Stones

Aquamarine

Belonging to the silicate group, aquamarine is a member of the beryl family (which also includes the emerald). This fine stone is characterized by its color, ranging from very light to saturated blue, and its highly transparent material. For the Fleurs d'Hawaï jewelry and watch creations, for example, the Maison has selected gems with a light blue hue. They are distinguished by their vividness and luminosity. The Gemstone Department only selects aquamarines that are flawless to the naked eye. The Maison places great emphasis on the quality of the cut. It must be precise and symmetrical to guarantee optimal light reflection.

Final polishing work.

Final polishing work

Jewelry work, setting.

Jewelry work, setting

Finition setting.

Finition setting

Gemmology work, pairing.

Gemmology work, pairing

Over the decades, the Maison has regularly highlighted the crystalline beauty of this stone. One example is a 1938 clip, now in the Van Cleef & Arpels Heritage Collection, featuring an armful of flowers in yellow gold, sapphires, aquamarines and topaz. In the 1950s, fine stones were combined with the brilliance of platinum and diamonds on a necklace that could be transformed into two bracelets. 

Bouquet clip, 1938. Yellow gold, rubies, sapphires, aquamarines, topazes. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Bouquet clip, 1938

Yellow gold, rubies, sapphires, aquamarines, topazes

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Clip, 1946. White gold, rubies, aquamarine, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Clip, 1946

White gold, rubies, aquamarine, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Necklace, 1955. Transformable into two bracelets. White gold, platinum, aquamarines, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Necklace, 1955

Transformable into two bracelets

White gold, platinum, aquamarines, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Today, aquamarines are traditionally magnified by High Jewelry creations, such as the Fiore bracelet (Romeo & Juliet collection, 2019) featuring two pear-cut aquamarines of 50.87 and 50.50 carats. It also features in the Maison's first Objet Extraordinaire, the Automate Fée Ondine (2017), with a 129.61-carat specimen representing the face of the female figure.

Fiore bracelet. White gold, one pear-shaped aquamarine of 50.87 carats, one pear-shaped aquamarine of 50.50 carats, sapphires, emeralds, black spinels, diamonds. Romeo & Juliet collection, 2019
Fée Ondine automaton in white, yellow and rose gold, diamonds, blue, pink and yellow sapphires, Traditional Mystery Set rubies, spessartite garnets, aquamarine, white opal, onyx, enamel, wood marquetry, silver, aluminum. Extraordinary Objects collection, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Aquamarine is sensitive to shock and heat. The Maison therefore recommends that you remove your piece before any sporting activity, and avoid wearing it in hot, humid environments (shower, sauna, hammam). It's best to store it in a fabric-lined case, away from other jewelry. You can clean your aquamarine with warm water and mild soap, then dry it with a soft cloth. 

Materials
Stones

Citrine