Storytelling is something that Van Cleef & Arpels does impeccably well, in its own special way. Now, it looks like they’ve truly outdone themselves by inviting us aboard for a glittering adventure inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Yes, looks like that epic tale of adventure that enthralled so many of us in our younger years has been reimagined by the Maison – not with paper and ink, but in diamonds, sapphires and gold.
Combining 120 years of exceptional craftsmanship with a generous helping of literary inspiration, the prestigious French jeweller capped a year of remarkable growth in a challenging luxury environment with the unveiling of its latest high jewellery collection. It is the brainchild of former CEO Nicolas Bos, who left the brand last year to become group chief executive at parent company Richemont.
With its billowing sails and engraved rose gold boat, the Hispaniola clip marks the start of the epic tale. Mimicking the linen sailcloth used by ships, diamonds are set to overlap at different angles, creating the illusion that this vessel is ploughing through the waves, powered by the world’s most precious sails.
The rise and fall of waves and perhaps even the soundtrack to a sailor’s life is eloquently expressed in the Écume Mystérieuse necklace and Traversee Mystérieuse bracelet. The Maison’s signature Traditional Mystery Set sapphires spill over the front of the necklace, with sea foam interpreted as scrolling diamonds.
Next, the collection turns to nature’s treasures, presenting a vibrant array of seashells, blossoms, and trees rendered in luminous hues. This chapter speaks to Van Cleef & Arpels’ timeless affinity for the natural world, capturing its beauty with unparalleled craftsmanship and vivid colour palettes.
Shells provide the inspiration for the gorgeous Ondulations Marines earrings, which loop around the ear, reproducing the spiral form of marine creatures. Finished with mismatched pear shape mauve and pink sapphire drops, the goldwork is exquisite, with the Maison employing the ramolayé technique to hammer, engrave and polish the metal to recreate the coils on a seashell.
The final act celebrates the spirit of adventure, as inspiration traverses everything from pre-Colombian splendours to modern-day Rajasthan in India, culminating in a series of statement rings showcasing some of the Maison’s most sumptuous stones. Transcribing the shapes and colours of a treasure chest, the Coffré précieux ring is crowned with a 13.42-carat sapphire, surrounded by gold, buff-topped rubies and emeralds to indicate the four cardinal points on a compass.
And to locate the treasure, Van Cleef’s pirates have been gifted with the Carte au Trésor brooch – a yellow gold treasure map, tied with a twisted, tasselled rose gold cord.
Close examination reveals an engraved map concealed within the rolls of parchment highlighting different locations on the island like Cape Tourmaline, Pearl Islands, Valley of Rubies, Sapphire Island and Emerald Lagoon. Of course, in the end, it is a ruby that indicates the hiding place of the treasure chest.
This article was first published in The Peak Malaysia’s February issue.
