Van Cleef & Arpels’ newest Ballerina clips immortalise the fleeting beauty of choreography in its most precious form.
BY BRANDON CHIA. Products photographed by CHING; model photographed by ATHIRAH ANNISSA.
Enchantment has long been part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ DNA—a quiet alchemy that transforms gold and gemstones into living poetry. Nowhere is this more palpable than in its Ballet Précieux collection, featuring 12 new ballerina clips that capture movement at its most ephemeral. A pirouette suspended mid-air, a tutu caught in flight, a gesture frozen at its most expressive.
The Reverie de Coppelius clip, Van Cleef & Arpels, worn on a dancer.
A Legacy Inspired By Dance
The Maison’s connection with dance dates back to the 1920s. At that time, one of the founding brothers was an ardent fan of the ballet. He frequented the Paris Opera with his nephew. By the 1940s, the first dancer clips emerged in New York—featuring a rose-cut diamond for the face, bejewelled headdresses, bodices, and tutus. They echoed the beauty of costumes that flowed with every precise movement of the ballerina.
That enduring connection deepened in 2020 with Dance Reflections, an initiative supporting choreographers and institutions worldwide. While separate from its jewellery collections, the programme underscores a shared pursuit—the relentless quest for beauty and harmony.
The Art of High Jewellery
Behind each clip lies another kind of choreography—one unfolding within the ateliers of
Van Cleef & Arpels. Goldsmiths, gem-setters and lacquer artisans work in tandem. Their expertise is layered as meticulously as the dancers’ costumes. From sculpting articulated skirts in gold to setting vivid stones, each process demands technical virtuosity. A sharp eye for aesthetics is also required.
“The timelessness of dance as an artistic pursuit intrinsically favours the creation of relevant and modern pieces. Each contemporary creation finds its roots in the Maison’s heritage, echoing and reinterpreting past motifs, savoir-faire or cherished themes. By combining innovation with tradition, High Jewellery Dancer creations explore new facets of this art form, expanding on its many movements and stories,” says Patrimony and Exhibitions Director Alexandrine Maviel Sonet.
View this post on Instagram
In Ballet Précieux, that philosophy finds tangible expression. Inspired by storied productions including Don Quichotte, The Nutcracker, Cléopâtre and more, each clip is a feat of craftsmanship. It is a delicate composition of sculpted gold, calibrated gemstones and nuanced techniques. Together, these animate stillness.
“As testified by our ballerina clips, we pay the utmost level of attention to the volumes and details of the movement. Indeed, costumes in particular are complex to make, given their volume and the representation of the movement of the ballerinas as they execute their pas chassés, entre chat or arabesque,” says Chief Executive Officer Catherine Rénier.
She adds: “Over the years, we have remained faithful to the Maison’s style and its approach to representations of ballerina design. The Maison endeavours to portray them with a fresh and modern eye, revisiting its famed dancers through different postures, elaborate costumes, and incorporating vivid colours and stone associations.”
Choreography Captured in Gold
Gold, white gold and diamond Castilla ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
The Castilla ballerina clip, drawn from Rudolf Nureyev’s ballet Don Quichotte, is a prime example. From her golden fan, which flourished against her corset, to the flounced sleeves and skirt, set with sparkling diamonds, it conjures the same voluminous and dramatic shape of the stage ensemble.
“Jewellery has been an integral part of the fashion process, not only adorning but also imitating elements of clothing. Founded in Paris, and considered the capital of couture, Van Cleef & Arpels naturally draws inspiration from this universe,” says Sonet.
She continues: “A perfect example of this artistry is seen in the tutus of the Dancer clips, where woven gold emulates lace and precious beads form a voluminous skirt. Indeed, as would the fashion designer, the jeweller hones their craft in pursuit of innovation and creativity, revealing the elegance of the wearer.”
White gold, rose gold, diamond and sapphire Fée Dragée ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Equally captivating, the Fée des Dragées ballerina clip, playing the iconic role of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, dazzles in a multi-layered, scallop-hemmed tutu with diamond pavé and pink sapphires set in a gentle gradation. This is a masterclass in dimension that lends a greater depth and lightness to the piece.
Colours, Costumes and Character
Gold, white gold, black spinel, diamond, emerald, lapis lazuli, onyx, ruby, sapphire, spessartite garnet, tourmaline, turquoise Cléopâtre ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Coloured gems take centre stage with the Cléopâtre ballerina clip. This creation references Jules Massenet’s opera and features a headdress, bib and a skirt with contrasting gems. Emeralds, lapis lazuli, onyx, spinels and turquoise evoke the bold colour combinations of the costumes while heightening contrast and drama.
“Over time, jewellery techniques have become more precise and refined, further blurring the lines between the fluidity of fabrics and the stillness of metal. This gives rise to ballerina clips that look just like they are about to twirl. For these 12 figures, we have worked both on stone combinations and on gold textures to endow our clips with realism and light,” says Rénier.
White gold, rose gold, diamond, emerald, sapphire and lacquer Rêverie de Coppelius ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
The Rêverie de Coppelius clip reveals another layer of Van Cleef & Arpels’ savoir-faire. Coloured sapphires and an emerald are used to articulate the dress. Meanwhile, purple lacquer decorates the sleeves, introducing a surprising texture to the dancer’s poised silhouette.
A Play on Light
Gold, white gold, diamond and sapphire Danse de Séville ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Movement reaches a crescendo with the Danse de Séville ballerina clip, inspired by the second act of Carmen by Georges Bizet. Here, ruffled skirts appear to whirl mid-spin with light reflecting from the polished gold as though responding to unseen music.
Gold, white gold, diamond, emerald and sapphire Rose de Bengale ballerina clip, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Finally, the Rose de Bengale clip portrays the goddess Amravati from Le Talisman. She is captured on pointe in a blaze of diamonds set on the leotard with golden braids. The ornamental, screen-like skirt set with cabochon gems nods to the opulence of ancient India. It’s a radiant act that celebrates dance not merely as inspiration, but as an enduring muse for the Maison.
“This is really where the Maison’s expertise and savoir-faire are fully expressed—jewellery techniques have become more precise and refined, further blurring the lines between the fluidity of fabrics and the stillness of metal,” says Rénier. “This gives rise to ballerina clips that look just like they are about to twirl. For these twelve figures, we have worked both on stone combinations and on gold textures to endow our clips with realism and light.”
