Each year, Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates the holiday season with a limited edition Vintage Alhambra pendant. 

This year, the maison shines its spotlight on onyx, with its vivid black colour imbuing the symbol of luck with exquisite sobriety.

An icon of Van Cleef & Arpels, the Alhambra collection has taken on an elegant range of interpretations since 1968, lending itself to a rich variety of colors and occasions. 

In the 2000s began the tradition of ushering in the holiday season with a limited edition lucky creation.

This year, the Vintage Alhambra pendant elegantly combines pink gold, diamond and onyx. This intensely black hard stone was often featured in the 1920s to emphasise the pure lines of Art Deco and has become one of the most emblematic materials in the Alhambra collection. 

The onyx selected by Van Cleef & Arpels comes mainly from Brazil and is distinguished by its deep color and striking lustre.

The hardstone is meticulously polished, giving it a lustrous surface that plays with light. It is then contoured with a beaded pink gold border. A brilliant-cut diamond embellishes the center of the renowned Alhambra motif, with the purity of white highlighting the allure of black.

To heighten the exclusivity of this limited edition, each pendant can be personalised with an engraving on the back of the piece. The timeless Alhambra motif thus becomes the reflection of a personal story or precious moment. Inscribed with a name, date or message, it becomes unique for all eternity.

“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck,” as Jacques Arpels – Estelle Arpels’ nephew – used to say. Ever cherished by the maison, luck is a value that has often guided its footsteps and inspired some of its most emblematic creations. The first Alhambra long necklace was created in 1968, blending yellow gold with the pure lines of Alhambra motifs. This symbol of harmony, edged with beads of gold, was an immediate success –establishing itself as a distinctive lucky emblem of the French house.

In keeping with the maison’s tradition of excellence, the Alhambra collection reflects all its high jewellery expertise. From the choice of materials through to the final polishing, traditional skills come together to create an iconic piece that will stand the test of time.