A Closer Look at the Alhambra Collection, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Much-Coveted Lucky Charms

Loved by women all over the world, a common motif that runs throughout Van Cleef & Arpels’ designs is the four leaf clover, seen in the highly sought-after Alhambra Collection.

Symbolising health, love and above all, luck, the Van Cleef & Arpels’ four-leaf clover dates back to the 1920s, inspired by Jacques Arpels, the nephew of brand founders Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. It is said that back in the day, he would gather four-leaf clovers in the garden of his house in Germigny-l’Évêque, presenting them to his staff with the poem ‘Don’t Quit’ as a symbol of hope.

Since then, they’ve mingled with lucky emblems, wooden talismans, and the brands’ benevolent faeries, finally resulting in the Alhambra collection we’ve come to know and deeply love today.

Since the first Alhambra long necklace back in 1968, the token of luck still remains a favourite, and has been continuously enriched with new designs and fine materials. We round up a few of the ones to keep an eye out for.

Onyx

Among one of the more sought-after stones in VCA’s jewellery collections, Onyx used by the Maison is typically sourced from Brazil. The result is a material that is at once subtle, yet still manages to stand out through its deep black shade and polished surface — with so much shine it reflects light much like a mirror.

Diamond

Those looking for something extraordinary are naturally drawn to the diamond rendition — an absolutely dazzling symbol of heroism often associated with protection, purity, and immortality. Carefully crafted from stones with exceptional brilliance, this sparkling design is often offered as a token of undying love.

Lapis Lazuli

There are those who enjoy subtlety, and then there are those who favour the bright and bold. For the latter looking to make a statement, the Lapis Lazuli four-leaf clover offers a timeless accessory that resembles a star-studded sky. An intense blue flecked with pyrite, the stone was once used to craft lavish objects for royalty. In VCA’s various collections, expect meticulously chosen materials that promise the purest, deepest of colours and a perfect sheen.

Rock Crystal

Much like a colourless quartz, the rock crystal takes its name from the Greek term krystallos, which means “cold as ice”. Recognised for a mesmerisingly glassy sheen, the limpid material often reveals subtle inclusions that look like frost, with a milky element that gives the design a dreamy, otherworldly feel.

White, Yellow, or Pink Gold

Understated and luminous, each variation of gold adds to the Maison’s creations with varying stories and a timeless elegance. While White gold brings about a brilliance and purity that perfectly complements diamonds, Yellow gold brings to mind images of the sun — delicately worked into golden beads or carefully polished to maintain its striking luster. Pink gold, on the other hand, evokes soft, tender feelings, reflecting the light in a way that brings about a warm and feminine gold.

Gray Mother-of-Pearl

While the Alhambra Collection is surprisingly modern in its materiality, the mother-of-pearl remains the brands’ best seller, and one of the Maison’s favourite materials. Naturally produced inside sea shells, the captivating gray mother-of-pearl reflects the light with a subtle and captivating iridescence, evoking feelings of gentleness, femininity, and protection.

To find out more about Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Collection, visit vancleefarpels.com.