The storied jewelry house of Van Cleef & Arpels

From now until Feb. 15, visitors to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana can judge the staying power of this piece and others. “A Quest for Beauty: The Art of Van Cleef & Arpels,” an exhibit of 200 pieces from the jeweler’s 700-piece private collection as well as a few items loaned by their owners, contains jewelry and art dating from the early 20th century and continuing into the 21st. Among them are pieces worn by some of the world’s most stylish women, including the duchess of Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor, Princesses Grace and Charlene of Monaco, heiress Betty Hutton, opera star Maria Callas and Princess Soraya of Iran.