Can you keep a secret?
Creativity and unbridled imagination have long been the defining attributes of Van Cleef & Arpels. For over a century, the Parisian maison has turned to a plethora of out-of-this-world themes for design inspiration — resulting in some of the most exquisite jewellery creations the world has seen. This year, Van Cleef & Arpels casts its sights on a secret garden for its most magical and most surreal haute joaillerie collection yet: Le Secret.
A collection steeped in fantasy and mystery, Le Secret takes inspiration from the Maison's love of nature to evoke an enchanting garden where exotic flowers bloom and mythical creatures roam. From Cupid himself to the magnificient winged Pegasus, a nightingale inspired by ancient folklore and a delicate fairy nestled within, Le Secret is a treasure trove of hidden messages, surprise mechanisms and unexpected transformations that have the ability to delight and mesmerise at all once.
Undoubtedly the pièce de résistance of the Le Secret collection is the Pégase necklace, an ornate masterpiece harbouring a playful surprise. An intense blue 45.10ct emerald-cut Sri Lankan sapphire sits at its heart, and is encompassed by white gold, diamonds, emeralds and even more sapphires.
Hidden within the central pendant is a miniature white gold Pegasus. Depending on the wearer's mood, the figurine can be worn concealed or revealed in all its glory. If that’s not impressive enough, the transformable piece took over 2,200 hours to create – a testament to Van Cleef & Arpels' incredible craftsmanship and attention-to-detail.
White gold, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, an emerald-cut sapphire of 45.10 carats.
Part ring, part poem, the Fleur Bleue is one for the romantics. The piece sparkles with its dazzling centrepiece: a 5.13ct cushion-cut sapphire, surrounded by mosaic of emeralds, diamonds and tourmalines. But upon closer look, the upper part of the ring gently ascends to reveal an engraved quote by Oscar Wilde: "Une vie sans amour est comme un jardin sans soleil" (A life without love is like a garden without sun).
White gold, diamonds, emeralds, Paraíba-like tourmalines, a cushion-cut sapphire of 5.13 carats.
Paying homage to Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale The Nightingale, the Oiseau Sur La Branche is not as it seems upon first glance. Slide open the diamond door and you'll discover a carved nightingale nestled artfully within, against a brilliant backdrop of sapphires and buff-topped emeralds.
The art of metamorphosis continues; this long necklace can be transformed and worn three ways. What stands out is the perfect combination of ruby beads, white pearls and onyx for an ensemble of colours and motifs evoking Asia.
White gold, yellow gold, emeralds, rubies, blue and pink sapphires, onyx, white cultured pearls, and ruby beads totalling 567.14 carats.
A new addition to Van Cleef & Arpels' echanted garden is the Petale de Papillion. Notable for its vibrant hues, this clip features petals adorned with yellow and mauve sapphires and leaves set in emeralds and tsavorite garnets. But what makes this piece especially precious is the secret it contains: a delicate butterfly cleverly camouflaged amongst the petals. With a light touch, a mechanism releases the creature, which can be worn separately as a clip.
Yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, yellow and mauve sapphires, emeralds, spessartite and tsavorite garnets, onyx, sugilite.
