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Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant vs Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant if you want the iconic lucky clover. Buy the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard instead if you want a delicate daily diamond.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant
Buy

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant

Best for Clover pendant

Typically $3,500–$4,800

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard
Buy

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard

Best for Delicate diamonds

Typically $1,400–$4,500

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureVan Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra PendantTiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$3,500–$4,800$1,400–$4,500
Best forClover pendantDelicate diamonds
Key featureSingle clover pendantBezel diamond station necklace
Metal18k gold18k gold or platinum
StonesMother-of-pearl or onyxDiamond
Size42 cm chain41 cm
ClosureLobsterSpring ring
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Metal

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: 18k gold; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: 18k gold or platinum.

Stones

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: Mother-of-pearl or onyx; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: Diamond.

Size

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: 42 cm chain; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: 41 cm.

Closure

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: Lobster; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: Spring ring.

Why buy it

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: single clover pendant; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: bezel diamond station necklace.

Made for

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: clover pendant; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: delicate diamonds.

Usual price

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant: $3,500–$4,800; Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: $1,400–$4,500.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant if you

  • you want the iconic lucky clover
  • value iconic
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard if you

  • you want a delicate daily diamond
  • value delicate
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best fine jewelry necklaces.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Strand

Mikimoto · Fine jewelry necklaces

Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Strand

Buy it if you want a lifetime pearl necklace.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The pearl strand
Typical price
$4,000–$12,000

Pros

  • Superb pearls
  • Timeless

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant Malachite

Van Cleef & Arpels · Fine jewelry necklaces

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant Malachite

Buy it if you want colour.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Green clover
Typical price
$3,600–$4,900

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant or Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: which should I buy?

Buy the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant if you want the iconic lucky clover. Buy the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard instead if you want a delicate daily diamond.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant usually costs $3,500–$4,800 and the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard $1,400–$4,500. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant or Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard: the full reasoning

Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant or Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard? Both are strong fine jewelry necklaces, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant if you want the iconic lucky clover, and buy the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard if you want a delicate daily diamond. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant wins on single clover pendant. The Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard answers with bezel diamond station necklace. Metal: 18k gold on the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant, 18k gold or platinum on the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard. Stones: Mother-of-pearl or onyx on the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant, Diamond on the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard. Size: 42 cm chain on the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant, 41 cm on the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard. Closure: Lobster on the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant, Spring ring on the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard.

Reasons to buy the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant

Iconic, Holds value. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $3,500–$4,800. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant review.

Reasons to buy the Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard

Delicate, Versatile. What to accept: tiny diamonds. Usual price: $1,400–$4,500. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best fine jewelry necklaces has every other piece with its own call. Chain length: 40–45 cm sits at the collarbone; layering needs 5 cm steps.

Also consider the Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Strand ($4,000–$12,000): akoya pearl strand. Buy it if you want a lifetime pearl necklace.

Also consider the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant Malachite ($3,600–$4,900): malachite pendant. Buy it if you want colour.

Buyer tip

A small motif pendant in 18k gold is the most worn piece of fine jewelry; buy that before a statement necklace.

Buying in Europe: gold jewelry in the EU and UK is often hallmarked (750 for 18k gold). Ask for the hallmark and, for any diamond over about 0.3 carats, a grading report from GIA, HRD or IGI.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.