{"id":4771,"date":"2023-09-01T18:57:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T16:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weprecious.com\/?p=4771"},"modified":"2025-05-20T15:26:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:26:06","slug":"alhambra-van-cleef-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weprecious.com\/en\/alhambra-van-cleef-histoire\/","title":{"rendered":"The Alhambra, the Van Cleef & Arpels clover: History and meaning"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0<\/span>If you're a lover of second-hand luxury jewellery, then you're undoubtedly familiar with\u00a0the Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra collection<\/a>. It is THE emblematic line that embodies the timeless elegance and prestigious history of this French high jewellery house. In any case, you're bound to have seen this mother-of-pearl or coloured clover around the neck of a friend, or a celebrity (it's said that Ad\u00e8le wore one during one of her concerts!).\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

But perhaps you don't know all the history, the meaning and the multitude of variations of this iconic line<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Vintage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Introduction to the Alhambra :
The Van Cleef & Arpels signature trefoil \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A true jewellery icon and now the signature of the Van Cleef & Arpels<\/a>the Alhambra collection<\/a> has grown steadily over the years.<\/p>

The Vintage Alhambra collection, launched in 1968, has become the most famous of the French house Van Cleef & Arpels<\/a>. Inspired by the four-leaf clover symbolising good luck, its name refers to the palace and gardens of the Alhambra in Granada.\u00a0<\/p>

Jacques Arpels, nephew of the founders of the jewellery house, used to pick four-leaf clovers in his garden and give them as good luck charms. This was the inspiration behind the creation of the collection. The lucky symbol of the four-leaf clover appeared in the Van Cleef & Arpels archives in the 1920s. The clover motifs, symbols of luck and happiness, have become the very essence of the Alhambra Collection.<\/p>

Over time the Alhambra collection<\/a> has expanded, reinterpreting this timeless motif in a range of materials, colours, stones and other symbols such as hearts, butterflies and stars.\u00a0<\/p>

But it all began with Vintage Alhambra and the collection's first sautoir, created in 1968.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The origins of the Alhambra by Van Cleef & Arpels

History of a Lucky Symbol<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The parts '<\/strong><\/a>Vintage Alhambra<\/a>'<\/a> are those that are faithful to the aesthetic of the collection's first sautoir, created in 1968.<\/p>

The motifs are surrounded by a border of gold pearls. Inspired by the four-leaf clover, it features flower motifs originally in white mother-of-pearl with a delicate outline of gold pearls, at regular intervals on a for\u00e7at chain. The mother-of-pearl clover motif is set in gold, creating a timeless harmony.<\/p>

Each piece Vintage Alhambra Van Cleef<\/strong> tells a unique story. Today, it is available in a wide range of materials and colours...<\/p>

In 1971, Van Cleef & Arpels<\/strong> decided to add colour to its four-leaf clovers. The motifs are set with hard stones such as malachite and lapis lazuli. In 1998, the Alhambra collection was extended to include bracelets and watches, and the catalogue of available materials was expanded to include carnelian, chalcedony, mother-of-pearl and onyx.<\/p>

Over half a century, the collection has been considerably enriched and has become a true ambassador of Van Cleef & Arpels' expertise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Alhambra Van Cleef : the models<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 20 motif long necklace<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The first genuine Alhambra long necklace appeared in 1968. Inspired by the four-leaf clover, a symbol of good luck, it's more than a talisman - it's a real everyday good luck charm. It features 20 crinkled yellow gold motifs delicately edged with gold pearls. The Alhambra necklace was an instant success, and many celebrities, including Romy Schneider, Fran\u00e7oise Hardy and Princess Grace of Monaco, have worn this precious lucky charm.<\/p>

If you're looking for rarity and authenticity, the Vintage Alhambra sautoir - rare second-hand, and quite expensive new - is truly the legendary Van Cleef & Arpels piece.<\/p>

The must-have? Wear it with a white shirt and jeans.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Authenticated\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Vintage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
Bracelet Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 5 designs<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

This bracelet with its 5 clover (or four-lobed flower) motifs is one of the most sought-after jewels in the collection. Five clover motifs in mother-of-pearl, gold or precious stones, linked by a delicate gold chain. Each design is a masterpiece in itself, capturing the essence of Parisian chic.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 10 motif necklace<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

For lovers of the ultimate in sophistication, the Alhambra 10 motif necklace is a real work of art. It combines ten clover motifs, and it's up to you to choose a vibrant colour and material. Worn alone or layered with other jewellery, this necklace is the epitome of timeless elegance. The necklace Vintage Alhambra 10 designs<\/strong> in gold and mother-of-pearl looks stunning on d\u00e9collet\u00e9, and is the perfect length for day or evening wear.\u00a0<\/p>

An ultra-chic reinterpretation of the Van Cleef & Arpels pearl necklace: a statement piece. A must-have second-hand gift.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Vintage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Alhambra Van Cleef: colours and stones<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In 1971, Van Cleef & Arpels decided to add colour to its four-leaf clovers. The motifs were set with hard stones such as malachite and lapis lazuli. In 1998, the catalogue of materials was expanded to include carnelian, chalcedony, mother-of-pearl and onyx. In half a century, the collection has grown considerably and has become a true ambassador of Van Cleef & Arpels expertise.<\/p>

Vintage Alhambra Van Cleef & Arpels<\/strong> offers a rich and varied palette of colours, allowing everyone to find the room that suits their style and personality.<\/span><\/p>