(Photo courtesy of Vogue)
Contents
- Step Into a World Where Luck, Luxury, and Legacy Beautifully Intertwine
- One Clover, Many Interpretations
- The Masterful Craftsmanship Behind Alhambra
- How to Check If Your Alhambra Is Real
- The Tried-and-True Talisman of Royals and Hollywood Icons
- It’s Your Lucky Day — Shop Genuine Alhambra Pieces at Exclusive Discounts
- About The Writer
The union of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels gave birth to the Maison at Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, heralding a legacy of timeless and imaginative jewelry.
Right from the start, Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn inspiration from the phenomenal world of nature. Among its earliest muses was the delicate four-leaf clover, traditionally believed to grant good luck to those fortunate enough to discover one.
The Alhambra collection embodies Van Cleef & Arpels' interpretation of luck, elegantly featuring the lucky clover as its central motif. Revered for many decades, the legendary line was held dear by top celebrities and royals alike.
Icons like Romy Schneider, Françoise Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco, Queen Camilla, and the Duchess of Cambridge have all proudly worn these lucky charms as symbols of French elegance and prestige. Who could say? Maybe these talismans have been the secret behind their fortunate lives!
Step Into a World Where Luck, Luxury, and Legacy Beautifully Intertwine
(Photos courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
Van Cleef & Arpels has always been enchanted by the concept of luck, incorporating it into their designs since the 1920s. Four-leaf clovers first found their way into the Maison’s archives over a hundred years ago, beautifully complementing other symbols of fortune like charms, enchanting fairies, and wooden talismans throughout the years.
- Here’s a charming bit of Maison history: Jacques Arpels, the nephew of the founders, used to gather four-leaf clovers from his own backyard. He'd hand these lucky finds to his employees, sharing a bit of good fortune.
This enduring fascination with luck naturally resulted in the creation of stunning jewels at the renowned French luxury house. In 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled the Alhambra long necklace, featuring 20 clover-shaped motifs in creased yellow gold, each edged with delicate gold beads.
Icons like German-French actor Romy Schneider and French singer-songwriter Françoise Hardy were fond of layering the opera-length necklace adorned with 20 quatrefoils.
“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck,” Jacques Arpels once believed.
But even those who didn’t believe in luck were likely enchanted by the design. It quickly found success and became a globally recognized symbol of good fortune, forever linked to the legendary Maison.
The esteemed French luxury house gave this classic design a fresh spin in the early 2000s, introducing new interpretations that make it delightfully difficult to choose just one — though when it comes to jewelry, there’s no such thing as too much!
One Clover, Many Interpretations
(Photo courtesy of Highsnobiety)
Luck may be a concept as old as time, but the Alhambra jewelry collection keeps getting modern treatments to stay fresh and relevant. The iconic line has been reinvented time and again, adapting to modern tastes with a diverse palette of materials, colors, and designs.
One notable modern reinterpretation is the Pure Alhambra line, which adds a minimalist yet sophisticated new angle to the brand’s classic lucky motif. Since its introduction in 2001, the luxury collection has beautifully embraced the clover leaf’s simplicity, emphasizing a smooth, minimalistic finish and graceful contours.
In 2006, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the Magic Alhambra jewelry line, which playfully assembles Alhambra motifs of varying sizes into a delightful arrangement. Of course, the iconic clover leaf remains the core inspiration, but the designs take a fresh turn on the original, featuring asymmetrical shapes and unexpected pairings of materials.
Van Cleef & Arpels' love for nature has also flourished in their Lucky Alhambra jewelry, which first debuted in 2006. The line boldly expands their vision of luck far beyond the traditional clover design, bringing together charming elements like butterflies, hearts, and stars to create an imaginative spin on the traditional motif.
The house continued its evolution with Sweet Alhambra, another modern line introduced in 2007. These pieces showcase a smaller-scale version of the beloved motif, perfectly suited for those who appreciate understated luxury blended with modern class.
The Masterful Craftsmanship Behind Alhambra
(Photos courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
Each exquisite Alhambra jewel is backed by decades of Van Cleef & Arpels’ legendary savoir-faire. With painstaking precision, the expert artisans at French House employ techniques of unmatched intricacy, ensuring every jewel carries both emotional depth and the impeccable quality long associated with Van Cleef & Arpels.
The iconic Alhambra series showcases a harmonious blend of precious metals and gemstones, each chosen for its aesthetic appeal and symbolic significance. Common materials include:
- Gold: Predominantly 18K yellow, white, or rose gold, providing a warm and enduring foundation.
- Mother-of-Pearl: Valued for its iridescent luster, symbolizing purity and femininity.
- Onyx: A deep black stone representing strength and protection.
- Malachite: Recognized by its rich green hues and banded patterns, the stone has been long associated with transformation and healing.
- Carnelian: A reddish-orange stone symbolizing energy and passion.
