Ode to nature
Jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels pays homage to the beauty of nature with its Frivole collection, writes Meera Murugesan
AS spring approaches, Van Cleef & Arpels revisits its Frivole collection, a majestic and luminous ode to nature.
The timeless flower motif is beautifully worked into delicate pieces of jewellery that captivate and enchant the eye.
Floral motifs have always been at the heart of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creativity, from its famous diamond clips of the 1920s to contemporary jewellery pieces and the Frivole collection, in keeping with this theme, also pays rightful homage to the beauty of nature.
BLOOMING BEAUTY
Ranging from single flowers to shimmering bouquets, the gorgeous pieces in this collection, whether presented as rings, earrings, pendants or bracelets, add a brilliant dazzle to the wearer.
These creations, in which heart-shaped petals are arranged three-dimensionally around one or three diamonds, are characterised by interplays of reflection and geometric lines.
Available since March 20, nine new pieces showcase an original variation in gold, a new size and for the first time, bracelets which boast an almost ethereal lightness.
Yellow gold studded with diamonds also makes its appearance in the collection, with small model earrings, a large model pendant and a striking “Between the Finger” ring.
Emblematic of the jeweller, this dazzling piece depicts two asymmetric corollas, echoing one another on either side of an open band. The effect of brilliance is accentuated by the quality of the diamonds selected which keep to the highest standards. DELICATE CREATIONS
Making their debut in the collection, earrings in yellow gold and diamonds or white gold and diamonds offer a “stud” format that completes the existing range. This new size extends to a pendant and a bracelet with chains available in both colours of gold.
For the first time in the collection, the bracelet is also adorned with a single motif to embellish the wrist with grace and delicacy.
The quest for movement lies at the heart of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creative process and for the Frivole collection, architectural forms and the orientation of the flower petals have been worked with care to reproduce the random quality of nature.
Mirror polishing, a technique used by the brand since the 1920s, also provides a way of highlighting the glitter of gold and creating particularly intense reflections and suffusing each piece with unique vitality.
The aim for brilliance can also be seen in the openwork - openings that the jeweller pierces in the gold structure to enable light to pass through the diamonds. All these techniques combined with rigorous attention to detail, enhance the Frivole creations.
In designs which make use of yellow gold and diamonds, the flowers unfurl their stylised petals in single corollas or bouquets. Yellow gold — evoking the style of the 1950s — sparkles with a sun-like glow, enhanced by the luminosity of a diamond heart.
The white gold and diamond creations meanwhile, illuminate the skin. Mirror polishing accentuates the metal’s sparkle and magnifies the brilliance of the petals.
The jewellery structure in white gold pieces on the other hand, showcase an intricate paving of round diamonds in a grain setting. Stones and precious metals come together with sparkling intensity.