Van Cleef & Arpels Extra Large Magic Alhambra Turquoise Yellow Gold Earrings New
View Similar Items
Van Cleef & Arpels Extra Large Magic Alhambra Turquoise Yellow Gold Earrings New
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Metal:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:NA
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1731211862192
Magic Alhambra Earrings
Suspended from the Magic Alhambra earrings are symmetric shapes in the motif that, since it was introduced in 1968, have become the signature design of Van Cleef & Arpels. The first Alhambra piece was a necklace — a long yellow-gold chain with 20 creased gold motifs, the border of each dotted with golden beads, all appearing as if a four-leaf clover had been touched by King Midas.
In 1895, Estelle Arpels, whose family was in the precious-stones business, married a stonecutter’s son named Alfred Van Cleef, and their union led to the founding of the maison of Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906. It was Estelle’s nephew Jacques Arpels (1914–2008) whose vision guided the creation of the Alhambra motif. Arpels enjoyed seeking out the rare four-leaf clovers growing in the garden of his home in Germigny-l'Évêque. He envisioned the Alhambra motif as a symbol of harmony and good fortune, its form inspired by both the clover and the quatrefoils of Moorish architecture. The design proved perfect for the “La Boutique” collection Van Cleef & Arpels had launched in 1954. Opened at its 22 Place Vendôme flagship in Paris, La Boutique offered more accessible pieces aimed at younger customers who wanted jewelry for everyday wear. Later, stemming from this innovative collection, Alhambra was the biggest hit.
The Alhambra motif, with its name evoking the Moorish palace in Granada, Spain, resonated with a 1960s-era exoticism for styles derived from the Middle East. The talisman of good luck quickly became a popular design, worn with bohemian flair by fashion icons like Princess Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor and Françoise Hardy. Along with the Magic Alhambra necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels added earrings, rings and even watches that incorporate the emblem’s curves. While a Van Cleef & Arpels aficionado would instantly recognize the motif in any iteration, the Alhambra designs are not showy in their branding and are easily paired with any outfit on any occasion.
The beauty of the Magic Alhambra design is in its refinement and its meticulous craftsmanship, from the selection of high-quality materials to the setting of the stones. For the Magic Alhambra earrings, there are numerous variations that include white gold paired with diamonds or yellow or rose gold paired with black onyx, malachite, mother-of-pearl and more. The Magic Alhambra earrings remain as sought after as the original necklace was in 1968. Van Cleef & Arpels continues to create pieces in the motif that respond to evolving tastes, and as the enthusiasm for Magic Alhambra jewelry grows, so too does the house’s universal renown.
Van Cleef & Arpels
One of the world’s foremost jewelry houses, Van Cleef & Arpels is particularly noted for a focus on technical virtuosity, craftsmanship and artistry, evident since its beginning. Rather than create earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments primarily for the aim of displaying of wealth and opulence, Van Cleef & Arpels sought to produce jewelry that projected the wearer’s taste and style.
The company was formed a year after the 1895 marriage of Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a gem cutter, to Estelle Arpels, daughter of precious-stones dealer Salomon Arpel. Ten years later, Van Cleef & Arpels opened its first boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris, setting the march on a square now crowded with dealers in bijouterie. (The company still occupies the New York flagship store opened in 1939 at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.)
Born from a union of expertise in both jewelry making and gem selection, the Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with both the consistency of the color and clarity of its stones and the creativity of its designs. In doing so, the house would win a roster of dedicated, fashion-conscious clients that included the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Hutton, Jacqueline Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor. In 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels patented its trademark Mystery Setting — a technique by which gems are fitted into an intricate matrix of slots and “drawers” that keep the setting hidden. Another signal innovation was the Zip necklace, introduced in 1951, which can be worn either around the neck or, with the zipper closed, as a bracelet.
But as much as to the firm’s craftsmanship, clients have been drawn by the insouciance and playfulness of Van Cleef & Arpels designers, as well as their attunement to the cultural climate. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the company produced several lavish pieces featuring hieroglyphics and other Egyptian motifs to go along with the geometric Art Deco jewelry of that decade and the next. Following World War II, as symbols of freedom and rebirth, the firm focused on naturalistic forms such as birds, flowers, fruit and flying insects. High society’s 1960s fascination with the Near East and India prompted such pieces as the best-selling Alhambra necklace, popularized by Princess Grace.
Lately, attention among collectors and connoisseurs has centered on Van Cleef & Arpels’s quality of workmanship as much as its glamour. The firm was the subject of a 2012 show at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as exhibitions at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in 2013 and at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2014.
Find an exquisite collection of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloche 18k Yellow Gold BraceletBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Motif: 5 motifs with Guilloche metalwork Includes: VCA Box VCA Service papersCategory
2010s French Chain Bracelets
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Turquoise Vintage Alhambra Single Motif Pendant NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Style: Motif Pendant Necklace Metal Type: White Gold Metal Purity: 18k Stone: RARE Turqouise Pendant Size : Med...Category
2010s French Retro Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsTurquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 1 Motif Vintage Alhambra Onyx Necklace In 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection:Alhambra Model: Single Motif Style: Pendant Necklace Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Stones: 1 Black Onyx Alhambra Motif Hallma...Category
2010s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels 5 Motifs Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Blue Agate 18k Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Vintage Alhambra Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Stone: Blue Agate Includes: VCA Box VCA Authenticity Certificate ...Category
2010s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsAgate, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Onyx Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold Full SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Van Cleef & Arpels Model: Vintage Alhambra Bracelet Stone: Onyx Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Includes: VCA Box VCA Authenticity CertificateCategory
2010s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsOnyx, Yellow Gold
- RARE Van Cleef & Arpels Pure Alhambra Onyx and White Gold 14 Motif NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection: Pure Alhambra Stone: Onyx Metal: 18k White Gold Includes service papers from the boutique.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Link Necklaces
MaterialsOnyx, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Earrings in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold Additional Information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Gender: Women Line: Alhambra Earring type: Stud earrings Material: Yellow g...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Malachite 3 Motifs Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU CT-2323 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2018 RRP £9,450 Inc taxes / $ 10,100/ 11,000 € Inc taxes Model VCARO2AG00 Serial Number JE**** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Stones Malachit...Category
2010s French Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsMalachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Guilloché 18K yellow gold EarringBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2241 Comes With Pouch Only Date 2019 RRP £5100 Inc taxes / $ 5400 / 5800 € Inc taxes Model VCARP3JL00 Serial Number JA****** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Weight 9.4 g Width 15 mm Con...Category
2010s French Stud Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Turquoise Clover White Gold Stud EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYShowcasing a classic & unique sweet Alhambra turquoise stud earrings set in a four prong 18k white gold halo clover design. Comes with original box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsTurquoise, White Gold
- Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings in 18K Yellow GoldBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBVan Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Heart Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold Additional information: Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels Material: Yellow gold (18K)...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
MaterialsYellow Gold
- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Magic Alhambra Letterwood Rose Gold Long Pendant NecklaceBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYThis gorgeous Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is crafted in 18k rose gold and features a letterwood pendant. The Magic Alhambra collection inspired by lucky four-leaf clovers and the sca...Category
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
MaterialsRose Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Gems by David Webb, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Anchor The Back Vault’s Treasure Trove
Boasting one of the largest collections of David Webb in the world, the firm offers exceptional jewels — always in demand yet never in short supply.
This Turquoise Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace Is a Rare and Alluring Find
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?