- Turquoise: A vibrant blue stone believed to bring good fortune and protection.
- Diamonds: Incorporated for their brilliance and timeless appeal.
Each Alhambra piece undergoes a rigorous creation process involving skilled craftsmen who specialize in stone selection, cutting, setting, and polishing. The signature beaded edges are meticulously crafted, and the motifs are assembled with precision to ensure seamless integration.
This dedication to excellence results in jewelry that captivates the eye and stands the test of time, meant to be worn and cherished as long as the heart desires.
How to Check If Your Alhambra Is Real
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)
Given the Alhambra collection's prestige, it has unfortunately become a target for counterfeiters. To ensure the authenticity of a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra piece, consider the following:
- Hallmarks and Signatures: Genuine pieces are stamped with "Van Cleef & Arpels" or "VCA," along with a unique serial number and metal purity mark (e.g., "750" for 18K gold).
- Craftsmanship: Authentic Alhambra jewelry exhibits flawless finishing with precise symmetry, secure settings, and polished surfaces, including intricate beaded edges.
- Materials: Van Cleef & Arpels ensures each jewelry creation is remarkable by using only top-tier metals and gemstones.
- Source: Always buy your jewelry from reliable sources. Naturally, the official Van Cleef & Arpels store is ideal, but other credible luxury jewelry sellers like ZenLuxe also offer genuine pieces, often at more affordable prices.
The Tried-and-True Talisman of Royals and Hollywood Icons
(Photos courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels)
This collection has enjoyed iconic status over the years, winning the hearts of historical figures with its refined elegance. A classic moment from the archives shows Françoise Hardy in 1973, gracefully wearing two Alhambra sautoirs and a PA 49 wristwatch from Van Cleef & Arpels.
Another iconic snapshot in time is Romy Schneider during the filming of Le Mouton Enragé in 1973, where she elegantly wore an Alhambra long necklace. The collection's charm was equally evident in 1979 when H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco chose three Alhambra sautoirs, each piece enhancing her signature royal style.
In recent years, the Alhambra has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Members of the British royal family, including the Queen Camilla, have been spotted wearing Alhambra pieces at high-profile events.
Underscoring its appeal among those with a penchant for luxury, the collection has made modern appearances on other royal figures. A prime example is when Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, appeared at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
At the BAFTAs, the Duchess embraced the call for sustainability by wearing a gold and white embroidered Alexander McQueen gown, a cherished piece from her wardrobe for eight years.
She paired this with a timeless choice from Van Cleef & Arpels — a suite of jewelry from the Magic Alhambra collection featuring mother-of-pearl and yellow gold earrings and a matching necklace, continuing a royal tradition of exquisite taste.
Kate styled her vintage 1974 malachite necklace alongside additional strands of rock crystal and tortoiseshell. Priced at £5,400, her earrings with two charms and her six-charm necklace valued at £7,850 showcase the distinctive quatrefoil motifs synonymous with Van Cleef & Arpels. The charms are designed to resemble the talismanic shapes and overlapping circles that evoke the Moorish archways of the iconic Spanish palace.
It’s safe to say Alhambra has become a fashion staple. Mariah Carey, Reese Witherspoon, and Cameron Diaz have all been spotted wearing the luxurious lucky charms. The collection remains a top choice among fashion-forward elites and is likely to stay in the spotlight for years to come.
It’s Your Lucky Day — Shop Genuine Alhambra Pieces at Exclusive Discounts
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)
The Alhambra collection has indeed been a lucky charm — not only for its fortunate wearers but also for Van Cleef & Arpels itself. Long regarded as a top choice for those with a refined eye, it has transcended its origins to become a cultural icon, one that’s graceful, enchanting, and impossible to go wrong with.
The enduring appeal of the Alhambra collection is also evident in the second-hand market. High demand and limited availability have led to pieces often retaining or appreciating in value, making them sought-after items for collectors and investors alike.
For those charmed by Van Cleef & Arpels but prefer a gentler price tag, online luxury platforms like ZenLuxe provide a carefully selected range of authentic, second-hand Alhambra jewelry and more of the French house.
We all love a good deal — even A-listers who could splurge on new luxury items without a second thought. Lately, the world celebrities have been not just choosing but also favoring second-hand (a.k.a pre-loved) alternatives, motivated by the environmental benefits and the thrill of finding rare, discontinued gems.
Second-hand luxury shopping has evolved into a mainstream trend, shedding any past stigmas and opening the doors to high-end luxury for all. You can now explore ZenLuxe to find a treasure trove of original pre-loved jewelry from top brands like Van Cleef & Arpels.
Simply indulge in shopping, place your order, and let our professionals take care of the rest. Your order will soon be carefully packaged and delivered straight to your doorstep, guaranteeing that every stage of your purchase — from browsing to unboxing — reflects the luxurious experience you truly deserve.
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?)
