Events & AwardsJan 03, 2025
12 Works by Glenn Lehrer, Paula Crevoshay on Display at Lapidary MuseumEvents & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNH
“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry From the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels,” opens April 11 at the American Museum of Natural History.
The “Diane” clip from Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Bal du Siècle, Bals de Lègende” high jewelry collection, one of the pieces soon to be on display at the American Museum of Natural History. The piece depicts Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon, in white gold floating above a purple star sapphire in a cloud of blue and mauve sapphires with a diamond crescent moon in one hand and a diamond star in the other. (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
New York—The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York has announced that an exhibition of astronomy-inspired high jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels will open on April 11.
“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels” will feature nearly 70 celestial, mythological, and astrological pieces from the brand.
The exhibition is designed to celebrate the wonders and mysteries of the cosmos.
People have been captivated by the night sky and moved by the grandeur of space to create captivating works of art for a millennium, said AMNH.
The jewelry, timepieces, and precious objects showcased in the upcoming “Cosmic Splendor” exhibition include necklaces depicting rockets in flight, gem-set pendants inspired by distant nebulae, and watches with mechanisms that trace the transit of planetary bodies.
“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels” will feature nearly 70 celestial, mythological, and astrological pieces from the brand.
The exhibition is designed to celebrate the wonders and mysteries of the cosmos.
People have been captivated by the night sky and moved by the grandeur of space to create captivating works of art for a millennium, said AMNH.
The jewelry, timepieces, and precious objects showcased in the upcoming “Cosmic Splendor” exhibition include necklaces depicting rockets in flight, gem-set pendants inspired by distant nebulae, and watches with mechanisms that trace the transit of planetary bodies.
These clips were inspired by two galaxies in the “Virgo” constellation, nicknamed the “Butterfly Galaxies,” which astronomers predict will eventually merge into one. On the left is the “Doubles Galaxies” Saphir mauve clip and on the right is the Saphir rose clip. (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
A moon pendant in yellow gold with a ruby representing the landing spot of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. Three of these moon pendants were given to the astronauts who took part in the Apollo 11 lunar mission and one to President Richard Nixon, who welcomed them home. (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
The Van Cleef & Arpels “Spiral” clip from 1942 in platinum, yellow gold, and rose gold with rubies and diamonds (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
The “Lady Arpels Heures Filantes” watch from 2015 displays not only the time and date but also when a meteor shower is underway and how many meteors might be seen. The piece uses white gold, aventurine glass, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds. (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
The “Meteor” clip from 1951 depicts golden rays radiating from the diamond-studded core of a meteor in platinum (Image courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
The pieces to be exhibited come from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Patrimonial Collection and private owners who lent their contemporary jewels for the occasion.
The museum will house “Cosmic Splendor” in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, a space for temporary exhibitions in the newly renovated Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals that opened in February 2021.
The space previously featured a collaboration between the museum and the jeweler in 2023, “Garden of Green: Exquisite Jewelry from the Collection of Van Cleef & Arpels.”
Most recently, the gallery exhibited “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry.”
“Cosmic Splendor” is supported by the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation.
The exhibition is included with any admission to AMNH. Tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website.
More information on “Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels” will be available soon on the website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
