Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

1 0 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I As is to be expected with all Van Cleef & Arpels creations, the diamonds are chosen according to the strictest criteria. In the brand’s own words, “Van Cleef & Arpels selects diamonds of the highest quality for its pieces. The same meticulous attention is paid to central stones and paved surfaces alike: rated D, E or F for colour and IF to VVS2 for clarity, the diamonds complement one another to endow the creations with an exceptional intensity.” The collection of white jewellery, which combines immaculate diamonds with white gold or platinum, is something of a revival of style which was notably popular during the Art Deco period and again in the 1950s and 1960s. The Snowflake necklace with its diamond flakes is unveiled alongside the Lotus collection and the À Cheval High Jewellery pieces. Every detail – from the design of the jewel mounting and the setting of the stones right through to the final polish – is executed to highlight the dazzling clarity and quality of the diamonds in these creations. The À Cheval creations really stand out for their arresting purity; the effect is almost hypnotic. Due to the deployment of a relief setting technique, the stones are carefully superimposed to create a remarkable effect of brilliance. This specific technique inspired the name of the collection when it was created 35 years ago – À Cheval also means ‘on both sides’. Today it takes centre-stage once more, bringing together a transformable necklace, a bracelet, earrings and a haute horlogerie watch. The founders would surely approve, especially as Claude Arpels once said, “Every stone has a soul of its own.”