Van Cleef & Arpels adorns the Alhambra collection with pink enamel

Fashion

For over fifty years, the four-leaf clover has been Van Cleef & Arpels’ emblem of luck. Born in 1968, the Alhambra collection began with a single long necklace of 20 gold motifs, a design so pure and wearable that it became an instant icon. Since then, the clover has been reinterpreted in countless materials: onyx, carnelian, mother-of-pearl, guilloche gold, and even Sèvres porcelain.

Now, the maison writes a new chapter, pairing Alhambra with one of its oldest loves, enamel, a material it has worked with since its founding in 1906.

The craft behind the clover

The collection’s five new pieces, a long necklace, a necklace, a pendant, a bracelet, and earrings, glow vividly. Translucent pink is unique to this launch, chosen specifically to carry forward Alhambra’s polychrome identity. The shade was achieved using a technique inspired by the centuries-old “gold-ruby” process, in which color comes from the tiny gold particles released within the enamel itself.

The research to get exact size, shape, and concentration took years of research and a process that speaks to its broader commitment to rare “métiers d’art.” Van Cleef & Arpels’ enamel workshop now masters more than fifteen techniques, from miniature painting to “plique-à-jour.” Fitting the curved enamel into a signature double-beaded gold contour demands peak precision and several hours of inspection.

Enamel has decorated Van Cleef & Arpels creations since 1906, including vanity cases, animal clips, and celebrated watch dials like the Ladu Arpels Jour Enchante. By bringing it into the Alhambra world for the first time, the Maison links two of its most treasured traditions: an icon of luck and a craft as old as the house itself.

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