HSH Princess Grace of Monaco, Romy Schnelder and Francoise Hardy photographed wearing Alhambra in 1979, 1974 and 1974, respectively
In 1968, French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels introduced to the world the Alhambra collection. Centred on the motif of the lucky four leaf clover, the charming collection embodied Van Cleef’s timeless elegance and savoir-faire, while also establishing an icon over the next fifty years.
In 2018, the maison now celebrates half a century of Alhambra with new models to be added to the permanent collection. Fans of Van Cleef & Arpels will recognise pieces such as the vintage Alhambra 20-motif long necklace or two-motif dangling earrings—however now in all four new combinations of precious stones and metal.
Preview the new pieces here:
Gray Mother-Of-Pearl And Diamonds With Pink Gold
Vintage Alhambra 5-motif bracelet, Vintage Alhambra 20-motif necklace and Magic Alhambra 2-motfi earrings in pink gold, gray mother-of-pearl and diamonds
This soft and elegant combination of pink gold, gray mother-of-pearl and diamonds is embraced in the form of a Vintage Alhambra long necklace, a corresponding five-motif bracelet and earrings in the standing collection. Gray mother-of-pearl is one of Van Cleef’s favourite materials, sourced from the French Polynesia where it is known for its lovely silverish gray colour and subtle iridescence. Combined with the warmth and femininity of the pink gold and the universal beauty of diamonds, the gray mother-of pearl set captures a romantic and gentle persona, a keeper.
Onyx And Diamonds With White Gold
Vintage Alhambra 5-motif bracele in white gold, onyx and diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpel makes sure all tastes and personalities have a chance at luscious luck with the combination of white gold, onyx and diamonds, available as a Vintage Alhambra necklace and bracelet. Switching out warmth with the cool white gold, this set’s highlight is the Brasilian onyx, which stands out for its mesmerising darkness and mirror-like reflective quality. This onyx set suits those who appreciate a bolder and stronger look when it comes to classic jewellery.
Lapis Lazuli And Diamonds With Yellow Gold
Vintage Alhambra 5-motif bracelet and 20-motif necklace in yellow gold, lapis lazul and diamonds
Symbolic to ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, lapis lazuli, or the “blue stone”, was historically described as the star-studded heavens and subsequently used on objects of high value or worth, such as those meant for royalty—now doesn’t that sound supreme for something to have around your neck and wrist, accompanied by gold and diamonds?
Rock Crystal And Diamonds With Yellow Gold
Vintage Alhambra 20-motif necklace in yellow gold, rock crystals and diamonds
For a pure look, the rock crystal set with yellow gold is simplicity at its finest. Rock crystal is a colourless quartz that resembles the appearance of ice due to its limpidness. Combining this “ice” crystal with its augmented doppelganger, diamonds, the final yellow gold jewellery is a statement of classic beauty in the purest sense.
