Van Cleef & Arpels has done it again! With its latest jewellery collection, aptly named Treasure Island, the Maison has crafted a bejewelled saga of a high-seas adventure and an audacious quest for hidden treasure. And we are all left bedazzled!
Treasure Island High Jewellery Collection
Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the 125 piece collection brings to life the story of a treasure hunt. The adventure begins with a fantastic sea voyage populated with mermaids and pirates and concludes on a mysterious tropical island – a paradise of lush greenery and verdant nature.
As a jewellery Maison, Van Cleef & Arpels has often taken inspiration and aesthetic direction the world of literature. In the recent past, it immortalized Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet through a figurative high jewellery collection and sailed around the world with Jules Verne in its Extraordinary Voyages collection.
But Treasure Island is different – it isn’t just a high jewellery collection, it’s a visceral experience that stirs emotions and nostalgic memories of happy childhoods and make-believe adventures.
“We have tried to bring Treasure Island to life in a playful and entertaining way with a high jewelry collection which I believe awakens a feeling of joy,” notes Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Treasure Island Chapters
The collection is divided into three chapters: The Adventure at Sea, Exploring the Island, and The Treasure Hunt. On their own, each chapter stands alone, yet together they weave an unforgettable story of high jewellery craftsmanship, artistic creativity and boundless whimsy.
And colour, deeply saturated and radiantly alive, runs as a golden thread through this adventure epic. “Every stone has a soul of its own,” Claude Arpels had once observed, as he travelled to different corners of the world searching for the finest coloured gemstones. For over a century, coloured gemstones have been the beating heart of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations. And they continue to pulsate in the Treasure Island collection.
Chapter 1: The Adventure at Sea
The jewellery pieces in this chapter explore the breathtaking wonders of the aquatic world, while speaking the language of navigation. Tumultuous seas, jauntily attired pirates and impressively crafted sailing ships ensnare jewellery lovers into a world of fantasy and make-believe fun. In addition, nautical icons, which have long been part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ archival and patrimonial collection, find refreshing new iterations here.
One of the highlights of this chapter is the Écume Mystérieuse necklace. Referencing the marine genre of paintings that were popular from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the necklace depicts ocean waves through undulating, superimposed lines of diamonds, against a backdrop of mystery-set deep blue sapphires. The necklace leaves the overall impression of a foamy, roiling sea, crafted meticulously with gold and gems.
Another equally riveting piece is the Hispaniola clip. As the name suggests, the clip represents the eponymous ship and is a jewelled homage to the romance of the buccaneering age. Diamond-set sails billowing in the wind, evoke the linen sail cloth of the ships of that time. This feat is made possible by the interplay of vertical and horizontal lines in which the diamonds are set, creating an effect of three-dimensional volume.
The Poissons Mystérieux brooch is another exceptional piece, a jewelled depiction of a school of fish. This is a familiar sight for our adventurers who witness it often as they sail towards the far horizon. Set with buff-topped sapphires in a gradation of blue and violet tones, the brooch captures the beauty of underwater life in a harmonious melody of colour, craftsmanship and creativity.
Chapter 2: Exploring the Island
The next chapter progresses to the island itself, as jewellery lovers collect sea shells on the golden beaches and revel in the luxuriant splendour of the lush tropical vegetation and colourful fauna of this veritable paradise.
Of note is the Coquillage Mystérieux brooch, which is a masterpiece of concept and execution. It elevates the humble sea shell to high jewellery through exceptional design and breathtaking craftsmanship. The surface of the brooch is a velvety carpet of diamonds and pink sapphire. A crown of mystery set, buff-topped rubies lined by diamonds, creates a dramatic finish.
But turn it around, and the story changes. On the reverse side, the delicate silhouette of a fairy is revealed. Holding a luminous green emerald in its hands, it perches atop a white cultured pearl. Part jewellery, part jewelled sculpture, this brooch is a tour de force of craftsmanship, featuring various setting techniques that complement each other: rail, grain, nail, semi-closed and cornered. Exquisitely lovely, and very quintessentially Van Cleef & Arpels.
Chapter 3: The Treasure Hunt
Finally, the pirates come upon what they had been seeking all along – the hidden treasure. The treasure conveys its own story, filled with precious gems collected from the four corners of the world. Suffice to say that each piece in this chapter is imbued with colour and details the immaculate artistry of the craftsmen at the Maison’s atelier.
The Coffre Précieux ring exclusively features the gemstones that have traditionally been regarded as “precious” – diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. The ring’s shape itself is reminiscent of a treasure chest, hence the name!
Similarly, the Dorestad ring pays homage to one of the Middle Age’s most well-known ports, with a yellow sapphire of intense hue, sharp clarity and impressive size (13.87 carats). The emerald cut of this yellow sapphire enhances its pristine brilliance. It’s no wonder that this stone was nicknamed “tiny sun” by the Van Cleef & Arpels’ expert gemmologists!
The Palmier Mystérieux Clip
If there were one piece that beautifully summed up the Treasure Island collection it would be the Palmier Mystérieux Clip. This transformable clip features a palm tree, crafted from 18k rose gold, with its fronds adorned with mystery-set emeralds and diamonds. What makes this clip truly enchanting are the three detachable motifs that enhance its appeal even more.
Each motif symbolizes a different chapter of this adventure saga – a boat of diamonds riding the high seas, a yellow-gold morning sun rising at the horizon and an open treasure chest brimming with precious stones. The sheer brilliance of design and workmanship of this brooch is enough to leave you speechless!
How the Treasure Island Collection reflects Van Cleef & Arpels’ Brand Personality and Affects Brand Sentiment
The Treasure Island collection aligns perfectly with Van Cleef & Arpels’ brand personality, reinforcing its reputation as a Maison of dreams, poetry, and high-end craftsmanship. This is because the collection helps the brand tap into the emotions of jewellery lovers, through romance, adventure and nostalgia. These very emotions help foster a stronger bond between jewellery lovers and the Van Cleef & Arpels brand.
In addition, the meticulous craftsmanship reinforces the perception of Van Cleef & Arpels as a brand that values quality, creativity, and heritage. This too evokes positive sentiments among jewellery lovers for the brand, which in turn strengthens customer trust and loyalty.
The collection is a jewelled retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island which perfectly aligns with the Maison’s tradition of storytelling through high jewellery. The collection also balances sophistication with playful whimsy, reflecting the Maison’s personality traits of timeless elegance and artistic creativity.
All in all, the Treasure Island collection reinforces the brand’s personality of an imaginative and poetic storyteller. What’s more, intricate and detailed designs and rare gemstones used in the collection reaffirm the brand’s image of a luxury jewellery brand.
