Van Cleef & Arpels 101
The Alhambra collection is inspired by the four-leaf clover and the quatrefoils within the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain.
The four-leaf clover appeared in Van Cleef & Arpel collections as early as 1928. The good luck charm would serve as the starting point for one of the brand’s most enduring and iconic designs: The Alhambra.
Jacques Arpels’s love of the four-leaf clover sparked him to debut The Alhambra in 1968 in the form of a gold sautoir.
The Alhambra collection is one of Van Cleef & Arpels most sought-after collections of all time.
Kate Middleton was seen in a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra lariat and earrings at the 2020 BAFTA Awards.
Countless film stars, singers, and performers including Mariah Carey, Blake Lively, and Reese Witherspoon have worn pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection.
In the jewelry resale market, the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra is one of the most sought after collections, especially when it comes to its necklaces and bracelets.
The Alhambra collection is a great investment, with items retaining an average of 85 percent to 100 percent of their retail value