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Alhambra - Van Cleef & Arpels

Inspirations

“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck”

Jacques Arpels

Jacques Arpels, a luck lover
An iconic collection

Inspirations

An iconic collection

In 1968, the Maison created a true icon of luck

Inspirations

Jacques Arpels, a luck lover

“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

Know-how

In keeping with Van Cleef & Arpels tradition of excellence, the Alhambra collection embodies all the expertise of a High Jewelry Maison.

The varied skills of lapidaries, jewelers, stone-setters and polishers come together to create each piece.

No fewer than fifteen successive steps of selection, production and verification are required to create this iconic jewel that will withstand the test of time.

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Portraits

A symbol of luck, elegance and harmony,
the Alhambra collection was immediately adopted by numerous personalities across the world.
Exceptional women endowed these iconic jewels with unique prestige, wearing them like intimate talismans.

Françoise Hardy
Grace Kelly
Romy Schneider

Portraits

Françoise Hardy

In 1974, Françoise Hardy posed adorned with Alhambra pieces

Portraits

Romy Schneider

A symbol of luck, but of harmony and elegance too, Alhambra was also adopted by exceptional actresses such as Romy Schneider – who wore an Alhambra long necklace in Michel Deville’s film Le Mouton Enragé, released in 1974.

Portraits

Princess Grace of Monaco

Set with diverse materials, the Alhambra long necklace also revealed its varied facets in Princess Grace of Monaco’s collection.

Alternately in yellow gold, coral, lapis lazuli or malachite, this emblematic creation accompanied the elegant Princess throughout her public and private life during the 1970s.

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Stones and symbols

Ever inspired by nature, the Maison
has sought out the most beautiful materials she has to offer.
Along with diamonds, they have all been chosen
according to the very highest standards of quality.
During this selection process, only 1% of the material is retained to make up the future Alhambra motifs.

Stones and symbols

Chalcedony

- 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.

Stones and symbols

Carnelian

- Joy and Happiness -
An orangey-red variety of chalcedony, carnelian was one of the first stones used in jewelry

Stones and symbols

Diamond

- 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.

Stones and symbols

Malachite

- Protection -
An opaque stone graced with unique beauty, malachite evokes the force of nature with its deep green hue, streaked with alternately light and dark veins.

Its decorative qualities made it an especially sought-after stone in 19th century Russia, where it was used to decorate churches and palaces. Worn as a talisman in days gone by, it was thought to protect children and travelers.

The Maison carefully selects malachite stones with regular bands (mainly from Australia); they are rigorously matched to ensure an elegant and harmonious ensemble.

Stones and symbols

Mother of Pearl

- Protective femininity -
One of the Maison’s favorite materials, mother-of-pearl is produced organically inside sea shells.
Although iridescent white mother-of-pearl is best-known, grey mother-of-pearl is just as captivating, reflecting the light in a rainbow prism of ever-changing colors.

With its milky sheen, it evokes femininity, gentleness and protection. The mother-of-pearl used by the Maison comes from Indonesia and Japan; it is notable for its subtle and uniform shades, regular surface and sheen of the highest quality.

Stones and symbols

Tigers eye

- Perspicacity -
Tiger’s eye is what is known as a “chatoyant” gemstone, because of its yellowy-brown tones that catch the light.

Its alternating bands resemble the eye of a cat. This mysterious aspect established its reputation as the “all-seeing stone”; Roman soldiers wore it to protect them in battle.

Van Cleef & Arpels selects tiger’s eye from Australia or South Africa

Stones and symbols

Onyx

- Beauty and Spirituality -
According to Roman mythology, Eros one day used the point of an arrow to cut Venus’s nails while she was asleep. Since every part of her divine body was immortal, they were transformed into stone and gave birth to onyx.

Sought-after in ancient times, onyx also appears in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Mainly from Brazil, it stands out for its deep black color and polished surface, which reflects the light like a mirror.

Stones and symbols

Pink gold

- Tenderness -
Evoking tender feelings, the pink gold used by Van Cleef & Arpels is a subtle alloy of gold, copper and silver, unique to the Maison.

Whether delicately polished or crumpled with Van Cleef & Arpels’ emblematic savoir-faire, it gently reflects the light to grace creations with a warm, feminine touch.

Stones and symbols

Turquoise

- 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.

Stones and symbols

Letterwood

- Chance -
Rare and precious, bois d’amourette is much appreciated for its strength and its speckled appearance with reddish tints.

Indigenous to South America, it was long considered sacred by the American Indians. It also expresses the symbolism of luck to which the Maison is particularly attached.

In the late 1910s, Van Cleef & Arpels’ advertisements were already advising their customers to “Touch wood”, giving pride of place to this lucky material.

Collections

Like nature itself – a favorite symbol of inspiration for the Maison – Alhambra has constantly renewed itself over the years, taking on a broad palette of colors, dimensions and forms.

Discover the collection

Access all Alhambra creations

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Collections

Vintage Alhambra

A faithful reproduction of the very first Alhambra jewel created in 1968,
this line is distinguished by its unique, timeless elegance.

Synonymous with the Maison, its equally sized motifs are emphasized by a border of golden pearls, paired with a refined palette of natural materials.

From the emblematic long necklace to the feminine watch, Alhambra Vintage gracefully defies the whims of fashion and the passage of time.