Vintage Alhambra

Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry created a worldwide sensation by introducing the stunning four-leaf-clover-inspired Alhambra line in 1968. It was an exciting time in women’s fashion. Women’s roles and opportunities were expanding and growing at an unprecedented rate, and luxury design houses scrambled to keep pace. These new designs electrified the fashion world.

Today, vintage Alhambra pieces remain emblematic of free-spirited luxury. The vintage Alhambra collection marries the Van Cleef & Arpels' signature quality and whimsy with a modern day-wear sensibility. 

The debut piece of the celebrated vintage Alhambra line was a long yellow gold necklace composed of 20 four-leaf clovers trimmed in gold beads. It was an immediate sensation. The clover motif was inspired by the quatrefoil design throughout the exquisite Alhambra castle in Granada, Spain. The clover leaves represent luck, health, fortune, and love. Soon, the most beautiful and influential women in the world were wearing the long Alhambra necklace, often stacked with shorter styles or another Alhambra doubled.

Vintage Alhambra for Sale

The vintage Alhambra necklace was joined by shorter necklaces, bracelets, and earrings sporting the same clover motif. The line began to feature mother-of-pearl, tiger eye, carnelian, malachite, and other gemstones. Legendary beauty, actress, and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly cherished her Alhambra jewelry collection. Today, Kate Middleton is equally enamored of her vintage Alhambra pieces and is frequently seen wearing her favorite mother-of-pearl necklace with matching drop earrings. The look is timeless.

Explore our Van Cleef & Arpels vintage Alhambra collection and discover classic jewelry born to celebrate the growing independence of women. Since 1968, the collection has been in continuous production and evolution, inspiring fashion-loving women ever since.