a dedicated homage to the art form through exceptional, one-of-a-kind clips.
For 2026, the maison unveils 12 new ballerina clips, forming what it describes as a precious corps de ballet. Each exquisitely crafted piece draws inspiration from a work of ballet in the classical repertoire, particularly from the Romantic period, translating iconic stage characters into sculptural high jewellery.
Above Castilla ballerina clip in white and rose gold set with sapphires and diamonds
Castilla ballerina clip in white and rose gold set with sapphires and diamonds
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Among the most striking in the collection is the Cléopâtre ballerina clip. Inspired by French composer Jules Massenet’s opera and the enduring fascination with ancient Egypt, the figure is adorned with a headdress crowned by a pear-shaped stone, a bib necklace, arm bracelets and a gadrooned gold loincloth set with contrasting gems. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise, lapis lazuli and onyx are brought together with diamonds in a bold composition that reflects the richness of theatrical costume.
Equally dynamic is the Castilla ballerina clip, which channels the energy of Spanish dance as reinterpreted in the ballet Don Quichotte. From her unfurled fan to her characteristic pose, the entire silhouette conveys flair and momentum. Flounced sleeves crafted in gold thread accentuate the gesture of her raised arms, while superimposed skirts come alive in a vibrant harmony of diamonds and sapphires.
Above Danse de Séville ballerina clip in white and yellow gold set with pink sapphires and diamonds
Above L’Esprit de la forêt ballerina clip in white and yellow gold set with rubies, sapphire, mauve sapphires, tsavorite garnets and diamonds
Danse de Séville ballerina clip in white and yellow gold set with pink sapphires and diamonds
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Elsewhere in the collection, the Danse de Séville clip references Carmen, with superimposed skirts that evoke flamenco’s dramatic flair. Pink sapphires and diamonds animate the lower half of the costume, while polished gold reflects the light with theatrical intensity. In contrast, L’Esprit de la forêt recalls the ethereal heroine of The Sylph, with diamond-set wings and a tutu entirely paved with stones, conjuring the lightness of a Romantic ballet suspended mid-air.
The Rêverie de Coppelius clip, inspired by Coppélia, captures the stillness of a mechanical doll through a poised stance and scalloped, gem-set hem. Reine de Shemakhan, drawn from The Golden Cockerel, is distinguished by engraved gold, lacquered sleeves and vividly coloured sapphires, evoking Persian-influenced stage attire.
Above Checking the structure’s adjustment on the Belle de Songe ballerina clip
Checking the structure’s adjustment on the Belle de Songe ballerina clip
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Each Ballet Précieux creation begins as a sculpture in green wax, shaped by hand to refine posture and proportion in three dimensions. Only once the intended movement is achieved is the wax replaced by gold, which is then meticulously polished, engraved or textured before the stones are set. Gold is worked in multiple finishes—hammered, guilloché or mirror-polished — to recreate the soft textures of fabric, lace or embroidery under theatre lights.
Gem selection is equally exacting. Van Cleef & Arpels’ gemologists assemble precise colour harmonies that illuminate each character while maintaining balance across the collection. Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and ornamental stones are combined to enhance depth and contrast, allowing each figure to convey its own distinct mood.
Armide ballerina clip in white and rose gold set with coloured sapphires, blue tourmaline and diamonds
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Notably, movement in Ballet Précieux is suggested rather than engineered. There are no articulated mechanisms; instead, gesture and silhouette create the illusion of choreography. A lifted arm, a turned head or the subtle rise of a pointe shoe implies the continuation of a dance beyond the frame of the clip.
With these twelve new creations, Van Cleef & Arpels once again translates the ephemeral language of ballet into enduring form. Through gold and gemstones, the maison captures a fleeting moment on stage and preserves it in a state of poised suspension, where movement and stillness coexist.
Credits
Images: Van Cleef & Arpels
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
