In 1968, the Maison created a true icon of luck: Alhambra. The first long necklace was born, combining yellow gold with the pure lines of the Alhambra motif.

A symbol of harmony edged with golden pearls, it was an immediate success, establishing itself as a token of luck and emblem of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Day after day, Van Cleef & Arpels’ collections make luck sparkle like so many precious wishes. Alhambra – a true icon of the Maison – accompanies women with a wealth of associations.

Fluid and mobile, playful yet refined, it adapts to any occasion with the same timeless elegance. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, earrings and watches combine to form new harmonies, inspired by their wearer’s imagination.

“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck,” as Jacques Arpels – Estelle Arpels’ nephew – liked to say. Always attentive to luck’s manifestations, this born collector enjoyed sharing positive maxims and lucky gifts.

After gathering four-leaf clovers in his garden, he presented them to his colleagues accompanied by the poem « Don’t Quit » to encourage them to keep their hopes up.

Throughout its history, Van Cleef & Arpels has placed special emphasis on luck. It may appear in an instant of emotion, in a wondrous vision: in the bloom of a spring flower, in the grace of a butterfly, in an enchanting encounter.

Whether drawn from heaven or earth, from real or mythical universes, symbols of luck are ever present in the Maison’s imagination. Ladybirds, four-leaf clovers, fairies and unicorns provide a poetic vision of the world, typical of Van Cleef & Arpels.

- Harmony and Serenity -
This stone’s name comes from the Greek Khalkêdon, refering to the city of Chalcedony that stood opposite Byzantium in what is now Turkey.

A micro-crystalline quartz, blue chalcedony suggests harmony and serenity with its gentle shades and translucent material, sometimes festooned with white. In the 17th century, the physician Anselme Boece de Boot recommended it as a cure for melancholy and hoarseness. It is therefore considered a stone for attorneys and orators, with the power to loosen the tongue.

The chalcedony used for the Alhambra collection comes mainly from Namibia. It is notable for its delicate gradations of color and the quality of its sheen.

- Joy and Happiness -
An orangey-red variety of chalcedony, carnelian was one of the first stones used in jewelry: it was present in various cultures, from Crete to Central Asia and the Orient.

The burial robe of Pu-Abi, a Sumerian queen of the third millennium BC, was adorned with carnelian decorations. The Egyptians considered it a symbol of life and believed that it assisted the soul in its passage into the afterlife.

The warm tones of carnelian also suggest joy and happiness. Mainly from Brazil, the stones used in the Maison’s creations are chosen for their deep and consistent color.

- True love -
The very word diamond – from the Greek adamas, meaning invincible – is enough to call this mineral’s extraordinary properties to mind. A crystal of pure carbon, its hardness, transparency and sparkle have fascinated mankind across civilizations and throughout history.

Whether as a symbol of heroism or as a talisman to fend off danger, reconcile couples or bring a long life, this precious stone has often been associated with protection, purity and immortality. A diamond is offered as a token of undying love.

The Maison selects its diamonds according to the strictest criteria, only using stones whose color is rated at D, E or F with a clarity rating of IF, VVSI or VVS2. They offer Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations their exceptional brilliance.

- Prosperity -
Its name comes from the Latin word lapis, meaning stone and the Arab azul (blue). Described in ancient times as a sky studded with stars, the stone captivates with its intense blue sparkling with pyrite.

In Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was used to craft lavish objects (cylinder-seals, animal statuettes) intended for royalty; it is also found sculpted on Etruscan rings.

The stones chosen by Van Cleef & Arpels (principally from Afghanistan) are remarkable for their pure and intense color, along with their perfect sheen.

- Friendship and Generosity -
Prized as a gemstone for several millennia, turquoise first arrived in Europe during the Renaissance era via Turkey, hence its name derived from the French for « Turkish stone ».

Throughout history, its distinctive shade – recalling the sea or sky – has fueled its reputation as a sacred or protective gem. Turquoise was used for royal ornaments in Egypt and for Aztec religious objects and jewels, as well as being set into seals to bring prosperity.

In Europe it is offered as a token of affection, with its color reminiscent of the forget‑me‑not flower. Turquoise is therefore traditionally associated with generosity and friendship.

The turquoise used in Van Cleef & Arpels’ collections comes from America and is chosen for its perfectly uniform blue hue.