Sapphire
The name sapphire comes from the Hebrew sapphir, meaning “most beautiful,” and the Greek sappheiros, meaning “blue stone.” A member of the corundum family, the sapphire, together with the ruby, it is the second hardest stone after the diamond. Van Cleef & Arpels often chooses sapphires to embellish pieces using the Mystery Set™ technique, producing creations that exhibit a delicate velvety flair.
Setting work, positioning the pear-shaped sapphire before setting
Setting work, adjusting the prongs, Eleonora necklace with detachable pendant
Setting work, setting the emerald-cut sapphire, Pégase necklace
The sapphire’s extensive palette of colors ranges from deep blue to intense pink, and includes yellow, orange and green. Blue sapphires have always been the most prized for their rich and sumptuous hue: ultramarine, royal blue, sky blue, with nuances varying according to the stone’s origin. In the past, the most opulent stones were to be found in Kasmir. Today, the most renowned blue sapphires come from Madagascar and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).
The sapphire’s extensive palette of colors ranges from deep blue to intense pink, and includes yellow, orange and green.
Clip Columbiad Bleu, White gold, one cabochon-cut star sapphire of 6.33 carats (Sri Lanka), sapphires, black spinels, diamonds, Les Voyages Extraordinaires collection
Sens unique ring, 1958, Platinum, one pear-shaped sapphire of 16.61 carats (Kashmir), diamonds, Heritage collection
Pégase transformable necklace, White gold, one emerald-cut sapphire of 45.10 carats (Sri Lanka), sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, Le Secret collection
Volutes ballerina clip, White gold, pink sapphires, diamonds, Ballet Précieux™ collection
Jasmin solitaire, platinum, round and marquise-cut diamonds, one cushion-cut 4.42 ct sapphire, diamonds, unique piece
The Maison selects sapphires with an ardent color, a brilliant glow and a pure essence.
To preserve sapphires’ color and intense luster, Van Cleef & Arpels recommends cleansing them with a soft brush and soapy water.
Setting work, adjusting the prongs, Innamorato bracelet
Luck is in sight
