INSPIRATION
Guide to Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Pendants
A Guide to Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Pendants
Van Cleef & Arpels’ holiday pendants have become one of the most anticipated annual releases in the world of luxury jewellery. Each year, the Maison unveils a limited-edition Alhambra pendant crafted in a unique material, transforming a signature design into a collectable piece that reflects the brand's artistry and heritage.
More than seasonal jewellery, these holiday pendants form a timeline of Van Cleef & Arpels’ evolving craftsmanship, each design inspired by nature, colour, and the elegant simplicity of the Alhambra motif.
This guide explores the history of the holiday pendant tradition, what makes each release so sought after, and how the collection has evolved from 2005 to the most recent 2025 pendant. We’ll also look ahead to what collectors may expect for 2026.
Key Insights
💡 Annual Release: Van Cleef & Arpels announces its holiday pendant in September, with the boutique release typically following in October.
💡 Unique Each Year: Every edition features a different material not used in the standard Alhambra collection.
💡 Highly Limited: Quantities are very limited and most pendants are allocated to existing clients before public release.
💡 2025 Edition: This year’s pendant features pink mother-of-pearl, rose gold, and a diamond centre.
💡 Price Range: Recent pendants retail between £5,000–£7,000, with pre-owned pieces ranging from £4,500–£7,500+, depending on rarity.
💡 Where to Buy Past Years: Once sold out at boutiques, holiday pendants can be sourced through the pre-owned market, where rare and discontinued years are regularly available.
Contents
Origins of the Holiday Pendant
Rarity and Availability
Pricing & Investment
Holiday Pendant Timeline (Newest to Oldest)
The 2025 Holiday Pendant
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Holiday Pendant
When Are Holiday Pendants Released?
Explore Our Holiday Pendants
Frequently Asked Questions
The Origins of Van Cleef & Arpels' Holiday Pendants
The tradition of Van Cleef & Arpels' holiday pendants commenced as a homage to the artistry and narrative power of jewellery. This esteemed French jeweller, established in 1896, has always been synonymous with luxury and sophistication, crafting pieces that captivate and exude refinement.
The inception of the holiday pendant series in the late 20th century was driven by a desire to offer something uniquely collectable for the festive season. Annually, each pendant's design draws inspiration from nature, folklore, or astronomical wonders, showcasing the brand's commitment to beauty, enchantment, and the finesse of high jewellery.
Rarity and Availability
One of the defining characteristics of Van Cleef & Arpels’ holiday pendants is their exclusivity. Each edition is produced in limited quantities, though the Maison does not disclose exact production numbers. In recent years, many pendants have been allocated primarily to established clients, meaning that securing one at retail often requires registering interest well in advance or maintaining an ongoing relationship with a boutique sales associate.
Because demand frequently exceeds the number of pieces made available, holiday pendants tend to sell out quickly after their boutique release. Once sold out, they can only be sourced through the pre-owned market.
This limited availability, combined with increasing collector interest, has helped establish the holiday pendant as one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most sought-after annual creations.
Pricing & Investment
Holiday pendant prices have risen steadily over the years, reflecting both material choices and Van Cleef & Arpels’ broader price adjustments across collections. Recent editions have typically retailed between £5,000 and £7,000, depending on the metal and stone. For example, the 2025 pendant, crafted in rose gold with pink mother-of-pearl and a central diamond, retailed at approximately £6,200.
On the pre-owned market, values vary significantly by year, rarity, and condition. Some pendants trade from around £4,500 - £5,000, while more coveted editions regularly achieve £7,500 or more. Earlier releases and pendants featuring rare hardstones or desirable colours often appreciate over time, aided by limited availability and strong global demand.
As a result, many collectors view the holiday pendants not only as meaningful pieces of jewellery, but also as attractive long-term investments within the Van Cleef market.
Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Pendant Timeline
Below is a full timeline of every Van Cleef & Arpels holiday pendant released to date, listed from the most recent to the earliest. Each edition reflects the Maison’s evolving artistry through its choice of materials, colours, and craftsmanship, offering collectors a clear view of how the series has developed over the years.
