Van Cleef vs. Kendra Scott: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Van Cleef & Arpels is a high-jewelry house that represents the peak of luxury, creating investment-grade pieces from precious metals and gemstones with prices starting in the thousands. In contrast, Kendra Scott offers accessible, trendy jewelry known for its colorful semi-precious stones and modern designs, with most items priced well under $300.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the brand that's right for your style and budget.

Van Cleef & Arpels: The Epitome of Luxury and Artistry

Founded in Paris in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels is a world-renowned name in luxury jewelry, synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and storied heritage. The brand caters to an affluent clientele of collectors and high-net-worth individuals who seek heirloom-quality pieces that function as both personal adornments and valuable assets. Its designs are often inspired by nature, featuring iconic motifs like the four-leaf clover of the Alhambra collection.

• Product mix: Fine jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and watches. The collections prominently feature precious materials like diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and mother-of-pearl set in 18k gold. Famous pieces include the Alhambra clover, Frivole flowers, and Perlée beaded gold designs.
• Price point: High luxury. Prices begin at several thousand dollars for simple pieces and quickly rise into the tens and hundreds of thousands for more intricate creations. An Alhambra pendant, for example, can range from $5,000 to over $20,000 depending on the materials used.
• Quality: Exceptional and investment-grade. Van Cleef & Arpels uses only high-grade 18k gold or platinum and ethically sourced precious gemstones, meticulously selected for their quality and brilliance. The craftsmanship involves sophisticated setting and polishing techniques passed down through generations.
• Aesthetic: Classic, refined, delicate, and timeless. The brand's style is rooted in poetic themes and artistry, creating pieces that are sophisticated and elegant.
• Shopping experience: Highly exclusive and personalized. Purchases are typically made at luxurious brand boutiques worldwide, where clients receive concierge-level service.

Van Cleef & Arpels is for those purchasing a significant, lifelong piece of jewelry as an investment, an heirloom, or simply as a symbol of sophisticated luxury.

Shop Van Cleef & Arpels: vancleefarpels.com

Kendra Scott: Accessible and Modern Jewelry

Founded in 2002 in Austin, Texas, Kendra Scott built a brand around the philosophy of "affordable luxury." The company is loved for its vibrant, fashionable designs and customizable options that make jewelry fun and accessible. Targeting a broad audience of women looking for stylish, high-quality pieces for everyday wear or occasions, Kendra Scott bridges the gap between fast-fashion accessories and expensive fine jewelry.

• Product mix: A wide range of contemporary jewelry and accessories, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The brand is known for its signature geometric shapes, colorful semi-precious stones like drusy and mother-of-pearl, and extensive options for personalization through its Color Bar where customers can design their own pieces.
• Price point: Affordable and accessible. The majority of pieces are priced between $50 and $300, making it easy to build a collection or find a perfect gift without a major financial commitment.
• Quality: Good for its price point. Kendra Scott uses materials like gold vermeil, 14k gold plating over brass, and genuine semi-precious gemstones. The pieces are designed to be durable for regular "real life" wear, but they are not made from the precious materials of a fine jewelry house.
• Aesthetic: Modern, colorful, and playful. Designs are often bold, trend-aware, and built for layering and personal expression.
• Shopping experience: Welcoming and engaging. Both online and in-store, the experience is community-focused, with friendly staff and interactive elements like the Color Bar.

Kendra Scott is ideal for trend-conscious shoppers who want versatile, colorful, and customizable jewelry for daily wear and gift-giving at an accessible price.

Shop Kendra Scott: kendrascott.com

Van Cleef vs. Kendra Scott Comparison

Price & Investment Value

This is the most significant difference between the two brands. Van Cleef & Arpels is in the high luxury market. Their jewelry is an investment, pieces often retain or even appreciate in value over time due to their coveted brand status, precious materials, and timeless appeal. Expect to pay a minimum of $2,000 for even the simplest item and five figures for their most iconic necklaces and bracelets.

Kendra Scott operates in the fashion and mid-range jewelry space. A piece is a fashion purchase, not a financial investment. At $50 to $300, the value is in the design, daily wearability, and enjoyment the piece provides. It allows you to participate in trends and add color to your wardrobe without the high cost of fine jewelry.

Quality & Materials

The materials directly reflect the price point. Van Cleef exclusively uses 18k solid gold or platinum and high-quality precious gemstones like diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. Each piece is perfected with meticulous finishing and setting techniques, designed to last for generations.

