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Discover the Remarkable Van Cleef & Arpels Creations That Continue To Enchant Jewelry Connoisseurs

Palmyre earrings in white gold with diamonds, Zip Couture Alliance graphique necklace in white gold with pink sapphires and diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels; dress, Elisabetta Franchi. Photographed by Greg Adamski

It all began with a love story when Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a precious stone dealer, tied the knot with Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a stone cutter, to later join their passion for jewelry making with Van Cleef & Arpels. Loyal to its vision for elegant craftsmanship of a selection of exceptional quality precious stones, the fine jewelry house has been catering to a high-profile international clientele for about 100 years. Van Cleef & Arpels has perfected the mission to create more accessible jewelry for women, relying on historical narratives and precious stones that formulate its day-time jewelry profile.

Flying butterfly necklace with detachable clip in white gold with diamonds, Flying Butterfly Between the Finger Ring in white and rose gold with Traditional Mystery Set sapphires and diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels; top, SemSem. Photographed by Greg Adamski

Though known for its emblematic Alhambra launched in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels has offered other iconic pieces punctuated with the house’s signature sophistication and elegance. The Zip Couture Alliance Graphique necklace is inspired by the 19th century and re-appropriates the humble beginnings of a boot fastener. Suggested to design by Alfred Van Cleef’s daughter, Renée Puissant, this piece was designed in 1950. With a ribbon of rubies, round and baguette-cut diamonds mounted in platinum, emeralds, and sapphires, this piece has adorned the necks of stars including Irina-Lazareanu, Anne-Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, and Margot Robbie.

Inspired by an Oasis located in the Syrian desert, the Palmyre Collection brings the Palmyre earrings and necklace that reflect timeless elegance and sophistication. Embellished with different rows of sparkling diamonds set in white or yellow gold, the collection brings out an airy, fluid-like setting. The collection illustrates a scenery of glittering drops of water, enhancing the diamonds’ natural beauty, as they’re worn day and night.

Palmyre necklace in yellow gold with diamonds, Ludo bracelet in yellow and white gold with diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels; dress, Maison Yeya. Photographed by Greg Adamski

In 1935, the Ludo bracelet was created in honor of Louis Arpels, who was referred to as ‘Ludo’ by his friends. Lauded for its sleek gold ribbon built of hexagon bricks, two colors of gold are blended in the representation of flexible fabric. The assembly frames a jewelry clasp that gives the impression of a belt buckle trimmed with round diamonds, effortlessly draping around the wrist.

Médaillon abstrait long necklace in rose and white gold with spessartite garnets, pink and black spinels, coral, onyx, and white cultured pearls, Van Cleef & Arpels; dress, Valentino. Photographed by Greg Adamski

The Médaillon Abstrait long necklace is an exhibition of precious stones beaded in an inlay of pink and black gems, corals, pink and white gold, and pearls. The necklace’s geometrical character was inspired by the long necklaces of the 70s and flexibly transforms from a long tasseled piece into layers of three.

With a tender and lightweight flow, Van Cleef & Arpels revisits asymmetry and the art of illusions through its Two Butterfly jewelry collection. The Flying Butterfly with a Detachable Clip stands out in an attire of one marquise-cut white diamond to testify the jewelry house’s innovation and vision for breaking the typical frame for creativity. The Flying Butterfly Between the Finger Ring is painted with a Traditional Mystery Set of Sapphires, narrating the story of a delicate confrontation linked by an open band of rose or white gold.

Read Next: Discover the UAE’s Most Exciting Emerging Jewelry Design Talent at This Exhibition

Photography: Greg Adamski 
Style: Mohammad Hazem Rezq 
Hair and makeup: Manuel Losada 
Floral design: Florette
Production: Danica Zivkovic 
Senior fashion market editor: Amine Jreissati
Model: Sophia Alshehry 

Production assistant: Rama Naser
Photography assistant: Nino Clavecilas
Shot at Al Barari

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