Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra four-leaf Lucky collection is rich in design inspiration. The series is inspired by the four-leaf lucky pattern, which was first inspired by the brick wall pattern of the “Alhambra Palace” in Spain. In the 1920s, the four-leaf lucky pattern first appeared in Van Cleef & Arpels’ works, along with wooden charms, lucky pendants and flexible fairies. In 1968, inspired by four-leaf clover, the family created the first Alhambra four-leaf lucky series long necklace, with gold round beads tightly wrapped around 20 folds of gold four-leaf lucky patterns, forming a perfect and harmonious symbol of luck.

Each four-leaf clover in the Alhambra collection has a unique meaning, the first one symbolizes good luck, the second one symbolizes health, the third one symbolizes wealth, and the fourth one symbolizes love. Since its introduction in 1968, it has become a lucky charm in the hearts of countless people with its unique design and deep brand history. The collection is also inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels founder Jacques Arpels’ unique understanding of luck. He believes that jewelry is not only an ornament, but also a symbol of good blessings. Jacques Arpault once picked four-leaf clovers in his garden and gave them to his friends and relatives, and attached a short English poem called “Don’t Quit” to encourage them to never give up in life.

In 2024, the family once again breaks through the tradition, with new materials and techniques, to take this classic series to a new height. This year, the Alhambra collection welcomed new members – Sweet Alhambra watches and Vintage Alhambra reversible rings. These two works not only continue the elegance and delicacy of the series, but also give them a unique charm with the new carving process and blue agate material. The guet carving process has been used to decorate watch faces at Van Cleef & Arpels since the 1910s, and in 2018, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Alhambra collection, this process was introduced for the first time in the design of the four-leaf lucky pattern. The delicate undulating lines on the surface of yellow K gold are like the sunlight in the morning, emitting a bright light. The use of blue agate adds a mysterious charm to the Alhambra series.
The Alhambra collection is inspired by the brick wall pattern of the Alhambra Palace
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra collection was created in 1968, inspired by the brick wall pattern of the Alhambra Palace in Spain. Alhambra Palace as a historical and cultural treasure, its brick wall pattern is unique and full of artistic charm. Van Cleef & Arpels cleverly applied this element to its jewelry design, creating the iconic lucky four-leaf clover pattern. This design is not a simple imitation, but has been carefully refined and recreated. The four-leaf clover pattern not only has similarities with the brick wall pattern of the Alhambra Palace in appearance, but also carries profound cultural connotations in the meaning. The four-leaf clover is often seen as a symbol of luck, and the Alhambra itself is rich in historical and cultural value, the combination of which makes the Alhambra jewelry collection both artistic and auspicious. The design quickly became Van Cleef & Arpels’ most iconic work, with new materials and techniques introduced each year to enrich and expand the classic collection. From long necklaces to pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings, a variety of pieces have emerged to meet the needs of different consumers.

### Alhambra collection inspired by Jacques Arpello’s understanding of luck
Jacques Arbao loved four-leaf clover all his life, often collecting four-leaf clover in his garden, and then giving it to friends with the English poem “Don’t Quit”, hoping that friends are lucky and optimistic, in order to get lucky blessing. In 1968, Jacques Arpels created the first Alhambra four-leaf lucky pattern necklace inspired by four-leaf clover. “If you wish for luck, you will be lucky.” This is the credo of Jacques Arpault’s life, and it became one of the design concepts of the Alhambra collection. Luck is a value that Van Cleef & Arpels has always cherished, and it is one of the sources of its creative inspiration. The Alhambra series is not only a jewelry, but also a symbol of luck, which carries the persistent pursuit and good wishes of Jacques Arpels for luck. This understanding of luck runs through the design of the entire series, from the shape of the four-leaf clover to the selection of various materials, which all reflect the meaning of luck. For example, different gemstone materials are given different symbolic meanings, such as fame, wealth, love and health, so that the wearer can enjoy the beauty of jewelry at the same time, but also feel the company of luck.

The inspiration for the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection is rich and unique. On the one hand, the brick pattern of the Alhambra provided artistic inspiration, creating the iconic lucky four-leaf clover pattern; On the other hand, Jacques Arpels’ understanding and pursuit of luck also deeply influenced the design concept of this collection. The combination of the two makes the Alhambra collection a timeless classic of Van Cleef & Arpels, constantly radiating luck and charm.