Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates 50 years of its Alhambra motif

IN 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels  unveiled its first Alhambra long necklace. Inspired by the four-leaf clover shape, the iconic piece of jewellery for the past 50 years has been a symbol not only of luck and protection, but importantly, of ageless femininity and elegance. This year, the Maison celebrates the collection’s 50th anniversary with several unique pieces, featuring dazzling techniques and materials.

Vintage Alhambra necklace and bracelet, 10 motifs yellow gold, blue agate

The blue agate, which first appeared in the 1989 collection, is returning in this year’s Vintage Alhambra necklace and bracelet, gracefully embellished in yellow gold to achieve this subtle radiance and soft blue glow. The pieces are celebrated in the second edition of  Journey of Luck film, made in collaboration with Franco-Turkish director duo Burcu & Geoffrey, places iconic jewellery pieces inside a magical wintry universe.

Setting the blue agate

Another addition to Vintage Alhambra are the guilloché gold pieces, crafted using the Maison’s unique engraving technique. Traditionally used to adorn watch dials and powder boxes, guillochage creates a subtle relief effect, an ornamentation that causes light to dance around the piece in a captivating daintiness.

Vintage Alhambra necklace, bracelet and earrings Guilloché yellow gold

Brought to life by the expertise of their lapidaries, jewellers, stone-setters and polishers, Van Cleef & Arpels’ delicate pieces boast the most refined excellence of craft. The limited edition gold mother-of-pearl pendant, showcased for the first time, like anything demonstrates the mastery of the Maison. Coming from the warm waters of the Australian seas, this material is produced naturally inside the seashells, enriched with a remarkable gold colour and satiny surface.

Vintage Alhambra pendant, limited edition Yellow gold, gold mother-of-pearl, diamond

Embellished with a sparkle of rough diamond at its centre, the mother-of-pearl necklace can also be personalised with an engraving on the back of the piece, becoming a reflection of the owner’s personal story and heightening the exclusivity of the piece.

by Olga Kuznietsova

Van Cleef & Arpels 9 New Bond Street, London W1S 3SW

 

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