Last Updated on October 25, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Van Cleef & Arpels butterfly necklace & other dazzling luxury jewelry
Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces are probably their most popular pieces of jewelry, and the Van Cleef and Arpels butterfly necklace from their Fauna collection is just one stunning example. This delicate collection is inspired by symbols of luck and the beauty of nature, with everything from earrings and necklaces to bracelets, clips and the exquisite Van Cleef butterfly ring, which was love at first sight for me. Although most of their pieces are! One of the many things I love about Van Cleef, besides the quality and design, is that you can build upon your collections over the years. In this guide, I’m taking a closer look at the butterfly jewelry I’ve worn, including the diamond necklace, Two Butterfly ring and mismatched earrings, along with prices, symbolism and what to know before buying. You’ll also see the brand abbreviated to VCA, so if you’ve been searching for a VCA butterfly necklace, you’re in the right place.
This Van Cleef butterfly collection post contains affiliate links.
What is the Van Cleef & Arpels Fauna butterfly collection?
Van Cleef & Arpels has a long history of taking inspiration from nature, and the Fauna collection celebrates everything from butterflies to lucky animals. The nature-inspired collections and themes include:
- Lucky Spring
- Lucky animals which of course includes a black cat.
- Two butterflies
- Butterflies
Now you can see why Van Cleef & Arpels is so popular in Las Vegas! Luck is a recurring theme throughout the Maison’s jewelry, including its iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection, which is inspired by the four-leaf clover.
Van Cleef & Arpels Fauna collections make up a tender, loving family. These creations of both ornamental and precious stones are part of a long-standing tradition that has been dear to the Maison since its inception: to convey the beauty and gentleness of nature in motion.
Van Cleef and Arpels
What does a butterfly mean on a necklace?
Butterflies are often associated with transformation, new beginnings, freedom and beauty, which makes a butterfly necklace a meaningful gift as well as a beautiful piece of jewelry. For Van Cleef & Arpels, butterflies also celebrate the movement and delicacy of nature, a theme that runs throughout the Fauna collection. Alongside the Maison’s Lucky Spring and Lucky Animals designs, they fit beautifully into its world of nature-inspired jewelry and lucky symbols.
What’s in the Van Cleef Butterfly ‘Fauna’ collection
The Van Cleef & Arpels Fauna collection includes earrings, rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and clips. I’m wearing pieces from the Butterflies and Two Butterfly sub-collections. They’re dainty but still eye-catching statement pieces that work for both day and night.
The Van Cleef butterfly jewelry pieces I’m wearing:
- Van Cleef & Arpels butterfly necklace: The dainty Van Cleef and Arpels butterfly necklace is made from 18k white gold and diamonds.
- Van Cleef butterfly ring: This spectacular ring features 1.67 carats of 70 marquise-cut diamonds that make up the two butterflies. The open design allows the fit to be adjusted slightly, and it’s such a stunning statement piece.
- Fauna Van Cleef butterfly earrings: These are another talking piece because they’re not a matching pair but contrasting designs. One earring features lapis lazuli, while the other sparkles with marquise-cut diamonds set in yellow gold.
Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) butterfly necklace: Fauna collection
The butterfly Van Cleef designs are some of my favorites because they’re feminine and delicate without being boring. While the single butterfly necklace is beautifully understated, the Two Butterfly designs add more movement, color and sparkle, especially in the diamond versions.
Take a closer look at the Van Cleef and Arpels butterfly necklace, Two Butterfly ring and earrings in my video below, including how they look when worn and some of my favorite pieces from the collection.
Van Cleef butterfly necklace prices: How much do they cost?
Van Cleef & Arpels butterfly necklace prices vary considerably depending on whether you’re buying a single butterfly or Two Butterfly design, the precious metal and the gemstones used.
As a guide, current US retail prices for selected Two Butterfly pendants include:
- Mother-of-pearl and diamond pendant in rose and white gold: from $9,300.
- Turquoise and diamond pendant in yellow and white gold: $12,100.
- All-diamond Two Butterfly pendant in yellow and white gold: $17,600.
- All-diamond Two Butterfly pendant in white gold: $18,400.
These are examples of boutique retail prices, not a fixed price range for every butterfly necklace Van Cleef has ever made. Designs, availability and prices can change, and vintage or discontinued pieces may be priced differently.
