Van Cleef & Arpels introduces fresh items to its clover-themed Alhambra jewellery line
Four new pieces join the French luxury brand’s icon of luck
SINCE its creation in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra collection – distinct for its four-leaf clover design – has become an enduring emblem for the French luxury jeweller. Over the years, the maison has introduced new iterations, playing with material and size, but always in keeping with the line’s original characteristics.
Just launched this month, the latest pieces to join the Alhambra family add another element of fortuity to the good-luck charm that the clover design already represents.
The latest variation combines the lucky red-orange hue of carnelian – a variety of chalcedony associated with the microcrystalline quartz family – with the soft glow of rose gold.
These are deftly employed in four new Alhambra creations comprising an elegant long necklace, matching bracelet, watch and reversible ring.
On the Vintage Alhambra necklace and bracelet as well as the Sweet Alhambra watch, the clover motif alternately appears in carnelian and in the collection’s signature spirograph-like guilloche pattern in rose gold. Each motif is also framed by a beaded gold contour.
Meanwhile, a reversible ring adds a new and interesting touch to the series. The piece features two sides of the clover motif – one made from carnelian and the other, guilloche rose gold set with a diamond in its centre.
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The body of the ring is crafted with three rows of cascading golden beads, specially designed to ensure the stability and proper functioning of the pivoting motif. Different components of each ring are also assembled and adjusted by hand, with a mechanism that creates a smooth and regular rotation.
Comfort is another factor taken into consideration, hence the inside of the ring is shaped such that it gently embraces the finger; while the height of the closed-set diamond is designed to avoid pressing into the skin when worn facing in. The translucent quality of the carnelian also allows light to flow through the stone and reflect off the gold of the underlying motif, such that it appears to glow.
Just going by the ring alone, it does look like the jeweller has a winner on its finger.
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