19 Oct 2021
Each year, Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the holidays with a limited edition of the Vintage Alhambra pendant. In 2021, rhodonite colors this symbol of good luck with its delicate pink shades for the very first time. Giving a precious casing to the motif, a rose gold frame adds the finishing touch to this soft and harmonious composition.
The Alhambra collection is a true Van Cleef & Arpels’ icon: since 1968, it has lent itself to elegant interpretations in different materials to suit various occasions.
The Maison has selected rhodonite to adorn this new Vintage Alhambra pendant. Its delicate pink color and the harmony of its material – opaque or translucent – were determining factors in the selection of the stones. Light brown inclusions and subtle white crystals delicately are sprinkled throughout the mineral, giving each motif a unique character.
The surface of the rhodonite is meticulously polished to reveal all its nuances, before being hemmed with a beaded contour in rose gold. This combination of materials gives the piece a note of tenderness and comfort. A brilliant-cut diamond lights up the center of the famous Alhambra motif, elegantly highlighting the soft colors.
To heighten the exclusivity of this limited edition, each pendant can be personalized with an engraving on the back of the piece. The Alhambra motif thus becomes the reflection of a personal story or a precious moment. Inscribed with a name, date or message, the jewel becomes forever unique.
“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck,” as Jacques Arpels – Estelle Arpels’ nephew – used to say. Ever cherished by the Maison, luck is a value that has often guided its footsteps and inspired some of its most characteristic creations. In 1968, the Maison created the first Alhambra long necklace, inspired by the four-leaf clover shape. Like a harmonious token of luck, it was made up of 20 motifs in creased yellow gold, delicately fringed with golden beads. The symbol was an immediate success, establishing itself throughout the world as an icon of luck and emblem of Van Cleef & Arpels.
