Gouache drawing of the Lotus d’Orient ring, Pierres de Caractères Variations collection.

White gold, round and pear-shaped diamonds, round sapphires, fluted chrysoprase and one 24.44-carat oval tourmaline (origin: Mozambique)

The central tourmaline of the Lotus d’Orient ring is associated with the spring-like green of chrysoprase, carefully gadrooned to produce an enchanting textured effect. Along with the ring’s multi-level architecture, its bezel – fashioned like a garland of gold and diamonds – accentuates the beauty of the central stone.

Gouache drawing of the Camaieu de Bleus ring, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

Yellow gold, round diamonds, carved rubellite and turquoise

The Lady’s Cocktail ring from the High Jewelry Pierres de Caractère collection is particular in that it features a daring combination of precious, fine and hard stones.

The Lady’s Cocktail ring presents alternating rows of diamonds and turquoise supporting an engraved rubellite - part of the multicolored family of tourmalines - that gives volume to this creation.

The perfectly regular prongs radiate up from the ring shank in a display of meticulous craftsmanship.

Gouache drawing of the Pongal ring, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

Yellow gold, diamonds, cabochon-cut rubies (origin: Thailand) and a cushion-cut emerald of 27.81 carats (origin: Colombia).

The central stone and overall style of the piece evoke the Indian inspiration dear to Van Cleef & Arpels. The relationship deepened from the 1950s onwards, when Pierre and Claude Arpels started travelling across India in search of wondrous stones and jewels.

In India, green symbolizes life, happiness and prosperity, and red, the color of women’s wedding saris, is associated with vitality. These colors are worn at important Indian festivals such as “Pongal”.

Gouache drawing of the Riflesso Azzuro ring, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

White gold, round, pear-shaped, baguette and triangle-cut diamonds, cabochon-cut emeralds, one cushion-cut sapphire of 30.20 carats (origin: Sri Lanka), yellow gold.

The Riflesso Azzurro ring - “riflesso azzurro” means “azure reflection” in Italian. The blue of the sapphire evokes the Grotta Azzurra, the sea cave on the north-west coast of Capri, the stunning rock of the Bay of Naples in the Mediterranean sea, which is famous for the blue light reflected on its walls and its crystal clear water.

Gouache drawing of Summer Cocktail ring, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

White gold, round diamonds, pink gold, coral (corallium elatius), round mauve sapphires and one oval-cut pink spinel of 21.19 carats.

The aesthetic and the choice of stones of the Summer Cocktail ring echo the cocktail rings especially fashionable during the 1960s. The expression came into being in the 1930s to describe the colorful and opulent rings worn by elegant ladies at exclusive receptions.

Gouache drawing of the Precious light earrings, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection.

White gold, yellow gold, round and baguette-cut diamonds, two emerald-cut Fancy Vivid Orangy Yellow diamonds for a total of 9.04 carats.

1970s fashion was dominated by vibrant, acid colors like Yellow in couture and jewelry at that time. In reference to this era, these earrings showcase two Fancy Vivid Orangy Yellow diamonds with an exceptional “buttercup” color.

Gouache drawing of the Fleur de lapis-lazuli clip, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

White gold, lapis lazuli, round and pear-shaped diamonds and one round D IF diamond of 3.05 carats.

Starting from the design, a mock-up of the Fleur de lapis-lazuli clip from the High Jewelry collection Pierres de Caractère Variations was produced to simulate its complex volume. Re-cutting the stone in situ called for extreme precision: the petals are thin, curved and arranged in a spiral. In a demonstration of Van Cleef & Arpels’ attention to detail, the edge of the petals is also set with brilliants to provide a glittering halo.

Gouache drawing of the Ancolie Précieuse ring, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

White gold, round and pear-shaped diamonds, calibrated rubies and one cushion-cut D IF type 2A diamond of 9.03 carats.

The Ancolie Précieuse ring is composed of a halo of pear-shaped diamonds overlooking a row of round diamonds, themselves emphasized by a border of rubies. In its appearance, the ring evokes the finely serrated corolla of a columbine in full bloom. This elegant flower with its slender stem showcases the spirit of Nature so dear to Van Cleef & Arpels and is the latest addition to the “Maison’s garden”, which expands from collection to collection.

Gouache drawing of the Camaieu de Bleus ring, Pierres de Caractères Variations collection. 

White gold, round and baguette-cut diamonds, baguette-cut medium and intense blue sapphires and one marquise cut D IF type 2A diamond of 11.22 carats.

The reference to the 1960s-1970s paintings and in particular to minimalism, has influenced the choice of colors and the geometric structure of this ring. The color gradation of the two blue tones (medium and intese) of the sapphires on an interwoven structure enhances the central stone.

Gouache drawing of the Oriental Princess necklace, Pierres de Caractère Variations collection. 

White gold, round, pear-shaped and baguette-cut diamonds, buff -top baguette-cut, pear-shaped and cushion-cut rubies (origin: Mozambique) and one pear-shaped D FL type 2A diamond of 8.07 carats.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Maison created many pieces influenced by the Orient. In an homage to the inspiration of that era, the Oriental Princess necklace recalls the grace and beauty of Eastern princesses.

Its undulating curves reveal sparkling gems the color of fire and ice. Round, baguette-cut and pear-shaped diamonds add sparkle to a set of 42 rubies from Mozambique, the latter notable for their size and the consistency of their cut and color.

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