Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra Turquoise Earrings

The world becomes a more magical place when one feels lucky. This idea is beautifully realized in many of Van Cleef & Arpels' iconic collections, including Alhambra™, Cosmos™, and Frivole™, where random motifs are often stylized and conflated with geometric forms in nature. These Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Turquoise Large Model Button Earrings, made in the 21st Century, feature single bold quatrefoil motifs, crafted 18k yellow gold, and set with bright and perfectly even turquoise. The top and bottom edges are adorned with a double border of golden beads, placed at regular intervals like milgrain wrought large, but more directly borrowing an embellishment from the Maison's Perlée™ collection, which features delicate pearls of gold. The earrings, designed for pierced ears, outfitted with posts and hinged omega backs, are Signed VCA and numbered with marks for gold.

A quatrefoil looks like a four-leaved clover or four simplified flower petals. Quatrefoil is derived from Latin--quattuor meaning four, and folium meaning leaf. The perfectly symmetrical shape is said to be inspired by the stylized geometry of the Alhambra palace and fortress in Granada, Andalusia, Spain, the most famous monument of Islamic architecture. The Alhambra® is a highly collectible and coveted Van Cleef & Arpels signature collection that has continually refreshed and revised since the first 20-motif gold sautoir was introduced in 1968. The mathematical harmony of the motif is most pleasing to the eye and remains a classic more than 50 years later.

In keeping with Maison's high standards, the ornamental stones that adorn the Alhambra® creations have been selected among the finest materials. The turquoise draws its charm from the softness of its blue color, accentuated by careful polishing. The most-prized turquoise color is an even, intense, medium blue, as exemplified in these earrings, sometimes referred to as robin's egg blue or sky blue in the trade. The traditional source for this color is the Nishapur district of Iran, so it is also commonly described as "Persian blue," whether it was mined in Iran. The stone is rated a 5 or 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it can be easily carved and polished into beautiful, lustrous shapes. These earrings are incredibly coveted and unique because although the Maison still produces Alhambra®, the turquoise version has been discontinued. The Magic Alhambra® collection debuted in 2006 and featured the quatrefoil motif interpreted in a playful variety of sizes.

Large Model Alhambra Studs. No longer producing turquoise versions of these earrings. Overall weight approx. 11.00 grams, made in 18k yellow gold and signed Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 20th Century.

SKU :E1390
Category :EARRINGS
Metal :18KYG

Van Cleef & Arpels

18K Yellow Gold

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