Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

1 4 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Black Sea T he Black Sea has long served as a cultural crossroads between EuropeandmysticalAsia,inspiringfascinationwith a simplemention of its name. The nocturnal sea inspired the maison, and from it came themagical Black Sea collection. TheRoseDesVentslongnecklaceconsistsofrichwhitegold,diamonds, black spinels, sapphires, onyx beads and white cultured pearls, a nocturnal piece which invites you to set sail - crossing the black sea by night, beneath the pearl-whitemoon. The white cultured pearls and varying onyx beads create asymmetric rows, evoking the sparkle of resting waters in the evening, punctuated with a reversible motif - one side, inspired by the compass rose, is adornedwithdiamonds, whilst the other is embellishedwith sapphires and spinels which enriches the deep, blue hues. Next is the Rivage Noir et Blanc bracelet. With white gold, diamond, square and cabochon-cut sapphires and emeralds, white and grey culturedpearlswithturquoise,thebraceletcontinuestherich,nocturnal theme. With its bold combination of materials, the Rivage Noir et Blanc recreates a palette of a landscape of contrasts, with the dazzling cultured pearlscomplementingabackdropofsapphires,turquoisesandemeralds, evoking the very shore of the sea itself. This piece, however, has a secret - a skilfully positioned clasp, hidden expertly by the crown cabochons and finishing touches which allows forthebracelet’sflexiblestructure,mouldingittothewristofitswearer. LastbutnotleastistheNaguerNoiretBlancclip,inspiredbytheFrench name of the sea fromwhichVanCleef &Arpels drew this collection. Whitegoldcombineswithdiamonds,sapphires,blackspinelsandonyx, astrikingcombinationofmaterialsthathighlightstheremarkable,three- dimensional craftsmanship that went into this piece. The body is engraved with onyx to emulate the texture of fish scales, a creaturewhichhaslongbeenamotifintheworkofVanCleef&Arpels; alternating black spinels and diamonds unfurl as fins with astonishing realism - imbuing the creation with a peaceful and fluid sense of movement.