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The simple elegance of the Alhambra has allowed it to serve as a canvas upon which Van Cleef & Arpels exercises its creativity
In 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the Alhambra long necklace. Conceived as a lucky charm, it comprised 20 four-leaf clover motifs rendered in creased yellow gold, each fringed with yellow beads. This didn’t just establish the aesthetics of the Alhambra collection, but also created a beloved line that remains among the maison’s most popular collections today.
The elegance of the Alhambra has served as a canvas upon which Van Cleef & Arpels exercises its creativity. From the play with materials to subtle design tweaks, these creations have always reflected the brand’s joie de vivre, as well as the wider zeitgeist. The latest pieces are no exception. This time, the focus is on exploring the different textures of light and colour through the combination of rose gold and carnelian.
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Above Model wearing Van Cleef & Arpels' Vintage Alhambra reversible ring and bracelet
Above The Alhambra necklace
Model wearing Van Cleef & Arpels' Vintage Alhambra reversible ring and bracelet
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The highlight among the novelties is arguably the new Alhambra reversible ring—a first for the line. Here, the familiar motif is executed with two contrasting faces. On one side, the warmth of rose gold is enhanced by a sunburst guilloché pattern and a single diamond set at its centre, with the materials and surfaces catching the light in their various ways. On the other, polished carnelian offers a delightful contrast with its deeply saturated yet translucent surface.
The Alhambra reversible ring expresses a newfound duality that extends its versatility, while also paying tribute to the transformable jewellery the maison is long known for. At the same time, it showcases Van Cleef & Arpels attention to detail. Note how the beads around the motif—a signature for the line—extends to the rest of the ring a la the granulation technique, or how the inner section of the ring has been carefully shaped for comfort. This even extends to the swivelling mechanism, which has been carefully developed for pleasing tactility.
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Above Van Cleef & Arpels' vintage Alhambra reversible ring in guilloché rose gold, carnelian and diamond
Van Cleef & Arpels' vintage Alhambra reversible ring in guilloché rose gold, carnelian and diamond
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Complementing the new reversible ring are three other pieces. The Vintage Alhambra 5-motif bracelet and Vintage Alhambra 20-motif long necklace are more traditional iterations of the line’s jewellery, with the motifs alternating between rose gold and carnelian. They are, perhaps, best worn as a set, although either would do perfectly well on its own. To maintain the visual harmony that defines the Alhambra line, the rose gold motifs are each adorned with a single gold bead at their centre, in lieu of a diamond.
The Sweet Alhambra watch rounds things up with a “9-motif” bracelet that also alternates between rose gold and carnelian, with one oversized motif actually housing a quartz movement and functioning as a timepiece. This may not be a bona fide secret watch—yet another Van Cleef & Arpels signature—but it’s a classy, elegant take on a concept that harks back to the early 20th century, and one that the female watch connoisseur will definitely appreciate.
Above Modern touches for the modern woman
Above Vintage Alhambra bracelet
Modern touches for the modern woman
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The new Alhambra pieces don’t just demonstrate the creativity, craftsmanship and expertise at Van Cleef & Arpels, but also serve as a call to the modern woman. Whichever novelty one fancies, each is a celebration of the timeless style and savoir-faire.
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