CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 11/26/2016

Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art & Science of Gems

This 1933 photograph of Singer sewing machine heiress Daisy Fellows wearing an Elsa Schiaparelli dress and two bracelets transformed from an Indian inspiration necklace of platinum, emeralds and diamonds, is reproduced from Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art & Science of Gems, one of our top 10 Fashion Gift Books of 2016. "Since its beginnings in 1906, the elegant Maison Van Cleef & Arpels has always been the privileged supplier of rare gemstones and unique jewels to royalty, aristocrats, business magnates, billionaires, exotic Maharanis, artists and Hollywood stars," the editors write. "They all mingled together at the same international events, creating that sparkling tableau vivant known as Café Society, all bedecked in sumptuous Van Cleef & Arpels jewels: the epitome of beauty, exclusivity and ultimate refinement."