Treasure of Rubies
4th April 2019
Following the Emerald En Majesté collection unveiled in 2016 to the emerald’s glory, Van Cleef & Arpels pays now tribute to the passionate red stone with this new high jewellery launch. Treasure of Rubies is composed of 60 unique creations that subjugate by their asymmetrical design and convertibility. Indeed, most of the pieces are transformable: pendant into brooch, ring with two faces, versatile necklaces, the collection surprises by its modernity and vivid personnality.
The choice of the ruby is not independant to the Maison’s story: it was the favorite stone of Jacques Arpels, nephew of the company’s founders and director from the 1940s’. When developping the Mystery Set technique, the ruby was also the most used and adapted stone for these jewels.
Treasure of Rubies, visuals, Van Cleef & Arpels, 2019.
In this collection, the ruby is magnified and used under all forms and shapes: beads, pavé, carved, center stone, mystery set, in duo with diamonds but also with pink sapphires and pearls. The French jeweler also plays with the white and yellow gold contrasts to emphazise flaming shades.
Treasure of Rubies takes us on a poetic journey in the oriental lands where the red stone is seen as the king of the gems.
Treasure of Rubies, Collection 2019, Van Cleef & Arpels.
The collection clearly presents Van Cleef & Arpels’ codes: elegance, sophistication, flexibility, floral designs and the iconic Zip obviously didn’t miss the ruby party. Treasure of Rubies is composed of over 3000 carats of certified rubies, of all sizes and cut, that have mostly been collected during the past 5 years.
Treasure of Rubies, Collection 2019, Van Cleef & Arpels. Legends on pictures.
The launch of the collection was supported by a gala dinner in Bangkok, in a private Thai residence by the Chao Phraya river.
The interior set up was inspired by the ruby’s spectrum of shades: the burgundy shadows on the walls, the pink and purple flowers, the red chairs: the guests were breathing ruby. The evening was animated by a défilé of models wearing the creations.
During an interview with Nicolas Bos, CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels: Why did you choose to come to Bangkok?
“For a number of reasons: One of them is that the stone originates in this region, Myanmar, Thailand or Siam as it was. Surrounding the ruby in this idea of exoticism, magical stones that you find in the jungle, and, of course, Bangkok is always central to the cutting and the trade of rubies.”
Gala Dinner, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bangkok, March 2019.