Founder, Alfred Van Cleef, captured the magic of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, with its magnificent architecture and delicate mosaics, he took the minute details in beautiful pieces and became the muse for Van Cleef & Arpels, The Alhambra collection. Each pieces crafted out of pure gold, cut with precious stones. For over four decades, the VCA Alhambra has captured hearts with its delicate yet potent symbol of love, good fortune, and wealth. This iconic jewelry collection not only endures but remains a timeless classic piece. Each rounded edge of this almost flowery design of a clover exudes an air of femininity and elegance as seen on Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The Alhambra Collection Showcases VCA’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry, using a diverse range of materials to create timeless and elegant pieces. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of yellow gold and diamonds or the vibrant energy of carnelian and turquoise, there is an Alhambra piece to suit every taste and style. Here’s your guide:
The Alhambra Motif is designed with four leaf clover, a symbol of luck ad good fortune. Each motif is edged with golden beads, creating an elegant and timeless look. The number of motifs can vary greatly depending on the type of jewelry. The more motifs it has, the higher the price is.
If you are interested in buying the VCA, then below is a list of VCA Alhambra stones ranked from softest to hardest based on search results and the Mohs Hardness Scale. Remember that, Although The Mohs Hardness Scale does give you a general guideline, do keep in mind that even the harder stones can get damaged if not cared for properly. Any VCA Alhambra piece, stone notwithstanding, has to be handled with care in order to keep and preserve their beauty and worth.
Softest:
- Mother of Pearl (MOP): 2.5 - 4.5 on the Mohs scale. It's the most delicate stone VCA uses, easily scratched and prone to shrinking over time.
- Malachite: 3.0 - 4.0 on the Mohs scale. It's soft and brittle, susceptible to scratches and cracks.
Medium Hardness:
- Lapis Lazuli: 5.0 - 5.5 on the Mohs scale. It's moderately sensitive to scratching and can chip or break if dropped.
- Turquoise: 5.0 - 6.0 on the Mohs scale. It's sensitive to oils and chemicals, which can cause rusting and color change.
- Rhodonite: 5.5 - 6.0 on the Mohs scale. It's prone to scratching and breakage, especially from dropping.
Hardest:
- Chalcedony: 6.5 - 7.0 on the Mohs scale. It's moderately scratch-resistant and resistant to chipping and breaking, making it a good choice for daily wear.
- Agate, Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Carnelian: All fall within the 6.5 - 7.0 range on the Mohs scale. They are generally durable and resistant to scratching and breakage.
Winner
- Diamond is on top of the list for being the hardest mineral in nature that got the perfect scale of 10 Diamonds are almost scratch proof and are one of the gemstones that can resist knocking around from almost every other material. As a matter of fact, it can only scratch another diamond.
Explore our curated collection of VCA Alhambra pieces. Take one home today with our Buy Now, Pay Later option at checkout, or contact us for details on our no-interest Layaway Plans.
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