Van Cleef & Arpels has unveiled a new pink enamel addition to its celebrated Alhambra collection, introducing a fresh colourway to one of the jewellery house’s most recognisable designs.
The new creations mark another chapter in the evolution of the Alhambra motif, which first appeared in 1968 as a long necklace featuring 20 four-leaf clover-inspired motifs in textured yellow gold. Since then, the design has become synonymous with the Maison, evolving through successive interpretations in precious metals, ornamental stones and other materials, including mother-of-pearl and Sèvres porcelain.
For its latest introduction, Van Cleef & Arpels has turned to enamel, a material that has featured in its creations since the Maison was founded in 1906. The new translucent pink shade brings a distinctive warmth to the collection, its vibrant colour complemented by subtle bubbles suspended within the surface. The result is a delicate interplay of light and transparency, offering a different expression of the Alhambra’s familiar four-leaf clover silhouette.
The launch comprises five pieces across the Vintage Alhambra and Magic Alhambra lines: a long necklace, a necklace, a pendant, a five-motif bracelet and earrings. Each combines the pink enamel with yellow gold, with selected designs also incorporating guilloché detailing.
Developing the distinctive finish required several years of research in the Maison’s workshops. The colour draws on the historic gold-ruby enamelling technique, dating back to the 17th century, in which fine particles of gold are used to produce the characteristic red-pink hue rather than relying on pigments. Achieving the desired intensity and translucency depends on the precise size, shape and concentration of these particles.
The enamel is set within the collection’s signature double row of golden beads, while the curved surface of each motif has been designed to maximise its reflective qualities. Together, the gold and enamel create a subtle contrast between the warmth of the metal and the luminosity of the new colour.
The introduction also highlights Van Cleef & Arpels’ continued investment in traditional decorative craftsmanship. Its in-house enamel workshop has developed expertise across more than 15 techniques, supported by a dedicated three-year training programme for artisans.
More than five decades after its debut, Alhambra continues to evolve through material and colour, while retaining the four-leaf clover motif that established its identity.
