Cover Van Cleef & Arpels unveils new Alhambra creations featuring chalcedony and grey mother-of-pearl
Van Cleef & Arpels unveils new Alhambra creations featuring chalcedony and grey mother-of-pearl
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An enduring symbol of luck since 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra collection enters a new chapter with its grey mother-of-pearl and chalcedony novelties
What does luck look like in the world of jewellery? For Van Cleef & Arpels, it has long taken the form of the four‐leaf clover, the emblem at the heart of the maison’s Alhambra collection. Since its creation in 1968, the motif has become synonymous with elegance and optimism, its beaded contours and harmonious proportions enduring through decades of reinterpretation.
Now, the popular collection welcomes subtle yet striking novelties, featuring grey mother-of-pearl and chalcedony. With its soft iridescence and silvered depth, the grey mother-of-pearl organic material adds a contemplative, luminous dimension to the Alhambra motif, inviting new ways to wear the signature charm. In keeping with the maison’s philosophy of versatile jewellery, grey mother‐of‐pearl graces transformable long necklaces and reversible rings, each meticulously crafted to harmonise beauty, technical mastery, and effortless adaptability. The maison also introduces creations that blend the bluish nuances of chalcedony with the brilliance of white gold.
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Above The Magic Alhambra transformable long necklace in rose gold set with grey and white mother-of-pearl
The Magic Alhambra transformable long necklace in rose gold set with grey and white mother-of-pearl
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First introduced in 2006, the Magic Alhambra line brought an inspired sense of movement and modernity to the clover motif. Its
signature asymmetrical arrangement of different‐sized motifs lends dynamism to each piece, a quality that is now extended to Van Cleef & Arpels’ new transformable long necklaces. For the first time, these necklaces can be worn in multiple ways: as a long strand, doubled around the neck, or even wrapped as a bracelet, thanks to a discreet detachable element. These necklaces are offered in a rose gold variation featuring grey and white mother-of-pearl, and a white gold variation featuring chalcedony and white mother-of-pearl.
Achieving the perfect balance for each configuration required careful calibration: the sequence of motifs, the spacing of chain links, and the fall of the central motif were all meticulously considered. Hidden clasps ensure that the transformations appear seamless, allowing the wearer to shift their style effortlessly.
The Magic Alhambra transformable long necklace in rose gold set with grey and white mother-of-pearl can be worn doubled around the neck
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The necklaces juxtapose the cool radiance of grey mother-of-pearl with the warmth of rose gold, as well as blends the bluish nuances of chalcedony with the brilliance of white gold. Guilloché patterns trace subtle, radiating lines across the motifs, catching the light and accentuating the depth of the material. Rounded, beaded contours echo the Alhambra’s emblematic silhouette, giving structure and a tactile sense of elegance to each creation.
The maison’s concept of effortless versatility in the Alhambra extends to the fingers. The new Vintage Alhambra reversible rings combine mesmerising grey mother‐of‐ pearl with diamonds and precious gold. On one side of the Alhambra motif is grey mother-of-pearl, which flips to reveal a sparkling diamond set within a rose‐gold guilloché backdrop. A chalcedony version is also available, where the other surface reveals a diamond that shimmers in the light, intensified by the fine lines of the guilloché white gold. The rings’ design considers both form and comfort: three graduated rows of golden beads frame the motif, while a demi-jonc interior, where the inside of the band sits flat against the finger, ensures a comfortable fit. The motif rotates smoothly and evenly, enabling the wearer to switch sides easily and embodying the Alhambra’s enduring ethos: beauty that adapts to the wearer’s mood, style and occasion.
Above Vintage Alhambra reversible ring in guilloché white gold set with chalcedony and a diamond
Above Vintage Alhambra reversible ring in guilloché white gold set with chalcedony and a diamond
Vintage Alhambra reversible ring in guilloché white gold set with chalcedony and a diamond
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Central to the maison’s approach is an unwavering attention to materials and technique. Grey mother‐of‐pearl is prized for the depth and subtle iridescence of its silvered tones, while white mother-of-pearl offers luminous clarity. Chalcedony is selected for its translucent material and the softness of its nuances, sometimes interspersed with white, in tones ranging from grey to intense blue and lavender. Each motif undergoes a precise sequence of cutting, polishing, and setting, culminating in a beaded frame that accentuates its natural beauty. The pieces are then mounted on gold, with prongs folded back to preserve the integrity of the stones. Final polishing enhances the interplay of light across the motifs, ensuring that every creation embodies both elegance and technical mastery. This collection also includes a Sweet Alhambra watch, which for the first time features guilloché white gold alternating with motifs of chalcedony and diamonds. The striations of the chalcedony converse harmoniously with those of the guilloché, creating subtle graphic effects.
Since its inception, the Alhambra motif has embodied luck in the maison’s own words. Jacques Arpels, nephew of Estelle Arpels—wife of founder Alfred Van Cleef— would present four‐leaf clovers to employees along with the poem Don’t Quit by Edgar A Guest, a gentle reminder of hope and perseverance. Over the decades, the motif has evolved in size, material and function, yet remains instantly recognisable.
Above Sweet Alhambra watch in guilloché white gold set with chalcedony and diamonds
Sweet Alhambra watch in guilloché white gold set with chalcedony and diamonds
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With these 2025 novelties, a century‐old tradition of transformable jewellery continues at Van Cleef & Arpels. Clasps, hinges and mechanisms are designed to be robust yet discreet, ensuring that each piece maintains its aesthetic integrity while offering versatility. It is a synthesis of ingenuity and elegance, and a hallmark of the maison’s approach to jewellery. Van Cleef & Arpels once again demonstrates that the Alhambra motif is more than a symbol of luck: it is a canvas for exploration, a celebration of craftsmanship, and a versatile companion for modern life. Grey mother‐of‐pearl adds a nuanced, contemporary note, proving that elegance, like luck, is timeless.
Credits
Images: Van Cleef & Arpels
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