The 2025 Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Pendant
The 2025 holiday pendant features pink mother-of-pearl set in rose gold, complete with a central diamond. Its soft blush tone and warm metal create one of the most feminine colour palettes in the series. Released in October 2025 following a September announcement, this edition quickly became sought after for its elegant finish and the natural variation found in the stone.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Holiday Pendant
While Van Cleef & Arpels has not yet announced the 2026 holiday pendant, collectors have already begun anticipating what the next edition may bring. Based on the Maison’s long-standing release pattern, the 2026 pendant is expected to follow the familiar schedule of a September announcement and October boutique release, though exact dates will be confirmed closer to launch.
Van Cleef & Arpels rarely repeats materials in consecutive years, and the series typically rotates between hardstones, porcelains, and guilloché finishes. With recent editions featuring silver obsidian (2023), red guilloché (2024), and pink mother-of-pearl (2025), collectors are speculating that 2026 may introduce a new colour family or revisit a material not seen for several years. Possibilities often discussed within the collector community include a return to a richly coloured hardstone or the introduction of a new porcelain shade.
When Are Holiday Pendants Released?
Van Cleef & Arpels typically unveils its holiday pendant in early autumn, with most announcements made in September. The official release usually follows shortly afterwards, most commonly in October, aligning with the start of the festive shopping season.
While exact dates can vary year by year, the pattern has remained consistent:
Announcement: September
Boutique Release: October
Sell-Out: Often within days or weeks, depending on allocations
Because demand is high and many pieces are pre-allocated to existing clients, collectors often register their interest well in advance. By the time the pendant reaches boutiques, availability can be extremely limited, which is why many clients rely on waitlists or established relationships with sales associates to secure one.
Explore Our Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Pendants
From the rich onyx of 2005 to the reflective silver obsidian of 2023, each year unveils a new treasure, steeped in luxury and finesse.
Visit Rich Diamonds to view the available holiday pendants and discover a piece of this storied tradition for yourself. If you don't find the year you're searching for, get in touch. We're constantly sourcing new stock and may help you find that elusive piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get a Van Cleef & Arpels holiday pendant?
Holiday pendants are released in limited quantities and are often allocated to existing clients first. The best way to secure one at retail is to register your interest with a Van Cleef & Arpels boutique ahead of the September announcement. Many collectors also build a purchase history with the brand to increase their chances of receiving an allocation.For those who are unable to obtain a pendant directly from the boutique, the pre-owned market is the most reliable alternative. Specialist retailers such as us here at Rich Diamonds regularly source holiday pendants from a wide range of years, including rare or sold-out editions that are no longer available at retail.
When is the Van Cleef holiday pendant released?
Van Cleef & Arpels typically announces the holiday pendant in September, with the boutique release following in October. Availability is limited, and many years’ editions sell out quickly.
How much is the Van Cleef & Arpels holiday pendant?
Recent holiday pendants retail between £5,000 and £7,000, depending on the material and design. The 2025 edition, crafted with pink mother-of-pearl and rose gold, retailed at approximately £6,200. Pre-owned prices vary by year and rarity, ranging from around £4,500 to over £7,500 for especially sought-after editions.
What is special about the Van Cleef holiday pendant?
Each pendant features the iconic Alhambra motif in a unique material not used in the standard collection. Produced annually in limited quantities, the series has become highly collectable, with many editions appreciating in value over time.
Which years are the rarest?
Rarity can vary, but early editions (such as 2005 onyx) and pendants featuring distinctive or hard-to-source materials are often the most sought after. Limited allocations and strong collector demand mean certain years appear far less frequently on the secondary market.
Does Van Cleef repeat materials?
Rarely. While mother-of-pearl and onyx have appeared in multiple editions, the colour, metal, and execution differ year by year. Most materials used in holiday pendants appear only once, contributing to their collectability.
Will there be a 2026 holiday pendant?
Yes, the 2026 edition is expected, but it has not yet been announced. Based on previous years, the reveal will likely take place in September 2026, with the release following in October 2026. The material remains unconfirmed.
Can I buy holiday pendants pre-owned?
Yes. Many collectors purchase through the pre-owned market once boutique stock has sold out. Pre-owned acquisitions can offer access to rare years, earlier editions, and discontinued materials.