Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Pendant

When it comes to Lapis lazuli necklaces, you’ve got many options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a simple pendant, a sculpted necklace, or a piece of jewelry that’s engraved with this stunning stone, you’ve got plenty of choices.

Sculpted

The Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant is a stylish piece of jewelry that has a lot to offer. It’s a great addition to any wardrobe. From its textured 18K yellow gold chain, to the lapis lazuli motifs, you’ll be sure to impress the crowd.

Van Cleef & Arpels first introduced the four-leaf clover in 1928, and it has become a design pillar for the company. This was in part inspired by the love of Jaques Arpels for picking the clovers in his backyard in Germigny-l’Eveque, France.

Although a lot has changed in the last half century, the company has been able to preserve its storied reputation for fine jewelry. One of the most popular collections from the house is the Alhambra, which is named after an 8th century Moorish palace in Granada, Spain.

The Alhambra is a complex collection with a number of distinct design elements. While the four-leaf clover is a popular motif, the brand also introduces other motifs such as fairies, a milky chalcedony gemstone, and wooden talismans.

Although it is a relatively small collection, the alhambra necklace has been seen on many celebrities. The Lapis Lazuli motifs paired with golden beads on a textured 18K gold chain make this pendant a beautiful statement piece.

Aside from the classic Vintage Alhambra, you can also find other pieces like the Sweet Alhambra and the Pure Alhambra. They all feature different sized quatrefoils and are crafted with different precious stones.

The vintage alhambra is definitely the most coveted piece from the brand. With a resale value that reflects approximately 85 percent to 100 percent of its original retail price, it’s no wonder the Alhambra is one of the most popular pieces of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.

Intense blue stippled with pyrite

In 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels created their first Alhambra long necklace in textured yellow gold. The pendant, inspired by the shape of a four-leaf clover, quickly became an icon of good luck.

Since then, the Alhambra collection has undergone subtle changes. Today, this beautiful jewelry art takes the form of precious pendants, which can be found in limited quantities. A four-leaf clover motif is one of the most sought after symbols of good luck, and these jewels are among the most valuable of Van Cleef’s designs.

Each piece is carefully handcrafted from precious materials. A lapis lazuli cabochon is surrounded by golden beads, adding shimmering ripples. Diamonds, which are polished to perfection, add a touch of brilliance to each creation.

The dazzling materials used in the Alhambra collection make this necklace an elegant accessory. Lapis lazuli stands out for its intense blue color, which is complemented by the stippling of pyrite. These stones are set in a yellow gold setting that is adorned with diamonds.

Another Van Clee & Arpels creation features a cabochon of turquoise in a guilloche rose gold setting. It is a rare stone, which was unearthed in the Arizona desert. The smooth and brilliant finish of the cabochon is accented by the rays of light reflected by the Gadroons.

This necklace also features an interchangeable bracelet. Golden beads, which have been a staple of the brand’s jewelry art since the 1920s, are featured throughout the collection. They give the bracelet a flexible dimension.

The lapis lazuli, a material that is prized for its intense color, is available in limited editions. For this reason, it is important to store the necklace in a dry fabric-lined box.

An ornamental stone of highly variable composition

The Van Clee & Arpels Vintage Alhambra pendant is a piece of jewelry that will make you feel lucky. The beautiful design has a golden bead motif. It is available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold.

The Van Clee & Arpels collection is famous for its selection of materials, which are carefully chosen to meet strict quality standards. Diamonds sparkle on each creation and add a touch of brilliance. This collection features a wide range of precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, turquoise and onyx. These gemstones are set in a three-dimensional setting and combine with yellow gold.

A unique aspect of the Van Clee & Arpels Perlee necklace is its smooth, mirror-finished surface. This allows light to pass through the delicately carved cabochons. Several motifs are used to create the necklace, each with a different size.

The Perlee collection is a tribute to Van Clee & Arpels’ history. The rings of this collection reinterpret the Philippine rings of the Maison in the 1960s.

For the first time, this collection introduces a new stone. Black pietersite, a black-colored quartz, has been added to the mix. Each of these ring’s five rows of golden beads is thickest at the top of the ring.

The delicately crafted cabochons have a smooth, brilliant finish. They have been polished by hand to produce the perfect hue. To complement this, two round diamonds are set in the center.

Perlee earrings feature an openwork structure, which gives the cabochons the opportunity to showcase their color. Round diamonds and mother of pearl stones create the ultimate display of shine and elegance.

The Van Clee & Archels Delta de turquoise bracelet is another stunning piece of jewelry. Turquoise cabochons are matched by long prongs in mirror-polished gold. Diameters vary from 10 to 23 millimeters.

A stone that is engraved on Etruscan rings

Lapis Lazuli is a stone with engraved designs on Etruscan rings. This enigmatic and beautiful stone was believed to possess incredible powers. During the Old Testament, King Solomon was given a ring by the Archangel Michael.

Rings were worn over the first joint of the hand and were never worn on the middle finger. The shape of the gemstone can help to determine the era and region of the ring’s production.

Most commonly, coloured stones are square cut. Emeralds and rubies were also popular. However, diamonds were not commonly used.

Lapis Lazuli was considered an essential base in the color table. In addition, the stone was regarded as a symbol of wisdom. It was also used for crystal therapy.

A wide variety of shapes and motifs were used to adorn rings. Among the most popular were carved cameos, rose cuts and Old Mine designs.

By the nineteenth century, romantic iconography began to dominate the designs. Symbolic beasts, including the lion and the pelican, were often combined with devotional images, such as flowers and butterflies. Besides, love declarations and miniature envelopes were common.

Another important technique used to decorate the ring was granulation. Granulation is a form of surface engraving that uses a thin gold wire to twist into refined motifs.

The most ancient stone engraving technique, intaglio-incised carving, originated in southern Mesopotamia. By the fourth millennium bce, it was already widely used for producing seals.

While the desire for intaglios from ancient times declined, they were still available for purchase. Jewelers continued to make hand-fabricated pieces for their own use and for sale. These bespoke pieces command high prices in the antique market.

Lapis Lazuli is also found on Florentine mosaics. This stone is also known as the “Stone of Heaven” by the ancient Egyptians. Moreover, the stone was mentioned in Marco Polo’s book “La Via della Seta”.

Care for your Lapis lazuli pendant

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra necklace has become an iconic piece of jewelry. It has a history of being refreshed five times since its debut in the 1960s. If you are looking for a great investment piece, this is one of the most popular collections. The collection also includes earrings, watches, and a range of rare stones.

The name “Alhambra” is derived from the Arabic word for “red fort” (al-qal’a al-hamra). This palace in Granada, Spain was built in the 8th century. Red walls and a four-leaf clover became the inspiration for the iconic design.

In the 60s, designer Jacques Arpels was inspired by his love for four-leaf clovers. He wanted to capture a laid-back tone in the design. Hence, the Alhambra necklace was created.

In addition to the original four-leaf clover motif, the Alhambra collection has incorporated a variety of stone types. The most popular are onyx and mother of pearl. Onyx is a stone that symbolizes re balance and harmony. Mother of pearl is a soft ivory color.

Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry is made from a number of different metals. However, you should avoid wearing your jewelry in the shower. Using a soft, microfiber cloth and a gentle polishing sponge should help to keep your pieces in top condition.

The best way to care for your VCA jewelry is to keep it away from water and chemicals. Although the gemstones are not scratch-resistant, they can last a long time if you take good care of them.

As a result, the Alhambra collection is one of the most valuable resale pieces. Most styles retain the value of their retail price. Some styles may even sell for more than the retail value.