Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor all wore the dazzling jewelry creations of renowned Parisian jewelry House Van Cleef and Arpels. Since its opening at the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, the high-end jewelry brand has been a pivotal creative influence on 20th century jewelry making.

The brand’s story is told through a special exhibition at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum in New York this month where more than 250 works including timepieces, fashion accessories, and objets d’arts by Van Cleef and Arpels will be on display, many of which were created especially for the American market.

The exhibition explores the history of the firm through its innovation; fashion and celebrities; transformation, including its establishment in New York during the advent of World War II; and inspiration from art and poetry. On display will also be rare drawings of jewelry pieces from the Van Cleef and Arpels collection. A perfect opportunity to witness the creations of one of the most prestigious jewelry brands of the 20th century, this is the ultimate show for the lovers of glistening gems.

In addition, Van Cleef & Arpels will hold Les Voyages Extraordinaires, a special exhibition as part of this year’s Art Dubai unveiling the Maison’s new High Jewelry collection. A partner of Art Dubai for the last three years, the exhibition is four works by the famous 19th century French novelist Jules Verne: Five weeks in a Balloon, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.

Les Voyages Extraordinaires by Van Cleef and Arpels at Art Dubai from 16-19 March at the Madinat Jumeirah

“Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef and Arpels” shows at the Cooper- Hewitt Museum, National Design Museum in New York City from February 18th-June 5th 2011