Van Cleef & Arpels has always had a unique way of blending myth, mystery and mastery. Its latest creation, the L'Île Au Trésor collection, catapults the storied French Maison into a new realm of imaginative luxury, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic adventure novel, Treasure Island. This collection is an exploration of artistry, craftsmanship and a whimsical universe where jewels are more than precious stones - they are portals to otherworldly realms.
The collection, which taps into Van Cleef & Arpels’ rich history of transforming nature, mythology and history into high jewellery, takes us on a journey across time and space, unearthing treasures from mythical islands, evoking long-forgotten civilisations and reimagining fantastical creatures. From the delicate, sculptural Coquillage Mystérieux clip to the bold Carte au Trésor clip, each piece tells a story that feels both ancient and futuristic, familiar and dreamlike.
The Spirit of the Sea: Coquillage Mystérieux & Coquilles Mystérieuses
Let’s start where the ocean meets the land - the Coquillage Mystérieux clip. It’s a jewellery piece that defies easy categorisation. At first glance, it feels like an object plucked from the depths of a coral reef, it's surface a play of lustrous textures and sparkling colours. The clip’s design incorporates Van Cleef & Arpels' signature Traditional Mystery Set - a technique that hides the metal under layers of buff-topped rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, creating the illusion of gems floating in mid-air.
But the real surprise is hidden in its secret world. Flip it over, and the back of the clip reveals a sculptural fairy holding an emerald in her delicate hands, resting on a white cultured pearl. This small, intimate detail perfectly encapsulates Van Cleef & Arpels’ ethos of marrying beauty with surprise. It’s not just a clip; it’s a miniature sculpture, an ode to the intricate artistry and magic the Maison is known for.
Equally enchanting is the Coquilles Mystérieuses bracelet, which evokes Rococo-era ornaments with organic, seashell-inspired shapes. The buff-topped sapphires in the Traditional Mystery Set conceal the metalwork beneath, creating smooth, undulating surfaces that mimic the natural world’s grace. The bracelet’s articulation ensures it moves fluidly on the wrist, making it as wearable as it is mesmerising.
Fantastic Creatures and Mythical Treasures
Van Cleef & Arpels also turns its eye toward mythical creatures and legendary lands. Take the Tortue de Cocos Bleue clip, a jewellery piece that’s as much a work of art as it is a treasure chest in miniature. This curiously named clip, inspired by an island off Costa Rica, depicts a tortoise with a shell covered in luminous blue sapphires, its legs adorned with diamonds that sparkle like the sun on the water. The tortoise’s eyes are highlighted with emeralds, completing the creature’s mystical aura. It’s as if the island itself has come to life, captured in a jewel.
Meanwhile, the Carte au Trésor clip presents another nod to adventure, taking the form of a golden map sealed with rose gold cord. Adorned with references to mythical locales such as “Valley of Rubies” and “Sapphire Island,” the map hides a ruby marking the location of the treasure. The Carte au Trésor clip is an ode to the spirit of exploration, with an engraved compass on the back serving as the key to this fantastical journey.
Colour and Craftsmanship: Ondulations Marines and Splendeur Indienne
For those with an eye for colour, the Ondulations Marines earrings are a stunning display of gem selection and craftsmanship. The asymmetrical design features two pear-shaped sapphires, one mauve and one pink, suspended from delicate gold curves. Their shimmering hues evoke the spirals of marine life, while the goldwork - polished, hammered and engraved gives the piece texture and depth. These earrings don’t just sparkle - they tell a story of sea creatures and waves, of the dynamic forces of nature translated into wearable art.
In a similar vein, the Splendeur Indienne rings offer a feast for the eyes with their vibrant colour palette of emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Inspired by Mughal floral motifs, these rings feature a blend of bold geometric lines and organic shapes that speak to the Maison’s deep connection to India’s rich artistic heritage. The rings’ multilevel design presents a technical challenge that the Van Cleef & Arpels artisans meet with their signature flair, incorporating grains, prongs, and scallops to draw the eye to their vibrant centres.
A Journey Through Time and Space
From the intricate detailing of Lanternes Mystérieuses, a transformable necklace featuring 31 beads of lavender jadeite jade, to the striking Dorestad ring, with its hammered golden texture and 13.87-carat yellow sapphire, each piece in the L'Île Au Trésor collection reflects Van Cleef & Arpels’ unparalleled craftsmanship and its ability to conjure entire worlds through jewellery.
L'Île Au Trésor doesn’t just rest on its laurels of precious stones and metals. It beckons its wearer into a realm of imagination and wonder. Each jewel is a key to a hidden world, where the magic of craftsmanship and the allure of faraway lands come to life in the most unexpected, and luxurious, ways.
With L'Île Au Trésor, Van Cleef & Arpels proves once again that their creations aren’t just precious - they are timeless expressions of wonder, mystery and an ever-present desire to explore the unknown.