Kendra Scott primarily uses a brass base plated with 14k gold, rhodium, or rose gold. They are well-known for their beautiful and colorful semi-precious stones, like quartz, agate, and turquoise. While the plating is durable for everyday fashion jewelry, it is not solid gold and may show wear over many years, unlike a solid gold Van Cleef piece.

Style & Aesthetic

Van Cleef’s aesthetic is delicate, classic, and consistently rooted in its brand heritage. Signature motifs like the Alhambra clover are instantly recognizable symbols of understated elegance. These are formal pieces and special occasion staples that are timeless and bypass trends.

Kendra Scott’s style is bold, modern, and versatile. The designs are contemporary, featuring geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and options for personalization. The looks are designed for everyday life, from the office to a night out, and are often easily layered to create a statement.

Fit & Sizing

Van Cleef jewelry often features standard fine jewelry sizing, with some necklaces and bracelets offering slight adjustability. For their high-jewelry creations, a more bespoke, tailored fit is often part of the purchasing process. Their pieces feel delicate and refined when worn.

Kendra Scott emphasizes ease of wear and gift-giving, so many pieces, especially bracelets, include adjustable features like sliding closures. Their rings are offered in a standard range of sizes. Overall, their designs are built for everyday comfort and practicality.

Shopping Experience

A visit to a Van Cleef boutique is a luxury event. You are met with top-tier personal service in an opulent environment. It's a high-touch, exclusive experience for a major purchase.

Shopping at Kendra Scott is fun, bright, and social. Stores are designed to be approachable and engaging, encouraging customers to try on many different pieces and create custom designs at the brand’s signature Color Bar.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands are leaders in their respective categories, but they serve completely different needs and customers.

Choose Van Cleef & Arpels if:

• You are celebrating a major life milestone like an anniversary, a significant birthday, or a career achievement.
• You are a collector of fine jewelry and see your purchases as long-term assets.
• You value brand heritage, exclusivity, and the highest level of craftsmanship.
• Your personal style is classic, timeless, and understatedly elegant.

Choose Kendra Scott if:

• You want stylish, colorful, and high-quality jewelry for everyday wear.
• You are looking for an affordable yet thoughtful and personal gift for birthdays or holidays.
• You enjoy creating custom pieces and designing jewelry that matches your unique style.
• You want to build a versatile jewelry collection that allows you to easily mix, match, and layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Van Cleef or Kendra Scott more expensive?

Van Cleef & Arpels is drastically more expensive. Their pieces start at several thousand dollars, whereas nearly all of Kendra Scott’s jewelry is priced under $300.

Which brand has better quality?

Van Cleef & Arpels has far superior quality because it is a true fine jewelry brand using solid 18k gold, platinum, and precious gemstones. Kendra Scott offers excellent quality for its price point as a fashion jewelry brand, but the materials (plated metals) are not comparable to fine jewelry.

Is Van Cleef jewelry a good investment?

Generally, yes. Due to their iconic status, use of precious materials, and strong demand in the resale market, many pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels hold their value well and certain iconic collections, like the Alhambra, can appreciate over time.

Is Kendra Scott jewelry made with real gold?

Most of Kendra Scott's jewelry is not solid gold, it's made from a base metal (usually brass) that is plated with a thick layer of 14k gold, rhodium, or rose gold. This helps keep the pieces affordable. They do offer a demi-fine and fine jewelry line with sterling silver and 14k gold vermeil at a higher price point.

Which is better for a graduation gift?

For most budgets, Kendra Scott is an excellent choice for a graduation gift. A piece like the Elisa pendant necklace is a popular and meaningful gift that is both stylish and affordable. Van Cleef would be an exceptionally extravagant graduation gift reserved for very significant occasions and budgets.

What is the most popular piece from Kendra Scott?

The Elisa Pendant Necklace in its various stone variations is by far Kendra Scott's most iconic and best-selling piece. It is often seen as a staple for the brand's fans.

What is the most iconic Van Cleef collection?

The Alhambra collection, featuring the four-leaf clover motif made from materials like mother-of-pearl, malachite, and onyx, is Van Cleef’s most famous and sought-after design for over 50 years.

Can you shower or work out in Kendra Scott jewelry?

It's not recommended. To preserve the gold plating and protect the semi-precious stones, you should remove Kendra Scott jewelry before swimming, showering, applying lotions, or working out to prevent tarnishing and damage.