Across the AGES

Tracing Van Cleef & Arpels' stylistic history, Legend of Diamonds-White Diamond Variations offers decade by decade reinterpretations of the maison's pure diamond creations.

- JESSLYN LYE

Born of a marriage between the daughter of a gemstone merchant and the son of a lapidary, Van Cleef & Arpels has long held gemstones close to its heart. Since its inception in 1906, it has celebrated the beauty and brilliance of gemstones through elegant pieces imbued with artistry. But if there were just one stone that holds a permanent place in its stylish designs, it would be the diamond.

The first jewellery piece sold by Van Cleef & Arpels was a heart pendant set with brilliant-cut diamonds—and since then, its most exemplary creations have spotlighted the magnificence of the stone. A worthy symbol of the precious arts, the diamond continues to inspire the maison across various themes, from nature to couture.

It is this reverence for the gemstone that shapes the Legend of Diamonds collection. The second chapter, themed White Diamond Variations, pays homage to the timeless splendour of the stone and the creative history of the jewellery house.

The collection begins with the 1920s—an era determined by geometric principles and contrasting colours of the art deco movement. Flapper style being on the rise in those years, Van Cleef & Arpels cleverly accentuated those draping outfits with elegant long necklaces that combined diamonds with precious or ornamental stones.