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
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