Is a second-hand Van Cleef butterfly necklace cheaper?
Not necessarily. Pre-owned Van Cleef jewelry can sometimes be less expensive than buying new, but sought-after designs, rare stones and discontinued pieces may sell for close to retail or even above their original prices. When comparing prices, make sure you’re looking at the same design, metal, gemstones and condition. A diamond butterfly necklace shouldn’t be compared directly with a mother-of-pearl pendant, even if both belong to the same collection. I also wouldn’t buy Van Cleef purely as an investment. Although some pieces retain their value exceptionally well, resale prices depend on demand, condition, authenticity and selling fees.
Van Cleef Alhambra vs butterfly necklace: Which should you choose?
If you’re deciding between a Van Cleef Alhambra necklace and a butterfly necklace, I think it comes down to the look you’re going for. The Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection is probably the more instantly recognizable of the two, thanks to its signature four-leaf clover motif. It’s a classic choice if you love the brand’s iconic designs and want something that’s easy to recognize and style.
The butterfly necklaces feel a little more romantic and whimsical. I particularly love the diamond designs because they catch the light beautifully, while the Two Butterfly pieces have that extra detail and movement that makes them feel special. Personally, I love both collections for different reasons. If you want an instantly recognizable Van Cleef classic, I’d lean toward Alhambra. If you prefer something more delicate, feminine and nature-inspired, the butterfly collection is worth exploring.
How to tell if a Van Cleef butterfly necklace is real
With luxury jewelry at these prices, authenticity is something I’d take seriously, especially when shopping second-hand. Authentic Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry generally has identifying hallmarks and a serial number, but these details alone aren’t proof of authenticity because counterfeit pieces can copy engravings.
Before buying a pre-owned butterfly necklace, I’d recommend checking:
- The seller’s reputation and whether they offer professional authentication.
- Clear photographs of the hallmarks, serial number, clasp and setting.
- Whether the design, metal and gemstones match an authentic Van Cleef reference.
- Any original purchase receipt, certificate and accompanying packaging.
- The return policy and what happens if the item fails authentication.
Van Cleef & Arpels recommends buying through its official boutiques or website, and it also offers authentication services. For particularly expensive diamond pieces, I’d be much more comfortable buying from the Maison directly or from an established luxury resale specialist with a clear authenticity guarantee.
Shop Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces and butterfly jewelry
In the US, the best place to shop for new Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces and jewelry is directly through their boutiques. You can use their official store locator to find your closest location. You can also find beautiful pre-owned pieces through established luxury consignment retailers, sometimes including designs that are no longer available in boutiques.
In the UK, Van Cleef & Arpels has a boutique on Bond Street in London, and availability through other luxury retailers like Selfridges can vary. I recommend checking current stock and authorized sellers rather than assuming a particular department store carries the collection.
Buying second-hand with a guarantee
If you’re buying a pre-owned Van Cleef butterfly necklace, check the retailer’s authenticity policy, return window and refund conditions before ordering. In particular, make sure you understand whether the piece is eligible for returns, who pays return shipping and what happens if there’s an authenticity concern.
For high-value diamond jewelry, I’d also check whether the seller provides a detailed condition report and photographs of the actual piece rather than stock images.
Van Cleef butterfly necklace FAQs
What is the most expensive thing from Van Cleef & Arpels?
Van Cleef & Arpels creates exceptional high-jewelry pieces featuring rare diamonds and precious gemstones, some of which are worth millions of dollars. There’s no single permanently most expensive piece because one-of-a-kind high-jewelry creations and auction results vary. The butterfly necklaces featured here are part of the Maison’s fine-jewelry collections rather than its most expensive high-jewelry creations.
How can you tell if a Van Cleef necklace is authentic?
The safest way to buy an authentic Van Cleef necklace is through the brand’s official boutiques or website. For pre-owned jewelry, check the hallmarks, serial number, supporting documentation and the seller’s authentication and return policies. A serial number or certificate on its own isn’t a guarantee that a piece is genuine.
Follow
For daily fashion, style and beauty inspiration and what I’m shopping for this season.
More in luxury jewelry
Luxury jewelry is a big investment. Here are my favorites for gifting and wearing.
