Enamel, the new chapter
of the Alhambra collection
Since its creation in 1968, the Alhambra collection has constantly reinvented itself over the decades. Inspired by the four-leaf clover, Van Cleef & Arpels' icon of luck has welcomed a vast palette of stones and colors over the decades.
Today, the Alhambra motif is adorned with a new material introduced to the collection: enamel, a traditional decorative art savoir-faire. This precious material, which first appeared in Greece more than 3500 years ago before being used by other civilizations, has embellished objects, ornaments, and jewelry featured in some of the most prestigious collections throughout the centuries.
Today, enamel enriches the polychrome identity of the Alhambra collection through five new yellow gold creations: a long necklace, 20 motifs; a necklace, 10 motifs; a bracelet, 5 motifs; a pendant, and a pair of earrings. Its vibrant pink color, the result of several years of research within Van Cleef & Arpels' enamel workshop, was particularly complex to develop and is achieved using a technique inspired by the so-called "gold ruby" process, dating back to the 17th century.
The enamel adorning the Alhambra creations is characterized by its intense hue, as well as its translucent material, interspersed with fine bubbles, which breathe life, depth, and singularity into the motif. It is set within a bezel of golden beads that testifies to the Maison's expertise. Its regular curves are the fruit of meticulous jewelry work and polishing. Playing with the light, the golden spheres enhance the enamel's reflections.
Controlling the enamel Alhambra motif
Assembling a pink enamel motif in its yellow gold setting
Final polishing of the Vintage Alhambra pendant with a pad
Quality control
This new chapter in the Alhambra collection illustrates the Maison's enduring commitment to this material, which has been featured in a wide variety of creations since its inception. It adorned the hull of the precious Varuna object in 1906, graced the pure Art Deco lines of on powder compacts and vanity cases in the 1920s, and expressed the nuances of nature through the animal clips launched by the boutique in the 1950s.
Today, enamel and its multiple techniques are featured on the Poetic Complications® and Extraordinary Dials™ watches. These savoir-faire techniques, mastered in-house within Van Cleef & Arpels' enamel workshop in Geneva, create effects of transparency, depth, and vibrant color to bring enchanting tableaux to life.
