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Since 1968, the Alhambra motif, drawing inspiration from the four-leaf clover, has been an iconic aesthetic of Van Cleef & Arpels, celebrating luck through a constant reinvention of jewelry and watchmaking creations.
Witness the enchanting interplay of intense reflections in guilloché rose gold and dazzling nuances of carnelian, giving birth to four exquisite Alhambra creations ablaze with tender harmonies. Among these treasures is a captivating reversible ring that allows the wearer to indulge in their own fancy with these extraordinary materials. A first-of-its-kind design within the collection, it embodies the Maison’s tradition of versatility and showcases its distinct emblem.
AN UNPARALLELED ALLIANCE OF ICONIC MATERIALS
From its inception, the Alhambra collection has captivated as a hallmark of Van Cleef & Arpels, offering elegant variations that beautifully accentuate precious moments and materials. Today, the motifs harmoniously alternate on a Vintage Alhambra bracelet, a long necklace, and a Sweet Alhambra watch, blending the soft glow of rose gold with the warm hues of carnelian. As a cherished material, carnelian elevates each piece with its mesmerizing red-orange nuances, while the guilloché effect on rose gold unveils tender and shifting reflections, an iconic signature since 2018. The motif’s sunbeam-like streaks impart a subtle relief to the precious metal’s surface, creating an intense whirlwind of light that captivates the gaze.
Reflecting the Maison’s savoir-faire, an elegant beaded contour gracefully surrounds the symbols, emphasizing Van Cleef & Arpels’ remarkable craftsmanship. The guilloché-gold motifs are accentuated by a central golden bead, enhancing their soft glow and timeless allure.
WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS EXPERTISE
The Alhambra collection, embodying freedom and diversity, has consistently reimagined the art of wearing jewelry since its inception in the late 1960s. Continuing this tradition, the collection now welcomes an unprecedented design: a reversible ring adorned with two distinct materials—carnelian and guilloché rose gold set with a diamond. Meticulously designed with a body of three cascading rows of golden beads, the ring ensures stability and flawless functionality of the pivoting motif. Perfecting this intricate mechanism required extensive research and development, resulting in a smooth and regular rotation that exudes elegance. Each ring is meticulously assembled and adjusted by hand, representing the Maison’s dedication to excellence.
Attention to detail, a hallmark of Van Cleef & Arpels, extends to ensuring perfect comfort. The ring’s interior body features a golden half-bangle that gently embraces the finger. The closed-set diamond on the guilloché motif is thoughtfully designed to avoid discomfort and preserve the stone’s radiance. Lastly, the translucent quality of carnelian allows light to permeate through, creating an inner glow that enhances its beauty. Every manufacturing step intertwines, resulting in rings that effortlessly combine jewelry elegance and versatility, embodying the Maison’s tradition of transformable pieces.
EXCELLENCE EPITOMIZED BY A HIGH JEWELRY MAISON
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, the Alhambra collection exemplifies the consummate expertise of a High Jewelry Maison. From lapidaries and jewelers to stone-setters and polishers, each piece showcases a mastery of diverse skills. Adhering to the Maison’s high standards, the ornamental stone motifs undergo meticulous cutting, polishing, and careful matching. Like the guilloché gold symbols, they radiate within the elegant beaded mount, merging seamlessly into their golden setting with precisely folded prongs. A final polish accentuates the beauty of the composition, ensuring a splendorous finish.
THE SPLENDOR OF EXQUISITE MATERIALS
Van Cleef & Arpels turns to nature, the ultimate source of inspiration and the finest materials, such as carnelian, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, onyx, chalcedony, malachite, snakewood, and more. These resources, alongside diamonds, are meticulously selected according to the highest standards of quality, with only 1% of materials deemed worthy of Alhambra creations.
CARNELIAN
Carnelian, a variety of chalcedony within the quartz family, is a prized gemstone meticulously chosen by Van Cleef & Arpels. Only a fraction of rough stones meets the Maison’s standards, ensuring the most exquisite materials with vivid colors ranging from deep red to shimmering orange. Lapidaries expertly craft harmonious compositions, perfectly matched in hue and opacity. The Maison’s commitment to achieving the highest level of polishing brings out the full beauty of each stone.
ROSE GOLD
Rose gold has adorned Van Cleef & Arpels creations since the 1920s, gracing powder compacts, Minaudières, bracelets, and watches of modernist inspiration in the 1930s. Over the years, rose gold has intertwined with white and yellow gold, creating abstract motifs beloved from the 1970s to the 1990s. The Maison utilizes a gold, copper, and silver alloy specially designed to preserve the beauty, color, and luster of its creations over time. The guilloché aesthetic captures and reflects light with stirring intensity, infusing the pieces with a warm radiance.
