Materials

Alhambra collection in Sèvres porcelain

The Alhambra® collection in Sèvres porcelain combines the art of ceramics with the jewelry-making expertise of Van Cleef & Arpels. The Maison’s iconic motifs are embellished with the distinctive bleu de Sèvres hue, a signature of the French porcelain manufactory.

    Setting the color on the Sèvres porcelain, Van Cleef & Arpels

    Setting the color on the Sèvres porcelain

The porcelain is polished by hand for a smooth, satiny finish.

Like the jewelry itself, Sèvres porcelain is the product of a multi-stage creation process. To create this material, craftsmen in the manufactory mix different minerals: quartz, feldspar and kaolin. The porcelain then undergoes various steps of cutting, drying and sanding over the course of several weeks. Once meticulously hand-cut, tinted, dried and fired, it is then polished by hand for a smooth, satiny finish.

    Sèvres Manufacture, Van Cleef & Arpels

    Sèvres Manufacture

In accordance with the Maison’s demanding standards, only the finest pieces of porcelain are selected to adorn its Alhambra creations. Before they are set in the center of the beaded gold motifs, the porcelain tablets are carefully color matched to guarantee an identical appearance, and lastly enameled to protect and enhance their color.