Natural History Converges with High Jewelry in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Cosmic Splendor

The AMNH's latest display showcases extraordinary diamond jewelry.

Alvaro Keding/ © AMNH

It is rare to encounter an environment where exquisite art, natural history, and haute joaillerie seamlessly converge into a singular experience. Starting April 11, attendees at the American Museum of Natural History in New York will experience the unveiling of Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels. This magnificent convergence of cosmic marvel and exquisite artistry demonstrates that rare natural diamonds and gemstones are not solely meant for vaults or museums, but can also adorn the human body.

Located within the Museum’s Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, part of the renowned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, Cosmic Splendor features over 60 unique items of fine jewelry, timepieces, and objets d’art inspired directly by the cosmos. The exhibition encourages us to perceive exquisite jewelry from a novel perspective, showcasing golden lunar terrains and diamond-encrusted spiral galaxies. It transcends mere wearable luxury, embodying a human reaction to the profound enigmas of space.

Residing at the confluence of opulence and natural history, I perceive Cosmic Splendor as an exemplary manifestation of how exquisite jewelry, particularly when centered on natural diamonds and gemstones, acts as a conduit between Earth's primordial past and our insatiable future curiosity. These stones originated deep within the Earth billions of years ago, long before mankind sought significance in the heavens. Through the perspective of Van Cleef & Arpels, they are metamorphosed into gemstones that pay tribute to both the celestial realm and the Earth that produced them.

Gems of Celestial Magnificence

Van Cleef & Arpels Doubles galaxies (Double galaxy) clips | Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels

Every thematic segment of the show presents a distinct perspective of the cosmos. In “Take Me Away,” starbursts and space capsules are depicted within loops of diamonds, featuring the imaginative Tampa Necklace, inspired by Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon. “Across the Universe” expands to display swirling galaxies depicted in pink and mauve gemstones, with the Double Galaxies clips that evoke the Butterfly Galaxies in Virgo.

“Lunar Wonders” acknowledges our everlasting interest with the Moon. A remarkable yellow gold brooch, designed to resemble the lunar surface, features a cabochon ruby denoting the Apollo 11 landing site and is identical to the clips presented to the mission's crew. In “Our Star,” vibrant citrines and luminous garnets, accented by diamonds, represent the sun's energy, featuring an antique Sun Pendant-Clip from the 1970s.

Van Cleef & Arpels Asterisk Clip | Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels

Captivating works are also included in “Beyond Earth,” where creativity transcends our planet. The Trappist transformable necklace and earrings, inspired by the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, merge scientific inquiry with artistic expression. The Midnight Planétarium watch—an astronomical timepiece that monitors the genuine orbits of planets—demonstrates Van Cleef & Arpels’ capacity to create fine jewelry that is both fanciful and intricately sophisticated.

Undoubtedly, no display of celestial heavens would be complete without the stars themselves. In “Burning Bright,” celestial entities are animated through radiant black opals and eternal diamond starbursts. The Astre Necklace and Asterisk Set exemplify how Van Cleef & Arpels encapsulates not only the visual essence of the night sky but also its emotional resonance.

The "Lucky Stars" section highlights the Zodiac, showcasing constellations manifested as pendants, bracelets, and timepieces. Although the galaxy may appear boundless, these items embody profound personal significance and serve as a reminder that jewelry frequently narrates stories intrinsic to our own experiences.

A Partnership of Cosmic Splendor

Cosmic Splendor's presence in the Museum is particularly resonant as it encompasses not only jewelry but also natural history, creativity, and artisanal skill. These jewels originated within the Earth under extraordinary conditions, forming over millions to billions of years. They are natural gifts, converted into wearable art, suitable for both museum exhibitions and enhancing someone's appearance during a night out in Manhattan. Cosmic Splendor, curated by Alexandrine Maviel-Sonet of Van Cleef & Arpels and Kate Kiseeva of the Museum, is on display until January 4, 2026, and is included with Museum entry.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Van Cleef & Arpels to honor the lasting inspiration of the cosmos through this magnificent exhibition of natural beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship,” stated Sean M. Decatur, President of the American Museum of Natural History. “Leveraging the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which narrate the remarkable diversity of Earth's minerals, alongside the Hayden Planetarium, where visitors delve into the magnificence of the universe, Cosmic Splendor is an exceptionally appropriate exhibition for our Museum. It continues a longstanding heritage of presenting our guests with the natural environment, scientific knowledge, and the diverse cultural expressions at the convergence of nature and art.