Ahoy, me hearties! Aren’t these beauties
Highlights from Van Cleef & Arpels’ playful yet very technical collection
HIGH jewellery, despite its name, need not be stuffy at all. Case in point – Treasure Island by Van Cleef & Arpels, the maison’s latest collection.
A tribute to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel of the same name, the imaginative jewellery designs follow a tale that takes us on a pirate adventure across three chapters – from traversing the high seas and surveying a far-flung island to tracking down treasure.
Whimsical, colourful and joyful, the collection’s necklaces, clips, bracelets, earrings and rings are as playful as they are precious.
But while you don’t need to hunt these treasures down using a map with a spot marked X, do note that several pieces have already gone into someone’s coffer.
Chapter 1: The adventure at sea
Hispaniola clip
Named after the ship in the Treasure Island novel, the diamond-covered sails of this brooch look like they are swelling from the wind, while its golden hull replicates the traditional broad-plank construction of the era’s frigates.
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Ecume Mysterieuse necklace
This marvellous necklace references the marine genre of painting, which was very popular in the 19th century when Stevenson was writing Treasure Island. The force of the ocean and its currents and waves are interpreted via sweeps of diamonds against Mystery Set sapphires – a technique that completely conceals the mounting.
Pirate clips
Sea-faring scoundrels turn into graceful Prince Charmings in the maison’s take on pirates. These expressive characters pose with confidence and flair, their gemstone-studded silhouettes carefully worked to create realism and drama.
Chapter 2: Exploring the island
Palmeraie merveilleuse necklace and clip with detachable pendant
A crown of palm leaves form this fully-articulated necklace where sweeping curves of gold and diamonds convey a sense of movement. Meanwhile, a glorious emerald cabochon weighing 47.93 carats sits on a detachable pendant that can be attached to a clip.
Coquillage Mysterieux clip
From the front, this precious sea shell sparkles with diamonds and glistens with Mystery Set rubies. Behind, however, lies a surprise – a fairy fashioned from white gold, an emerald in hand as she steps on a white cultured pearl backed by gold coral reef.
Coquilles Mysterieuses bracelet
The ornamental Rococo style popular in the 18th century informs the design of this bracelet, where buff-topped Mystery Set rubies form the shape of sea shells, complete with scalloped gold borders and diamond accents.
Chapter 3: The treasure hunt
Carte au tresor clip
A golden parchment, rolled up and tied with a twisted cord from which two mobile tassels dangle. This clip, with its supple folds, hand-engraved map and a ruby to mark the location of hidden treasure, is a fine example of great craftsmanship.
Coffre precieux ring
A treasure chest of a ring, this piece is designed to highlight the stones traditionally seen as “precious” – diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Sitting atop the golden ring is a 14.32-carat, cushion-cut sapphire, surrounded by the other gemstones in a layout that’s reminiscent of a treasure chest lid.
Figuras bracelet
Joy, amazement, laughter and surprise – these are just some of the amusing expressions on this bracelet, which also features different diamond cuts to achieve varying countenances. These golden faces are inspired by pre-Colombian jewellery, and evoke the archetypal figurines used by the Olmecs – the earliest known Mesoamerican civilisation – as offerings to the gods.
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