Alhambra: Good Luck since 1968

Since 1968, the Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels has been a lucky amulet for its admirers.

After fifty years since the launch, its aura remains more fluid and elegant than ever.

The Alhambra collection was first unveiled in 1968. Its four-leaf clover motif, which first appeared in Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1920s, has since then endured until the present days, becoming an iconic symbol and emblem of the Maison.

Its first piece was a long necklace, made up of 20 motifs in creased gold, delicately edged with golden beads.

Its bold combination of materials, colours, forms and textures, this everyday jewel was perfectly in tune with fashion and stylistic habits in the 1960s and 1970s.

Created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1968, in keeping with its tradition of excellence and savoir-faire, the Alhambra long necklace captured the spirit of the age and introduced new ways of wearing jewels in everyday life. Fifty years later, it stands as a reference that has profoundly influenced the history of jewellery. Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Empowering Alhambra’s charm and adding to its beauty, great women such as Princess Grace Kelly and actresses Romy Schnider and Fançoise Hardy, chose to wear this necklace, boosting its image and setting the collection into timeless fame.

In 1974 Françoise Hardy is posing adorned by Van Cleef & Arpels’ jewels. (c) Catherine Rotulo.

Romy Schneider wearing an Alhambra necklace in the movie directed by Michel Deville “Le Mouton Enragé”, in 1974. (c) Leonard de Raemy / Sigma / Corbis

H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco during a poetry reading session in Edinburgh, 1979.

A timeless icon offering new interpretations of contemporary luxury.

Today, to celebrate such an important milestone, Van Cleef & Arpels enriches its Alhambra collection with four new variations.

The overtones of grey mother-of-pearl and the sparkle of diamonds combine with pink gold in a gentle variation of shades.

Sautoir Vintage Alhambra 20 motifs. Pink gold, grey mother-of-pearl, diamonds. (c) Van Cleef & Arpels

Bracelet Vintage Alhambra 5 motifs. Pink gold, grey mother-of-pearl, diamonds. (c) Van Cleef & Arpels

Magic Alhambra Earrings 2 motifs Pink gold, grey mother-of-pearl, diamonds (c) Van Cleef & Arpels

The onyx contrasts with the glitter of diamonds and white gold, while a central golden bead adds a note of roundness to the jewels.

Vintage Alhambra Sautoir 20 motifs White gold, onyx, diamonds

Vintage Alhambra Bracelet 5 motifs White gold, onyx, diamonds

Two additional variations, in warm yellow gold and lapis lazuli and rock crystal, evoke the spirit of Alhambra collection, its very soul, to perfection.

Vintage Alhambra Sautoir Necklace 20 motifs Yellow gold, lapis lazuli, diamonds

Vintage Alhambra Sautoir Bracelet 5 motifs Yellow gold, lapis lazuli, diamonds

Vintage Alhambra Sautoir Necklace 20 motifs Yellow gold, rock crystal, diamonds

An undisputed savoir-faire.

As every one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creation, the Alhambra collection is the reflection of the Maison’s expertise and savoir-faire in high jewellery.

Elegant associations of materials, excellence and savoir-faire, a timeless allure. Happy birthday Alhambra! CC