Beyond the Alhambra: Five Van Cleef & Arpels Designs Worth Bookmarking

Photo Credit: @taty.farr

Although the name Van Cleef & Arpels (or VCA to fans) immediately conjures images of its famed Alhambra collection, the storied jewelry house is so much more. Let’s look beyond the four-leaf clover inspired design to some of the other stunning albeit lesser known treasures from the brand. Here are five absolutely gorgeous pieces of jewelry we love from VCA’s current collection.

The Ruban Secret Watch

Secret watches were extremely popular in the 19th century. At the time, it was considered rude for a lady to ask or look at the time during a social event. Hence, the timepiece was disguised as a beautiful bracelet instead.

Today, secret watches remain desired for their beauty and the air of mystery that surrounds them. Our favorite from Van Cleef & Arpels’ current selection of secret watches is the Ruban Secret Watch. The bracelet is shaped like a ribbon made with white gold and diamonds. The glittering bow can be moved to reveal the dial of the timepiece!

Photo credit: @watchjournal

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

The Lucky Animals Hummingbird clip

VCA’s Lucky Animals collection was designed to offer price accessible jewelry aimed at a younger audience. Celebrities like Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis were avid collectors of these playful creations. We love the elegant hummingbird clip from this collection which features a yellow gold exterior wrought with Lapis Lazuli, Malachite and Onyx.

Photo Credit: bethscloset _two

Photo Creit: @dominiquemodels_official

Frivole Clip Pendant

The Frivole collection is another stunning example of VCA’s nature-inspired artistry. Three hand made heart-shaped petals come together to form a 3D flower. The design has a light breezy aesthetic that suggests movement and fluidity.

The Frivole clip pendant can be worn as a pendant, on the lapel or even as a hairclip! Available in white, yellow or rose gold, with or without diamonds, this versatile piece of jewelry scores high on aesthetics and wearability!

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Perlée Diamonds Bracelet

Bracelet stacking is a jewelry trend that is here to stay and the bracelets in VCA’s Perlée collection are absolutely perfect for this. According to VCA the Perlée collection is “a celebration of delicate golden beads”. With a yellow gold band and featuring three rows of round diamonds, it looks beautiful – stacked or solo. When light hits the bracelet it creates a visually stunning effect. The diamonds look like exquisite glittering snowflakes. The placement of the diamonds is an example of the meticulous craftsmanship and design that truly sets the brand apart.

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Photo Credit: @vancleefarpels

Two Butterfly Between the Finger Ring

Who said a ring needs to sit delicately on just one finger? VCA’s ‘two butterfly between the finger ring’ features top on our list of innovative jewelry pieces. The vision behind the Two Butterfly collection was that the jewelry “combine color and asymmetry to reinterpret the grace and beauty of butterflies in flight”. The ring made with yellow gold features two differently colored butterflies in opposite directions of flight. Both butterflies feature a thorax made with diamonds, one butterfly features wings made with Lapis Lazul and the other butterfly has wings of yellow gold studded with diamonds.