Van Cleef & Arpels Unveils Emeraude en Majeste: Ode to an Exceptional Stone

During the Couture Paris Fashion Week, I was fortunate to be invited to a private showing as Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled its latest high jewellery collection – Emeraude en Majeste.  The emerald, also called the “King of Gems”, is celebrated in this collection with a set of interpretations that reveal all their beauty and character. Van Cleef & Arpels pays tribute to the emerald with an ode to the gemstone that celebrates their long-standing history with the precious stone.

The emerald has been prominently featured in many of Van Cleef’s past creations, from a crown commissioned for the Iranian Empress, Farah Pahlavi, at the 1967 coronation of the Shah of Iran, to pendants worn by European royals and notables like Wallis Simpson.

Twist émeraude bracelet © Van Cleef & Arpels

The emerald saga continues with this high jewellery collection, which features over 1,400 carats of emeralds, carefully selected by Van Cleef & Arpels expert gemologists. The maison has searched the world for exceptional emeralds. From Colombia to Zambia, the emeralds have diverse origins and criteria that endow them with unique character. These gems are set apart by their color – a deep intense green which elicits an emotion at first sight.

Each stone is showcased by a design created specially for it. The structure of undulating lines, the abstract motifs and myriad of colors focus on the emerald in all its nuances and cuts. The numerous transformable pieces reflect the virtuosity of the craftsmen whose skills come together to celebrate a stone that offers a constant surprise to the eye.

Drapé majestueux necklace © Van Cleef & Arpels

The collection pays homage to some of the most iconic pieces of jewellery throughout the ages. All of the pieces reflect the signature Van Cleef and Arpels style – combining inventiveness, savoir-faire, and the art of bringing out the beauty of precious stones. For in the creative process, everything starts with the stone. View the collection here.

Canopée ring © Van Cleef & Arpels