Van Cleef & Arpels Takes High Jewelry on Le Grand Tour
An invitation to dream and escape
Like an enchanted souvenir, each of the collection’s creations evokes the Grand Tour, a historical odyssey through the major cultural centers of Europe.
“This High Jewelry collection celebrates a tradition that has always fascinated us. At the beginning of the 20th century, when Van Cleef & Arpels was founded, curiosity for other cultures, periods and forms of art was a way to fuel one’s imagination and give rise to innovative creations.
We followed the trail of our predecessors and chose cities that were renowned stops historically. We took inspiration from antique jewelry – Roman, Etruscan, Medieval or Renaissance –, marrying it with our own heritage, style and craftsmanship. The result is like a colorful sketchbook that invites to dive into destinations and gemstones.”
Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels
LONDON
Blue Sapphires and diamonds. It is noted that there is a 1.55 carat diamond “DIF” – D color, Internally FLawless
PARIS
Cultured Pearls, emeralds (mystery set! 😮 ), diamonds, and a few very special purple sapphires.
[Mystery set gems are grooved on the underside of the gem – the pavilion – and then held in place by guide wires/rails. In particular, emeralds are SO hard to set without breaking! (Tap here to see how this amazing feat is accomplished!)]
THE ALPS
Blue-green tourmaline, sapphires, aquamarines, tanzanites, and diamonds.
in white gold set with one 27.70-carat oval-cut blue-green tourmaline, one 16.26-carat cushion cut blue-green tourmaline, sapphires, aquamarines, tanzanites and diamonds (Photo: Marc de Groot)
FLORENCE
Rubellite Tourmalines (red) and diamond.
ROME
Tsavorite Garnets and Emeralds
NAPLES
Rubellite Tourmalines (red), Pink Sapphires, Rubies, Spessartite Garnets (orange), Pink and Angel-Skin (pinkish-white) Coral, & diamond.
L’Official Magazine online has a wonderful Photo Gallery of Le Grand Tour, with images by photographer Alex Aikiu.
Dripping with gemstones, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Le Grand Tour collection celebrates the majestic wonders of Europe through the art of high jewelry.
by L’OFFICIEL USA
Photography by Alex Aikiu
Devotion to the Arts and Savoir-faire
Van Cleef & Arpels’ delectable new high jewelry collection draws upon both the infamous Grand Tour experience and antique jewelry, highlighting the maison’s devotion to the arts and savoir-faire with more than 70 unique gemstone creations. From vibrant rubellites to aquatic tourmalines, Le Grand Tour collection is a feast of exquisitely crafted pieces that celebrate the art of high jewelry.
Tap here for the rest of the Grand Tour – photos by Alex Aikiu!
